New Jersey Statutes 2C:35-14.2. Sentence of special probation for certain defendants
Attorney's Note
Under the New Jersey Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| crime of the third degree | between 3 and 5 years | up to $15,000 |
Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 2C:35-14.2
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Person: means any corporation, association, partnership, trust, other institution or entity, or one or more individuals. See New Jersey Statutes 2C:35-2
- Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
- Presentence report: A report prepared by a court's probation officer, after a person has been convicted of an offense, summarizing for the court the background information needed to determine the appropriate sentence. Source: U.S. Courts
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
- State: means the State of New Jersey. See New Jersey Statutes 2C:35-2
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
b. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, where the court finds that a defendant is a person in need of treatment as defined in subsection f. of this section and that the defendant additionally meets all the requirements of N.J.S.2C:35-14, the court shall sentence a defendant to special probation pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S. 2C:35-14 for the purpose of participating in a court-supervised drug treatment program, regardless of whether the defendant has sought or consents to such a sentence, unless:
(1) the court finds that a sentence of imprisonment must be imposed consistent with the provisions of chapters 43 and 44 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, in which case a sentence of imprisonment shall be imposed; or
(2) the court is clearly convinced that:
(a) the treatment, monitoring, and supervision services that will be provided under N.J.S. 2C:45-1 are adequate to address the defendant’s clinical needs;
(b) the defendant’s treatment needs would not be better addressed by sentencing the defendant to special probation pursuant to N.J.S.2C:35-14;
(c) no danger to the community would result from placing the person on regular probation pursuant to N.J.S.2C:45-1; and
(d) a sentence of probation authorized under N.J.S. 2C:45-1 would be consistent with the provisions of chapters 43 and 44 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.
c. In making the findings and determinations required by this section, the court shall consider all relevant circumstances, and shall take judicial notice of any evidence, testimony, or information adduced at the trial, plea hearing, or other court proceedings, and also shall also consider the presentence report and the results of any professional diagnostic assessment. The court shall place on the record the reasons for its decision.
d. If, pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection b. of this section, the court imposes a sentence of probation authorized by N.J.S.2C:45-1, such sentence shall not become final for 10 days in order to permit the appeal of the sentence by the prosecution.
e. Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the presumption of imprisonment contained in subsection d. of N.J.S. 2C:44-1 or to require or authorize the reduction or waiver of a mandatory period of parole ineligibility required by law, or to modify the exceptions to such requirements provided for by law, including but not limited to those provided in N.J.S. 2C:35-12 and N.J.S. 2C:35-14
f. For the purposes of this section, the term “person in need of treatment” means a defendant who:
(1) the court has determined to be a drug dependent person as defined in N.J.S.2C:35-2;
(2) has been convicted of:
(a) a crime that is subject to a presumption of imprisonment pursuant to subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:44-1; or
(b) any other crime of the third degree if the person has previously been convicted of a crime subject to a presumption of imprisonment or a crime that resulted in the imposition of a State prison term; and
(3) is eligible to be considered for a sentence to special probation pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S. 2C:35-14
L.2012, c.23, s.2.