NJ A5427

Removes the presumption of pretrial release for defendants charged with sex offenses when the alleged victim is under 18 years of age

Sex offenses covered include those defined under Megan's Law (N.J.S.A. 2C:7-2), which encompasses crimes like sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and other registerable offenses

Currently, New Jersey's Criminal Justice Reform Law presumes some form of pretrial release for most defendants, with exceptions only for murder, crimes carrying life imprisonment, and certain motor vehicle theft offenses

Courts would still evaluate these defendants for release but without the automatic presumption favoring release, giving prosecutors greater ability to argue for detention

The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment