N.J. Admin. Code § 10A:71-3.48

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 10A:71-3.48 - Victim input

(a) Any victim injured as a result of a crime of the first or second degree or the nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim shall be entitled to present a written or videotaped statement for the parole report, filed pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.7, to be considered during the parole hearing process, to present testimony to a senior hearing officer designated by the Board panel, to present testimony to the Board panel or to present testimony to the Board, if a hearing is conducted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.1 9, concerning the victim's harm. Upon the request of a victim or the nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim or at the discretion of a Board panel or the Board, a copy of the parole report, except information, documents, reports, records or other written materials deemed confidential pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-2.2, prepared pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.7 shall be provided to the victim or the nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim.

(b) The term "victim" shall mean a person who suffers a personal, physical or psychological injury or death or incurs loss of or injury to personal or real property as a result of a crime of the first or second degree committed against that person, or in the case of murder/manslaughter, the nearest relative of the victim. In the case of a minor, victim shall also mean the minor's parent(s) or guardian.

(c) The term "nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim" shall mean a spouse, parent, grandparent, stepfather, stepmother, child, grandchild, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, guardian of a minor, domestic partner, or civil union partner.

(d) At the time of sentencing, the prosecutor shall notify any victim injured as a result of a crime of the first or second degree or the nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim of the opportunity to present a written or videotaped statement for the parole report to be considered during the parole hearing process, to present testimony to a senior hearing officer designated by the Board panel, to present testimony to the Board panel, or to present testimony to the Board, if a hearing is conducted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.1 9, concerning the victim's harm.

(e) Each victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim shall be responsible for notifying the Board of his or her intent to submit a written or videotaped statement, or to testify, and to provide and keep current an appropriate mailing address.

(f) The written or videotaped statement or testimony of the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim may include the following:

1. The continuing nature and extent of any physical, psychological or emotional harm or trauma suffered;

2. The extent of any loss of earnings or ability to work suffered by the victim; and

3. The continuing effect of the crime upon the victim's family.

(g) At the time public notice is given pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.8, the Board shall notify any victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim who has previously contacted the Board of the opportunity to provide a written or videotaped statement for inclusion in the parole report or to present testimony to a senior hearing officer designated by the Board panel, to the Board panel or to the Board, if a hearing is conducted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.1 9. The Board shall notify such person at the address of record.

(h) The victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim shall notify the Board within 30 days from the date of the notice provided pursuant to (g) above of his or her intent to submit a written or videotaped statement or to testify before a senior hearing officer designated by the Board panel, before the Board panel or before the Board, if a hearing is conducted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.1 9. This time period may be waived by the Board for good cause.

(i) Upon the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim submitting a written statement to the Board subsequent to notice being provided pursuant to (g) above, the statement shall be made a part of the Board's file on the inmate and the inmate's case shall be referred to a hearing officer designated to conduct parole release hearings pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.1 4.

(j) Upon the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim informing the Board subsequent to notice being provided pursuant to (g) above that such person intends to testify before a senior hearing officer designated by the Board panel, the Chairperson shall assign the inmate's case to a senior hearing officer for the purpose of receiving such person's testimony. The case shall be processed as follows:

1. Except as provided in N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.5 1, the assigned senior hearing officer shall conduct a hearing within 30 days from the date the Board received notification of the intent to offer testimony.

2. The hearing shall be conducted at a time and place and on a date determined by the Chairperson or designee. Notice of the time, place and date of the hearing shall be provided to the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim in writing and shall be mailed at least 14 days prior to the hearing date.

3. The hearing shall be recorded by an electronic recording device.

4. The senior hearing officer shall notify the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim of the right to have his or her testimony videotaped.

5. The senior hearing officer shall prepare a written report, except when testimony is videotaped, within 14 days of the hearing date. A copy of the report or, if requested, a copy of the videotaped recording of the offered testimony, shall be forwarded to the person offering testimony. A copy of the report or the videotape recording of the offered testimony shall be made a part of the Board's file on the inmate.

6. Upon completion of the hearing in which the victim's testimony is videotaped or upon the completion of the written report, the inmate's case shall be referred to a hearing officer designated to conduct parole release hearings pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.1 4.

7. The hearing scheduled pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted, when possible, prior to a parole release hearing and prior to the appropriate Board member(s), Board panel or the Board rendering a decision pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.1 6 and 3.18. However, nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the Board from conducting a timely parole release hearing.

8. During the hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection, only the senior hearing officer, appropriate Board personnel and the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim shall be present in the hearing room. If deemed necessary by the senior hearing officer, a translator may be permitted to assist in the hearing or a family member may be permitted to assist a minor, elderly or infirm victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim in the hearing. The senior hearing officer may also permit an individual to be present in the hearing room for the limited purpose of providing emotional support to the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim.

(k) Upon the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim informing the Board, subsequent to notice being provided pursuant to (g) above, that such person intends to testify before the Board panel, the case shall be processed as follows:

1. Victim input shall be received by the Board panel on the date of the inmate's scheduled hearing before the Board panel and at the designated institution. However, if deemed appropriate by the Board panel, the victim input may be received by the Board panel at a place and on a date other than at the institution in which the inmate is confined and on the date of the inmate's scheduled hearing before the Board panel. If the two Board panel members cannot reach agreement on an alternate place and date, the matter shall be referred to the Chairperson for a final decision.

2. The victim input segment of the Board panel hearing shall be conducted, with the consent of the Department, in the administrative area of the institution.

3. Notice of the time, place and date of the Board panel hearing shall be provided to the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim in writing and shall be mailed at least 14 days prior to the hearing date.

4. The victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim shall be required to confirm with the Board their appearance before the Board panel seven days prior to the hearing date.

5. Upon confirmation by the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim of their appearance before the Board panel, the Board shall notify the Department of the identities of the person(s) who will appear before the Board panel on the scheduled hearing date.

6. The Board shall notify the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim that appropriate personal identification is required by the Department in order to enter the institution.

7. During the victim input segment of the Board panel hearing, the Board panel shall permit the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim a reasonable opportunity to present information relative to the factors outlined in (f) above or any other information relevant to the Board panel's consideration of the inmate's case. The Board panel shall, in recognition of the number of hearings to be conducted on the hearing date, be permitted to establish a reasonable time period(s) for the presentation of information.

8. The victim input segment of the Board panel hearing shall be recorded by an electronic recording device and said recording shall be maintained as part of the Board's file on the inmate's case.

9. If a Board panel hearing is cancelled, the Board panel shall provide immediate notification of the cancellation to the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim. The Board panel shall provide reasonable notice of the time, place and date of the Board panel hearing upon the hearing being rescheduled.

10. In the victim input segment of the Board panel hearing, only the Board members, appropriate Board personnel and victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim shall be present in the hearing room. If deemed necessary by the Board panel, a translator may be permitted to assist in the hearing or a family member may be permitted to assist a minor, elderly or infirm victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim in the hearing. The Board panel may also permit an individual to be present in the hearing room for the limited purpose of providing emotional support to the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim.

11. If a victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim provides notice of their inability to attend the Board panel hearing on the scheduled date, the hearing shall be conducted as scheduled. However, if the hearing on the scheduled date is cancelled, the Board panel shall provide reasonable notice of the time, place and date of the Board panel hearing upon the hearing being rescheduled.

12. Upon the conclusion of the victim input segment of the Board panel hearing, the Board panel shall reconvene the hearing with the inmate present in the hearing room designated by the Department. In the inmate segment of the Board panel hearing, the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim shall not be present in the hearing room.

(l) If a hearing is conducted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.19, the Board shall notify the nearest relative of a murder victim, who has previously contacted the Board, of the hearing and shall afford the nearest relative of a murder victim the opportunity to testify in person before the Board or to submit a written or videotaped statement. If the nearest relative of a murder victim intends to testify before the Board, the case shall be processed as follows:

1. Victim input shall be received by the Board on the date of the inmate's scheduled hearing before the Board and at the designated institution.

2. The victim input segment of the Board hearing shall be conducted, with the consent of the Department, in the administrative area of the institution.

3. Notice of the time, place and date of the Board hearing shall be provided to the nearest relative of a murder victim in writing and shall be mailed at least 14 days prior to the hearing date.

4. The nearest relative of a murder victim shall be required to confirm with the Board their appearance before the Board seven days prior to the hearing date.

5. Upon confirmation by the nearest relative of a murder victim of their appearance before the Board, the Board shall notify the Department of the identities of the person(s) who will appear before the Board on the scheduled hearing date.

6. The Board shall notify the nearest relative of a murder victim that appropriate personal identification is required by the Department in order to enter the institution.

7. During the victim input segment of the Board hearing, the Board shall permit the nearest relative of a murder victim a reasonable opportunity to present information relative to the factors outlined in (f) above or any other information relevant to the Board's consideration of the inmate's case. The Board shall, in recognition of the number of hearings to be conducted on the hearing date, establish a reasonable time period(s) for the presentation of information.

