Notable new sentencing reform recommendations from New Jersey commission

As reported in this local article, New Jersey’s Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission this week issued its annual report that makes four notable sentencing recommendations. Here are details and context:

The group, which is made up of representatives from every facet of New Jersey’s criminal justice system along with designees from all three of New Jersey’s branches of government, is chaired by Chris Porrino of Lowenstein Sandler, and the former attorney general for the state of New Jersey.

Tasked with making recommendations to Gov. Phil Murphy and the Legislature on a yearly basis to promote a “rational, just, and proportionate sentencing scheme,” the group also offered [these] recommendations: …

1. Eliminate some mandatory minimums….

2. Allow sentencing judges to consider the fact that a person was abused by the victim of their crime….

3. Allow those who have served long sentences and have aged past 60 (or 62 in some cases) to apply for a reduced sentence….

4. Permit judges to reduce or waive fines and other fees assessed against those convicted of crimes

This additional local article, headlined “Ending mandatory sentences for non-violent drug crimes back in play in N.J.,” provides some additional details and context.

UPDATE:  I just found this online version of the letter that was sent to Gov Murphy with the reform recommendations.  Notably, it seems none of thise years recommendations are new, but they are all reiterations of recommendations previously made in prior reports from New Jersey’s Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission.