Bill Text: NJ A3102 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Authorizes development and operation of computer system which would allow electronic access to outstanding arrest warrant information.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee [A3102 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2024-A3102-Introduced.html

ASSEMBLY, No. 3102

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  CRAIG J. COUGHLIN

District 19 (Middlesex)

Assemblyman  WILLIAM W. SPEARMAN

District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Authorizes development and operation of computer system which would allow electronic access to outstanding arrest warrant information.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

  


An Act concerning access to certain court records and supplementing Title 2B of the New Jersey Statutes. 

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  The Administrative Office of the Courts is authorized to develop and operate an automated system containing outstanding arrest warrant information that is accessible to the public through the official judiciary website.  The automated system shall interface with the Automated Complaint System and the Automated Traffic System and shall allow a person to voluntarily input identifying personal information, as determined by the Supreme Court, may in order to verify if that person has an outstanding arrest warrant. 

     b.    If an online inquiry made to the automated system reveals that the person has an outstanding warrant for arrest, the automated system shall provide additional information regarding the pending charge against that person, the law enforcement authority with jurisdiction over the outstanding arrest warrant, and any fines, court appearances, or other method by which the person making the inquiry is able to effectuate the recall of the outstanding warrant. 

     c.     In allowing access to outstanding warrant information pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the judiciary website shall provide necessary instructions, explanations, notices, and other information to any person attempting to obtain outstanding arrest warrant information to enable that person to accurately and effectively complete the online inquiry through the automated system. 

     d.    The Administrative Office of the Courts is authorized to incorporate any other content and security features, in consultation with the New Jersey State Police and the Office of Information Technology, that is necessary for the proper, secure, and effective functioning of the automated system established pursuant to subsection a. of this section. 

     e.     The Supreme Court may issue Rules of Court to effectuate the purposes of this act. 

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately. 

 

 

STATEMENT

 

      This bill authorizes the Administrative Office of the Courts to develop and operate an automated system containing outstanding arrest warrant information that is accessible to the public through the official judiciary website. 

      Under the bill, the automated system is required to allow a person to input certain identifying information in order to make an inquiry as to whether the person has an outstanding arrest warrant.  If the inquiry reveals that the person has an outstanding arrest warrant, the system is required to provide additional information regarding the pending charge, the law enforcement authority with jurisdiction over the outstanding arrest warrant, and any fines, court appearances, or other information concerning the person's ability to effectuate the recall of the outstanding warrant.

     In many instances, a person may be unaware of the issuance of an arrest warrant until the person actually is placed under arrest by a law enforcement officer.  The purpose of this bill is to allow a person who may be unsure if an arrest warrant has been issued to be notified online, and to take any action necessary to have the warrant recalled. 

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