8. The victim input segment of the Board hearing shall be recorded by an electronic recording device and said recording shall be maintained as part of the Board's file on the inmate's case.

9. If a Board hearing is cancelled, the Board shall provide immediate notification of the cancellation to the nearest relative of a murder victim. The Board shall provide reasonable notice of the time, place and date of the Board hearing upon the hearing being rescheduled.

10. In the victim input segment of the Board hearing, only the Board members, appropriate Board personnel and the nearest relative of a murder victim shall be present in the hearing room. If deemed necessary by the Board, a translator may be permitted to assist in the hearing or a family member may be permitted to assist a minor, elderly or infirm nearest relative of a murder victim in the hearing. The Board may also permit an individual to be present in the hearing room for the limited purpose of providing emotional support to the nearest relative of a murder victim.

11. If a nearest relative of a murder victim provides notice of their inability to attend the Board hearing on the scheduled date, the hearing shall be conducted as scheduled. However, if the hearing on the scheduled date is cancelled, the Board shall provide reasonable notice of the time, place and date of the Board hearing upon the hearing being rescheduled.

12. Upon the conclusion of the victim input segment of the Board hearing, the Board shall reconvene the hearing with the inmate present in the hearing room designated by the Department. In the inmate segment of the Board hearing, the nearest relative of a murder victim shall not be present in the hearing room.

(m) If notice pursuant to (h) above is received subsequent to the conducting of an initial parole hearing but prior to a decision being rendered in the inmate's case, the appropriate Board member(s), Board panel or the Board shall not render a decision in the inmate's case until a written or videotaped statement is received and made a part of the Board's file on the inmate, a hearing has been conducted pursuant to (j) above and the videotape recording or the written report prepared and made a part of the Board's file or a hearing has been conducted pursuant to (k) above. If it is the intent of the victim or the relative of a murder/manslaughter victim to submit a written statement, as evidenced by the notification to the Board pursuant to (h) above, the written statement must be submitted and received by the Board within 30 days of the date of the Board having received the initial notification of intent or the appropriate Board member(s), Board panel or the Board may proceed to render a decision in the inmate's case.

(n) If notice pursuant to (h) above is received subsequent to the rendering of a decision certifying parole release, the appropriate Board member(s), Board panel, or the Board shall suspend the parole release date pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-5.1, pending the receipt of a written statement or the completion of a hearing pursuant to (j) above, and the submission of a report or videotape recording or a hearing has been conducted pursuant to (k) above. If it is the intent of the victim or the relative of a murder/manslaughter victim to submit a written statement, as evidenced by the notification to the Board pursuant to (h) above, the written statement must be submitted and received by the Board within 30 days of the date of the Board having received the initial notification of intent or the appropriate Board member(s), Board panel, or the Board may rescind the suspension of the parole release date.

1. Within 14 days of submission of a written statement, the report of the designated senior hearing officer or the videotape recording of the offered testimony or the completion of the hearing pursuant to (k) above, the Board member(s), Board panel, or Board shall:

i. Evaluate the information provided;

ii. Determine whether the decision shall be affirmed or modified;

iii. Determine whether a rescission hearing shall be conducted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-5; and

iv. Notify the inmate and the Department in writing of its decision.

(o) Any and all statements or testimony of the victim or nearest relative of a murder/manslaughter victim submitted to the Board pertaining to the continuing nature and extent of any physical harm or psychological or emotional harm or trauma suffered by the victim, the extent of any loss of earnings or ability to work suffered by the victim and the continuing effect of the crime upon the victim's family shall be deemed confidential pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-2.2.

(p) The provisions of this section, except for public notice required pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.8 and except for testifying before the Board panel and Board, shall be applicable to the cases of county inmates.

(q) Nothing in this section shall preclude the Board from receiving statements or testimony from any victim injured as a result of a crime of the third or fourth degree or the nearest relative of a victim. However, statements shall be submitted in writing to the Board and testimony shall be received by a designated senior hearing officer pursuant to (j) above.

(r) A victim or the nearest relative of a victim who has submitted a written or videotaped statement for the parole report or testified at a hearing pursuant to this section shall be notified by the appropriate Board panel or the Board of the final decision rendered in the inmate's case.

N.J. Admin. Code § 10A:71-3.48

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 1154(a), effective 4/16/2018

Amended by 53 N.J.R. 1383(b), effective 8/16/2021