New Jersey Statutes 30:4-27.25. Findings, declarations relative to sexually violent predators
Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 30:4-27.25
- person: includes corporations, companies, associations, societies, firms, partnerships and joint stock companies as well as individuals, unless restricted by the context to an individual as distinguished from a corporate entity or specifically restricted to one or some of the above enumerated synonyms and, when used to designate the owner of property which may be the subject of an offense, includes this State, the United States, any other State of the United States as defined infra and any foreign country or government lawfully owning or possessing property within this State. See New Jersey Statutes 1:1-2
a. Certain individuals who commit sex offenses suffer from mental abnormalities or personality disorders which make them likely to engage in repeat acts of predatory sexual violence if not treated for their mental conditions.
b. Under the existing involuntary commitment procedure, persons are subject to commitment if they are mentally ill and dangerous to self, others or property. “Mental illness” is a current, substantial disturbance of thought, mood, perception or orientation which significantly impairs judgment, capacity to control behavior or capacity to recognize reality, which causes the person to be dangerous to self, others or property. The nature of the mental condition from which a sexually violent predator may suffer may not always lend itself to characterization under the existing statutory standard, although civil commitment may nonetheless be warranted due to the danger the person may pose to others as a result of the mental condition.
c. Therefore, it is necessary to modify the involuntary civil commitment process in recognition of the need for commitment of those sexually violent predators who pose a danger to others should they be returned to society.
d. Moreover, because of the nature of the mental conditions from which sexually violent predators suffer and the danger they present, it is necessary to house involuntarily committed sexually violent predators in an environment separate from persons committed under P.L.1987, c.116 (C. 30:4-27.1 et seq.) or otherwise confined.
L.1998, c.71, s.2.