NJ: More Than Half Those with Two or More Prior Arrests Reoffended

 

Pretrial release reforms and outcomes

Many jurisdictions have implemented bail reform, which changes how defendants are released before trial. Studies have looked at how these reforms affect reoffending rates.

• New Jersey's bail reform: One report found that rearrest rates for serious offenses remained low (below 1%) after the state reformed its bail system. However, the report also found that more than half of individuals who had charges pending from two prior arrests reoffended, highlighting the challenge of high-risk offenders.
• Focus on high-risk vs. low-risk offenders: Some reforms aim to reduce the number of low-level offenders held in jail pretrial while allowing judges to keep high-risk offenders detained. This approach recognizes the varied risks defendants pose and seeks to balance fairness with public safety. 
• AI Overview

Rearrest rates for serious offenses have hovered below 1% for each year since 2018, the report says, and more than 80% of those released pretrial finished their pretrial period without rearrest.

But more than half of individuals who had charges pending from two prior arrests reoffended, according to the report.

https://newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/bail-reform-panel-recommends-stricter-rules-for-repeat-offenders/