New Jersey Gov. signs legislation enhancing rights for families of murder victims

Hours ago Governor Christie signed into law enhancements to the "Crime Victims' Bill of Rights." The legislation signed today will ensure:

• Victims are notified about the progress of their case, including any changes in the court schedule, and status of plea bargain negotiations earlier in the process.
• Protection from harassment or abuse by defendants or their supporters.
• Medical assistance that is related to the crime.

Richard Pompelio, executive director of the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Law Center, calls this the most important new law in the history of victims’ rights for over a decade and a half.

EJUSA's friends and partners, New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (NJADP), advocated for this legislation for two years. New Jersey ended its death penalty in 2007 but NJADP is around and still committed to seeing that New Jersey responds to violence in ways that actually work and make things better for victims' families and the community at large. This success shows that persistence pays off.

You can read more about the new legislation here.