Bill Text: NJ A2397 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Authorizes development and operation of computer system which would allow electronic access to outstanding arrest warrant information.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-06 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee [A2397 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A2397-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman CRAIG J. COUGHLIN
District 19 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes development and operation of computer system which would allow electronic access to outstanding arrest warrant information.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning access to certain court records and supplementing Title 2B of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Administrative Office of the Courts is authorized to develop and operate an automated system containing outstanding arrest warrant information that is accessible to the public through the official judiciary website. The automated system shall interface with the Automated Complaint System and the Automated Traffic System and shall allow a person to voluntarily input identifying personal information, as determined by the Supreme Court, which may include but not be limited to a name and address, in order to verify if that person has an outstanding arrest warrant.
b. If an online inquiry made to the automated system reveals that the person has an outstanding warrant for arrest, the automated system shall provide additional information regarding the pending charge against that person, the law enforcement authority with jurisdiction over the outstanding arrest warrant, and any fines, court appearances, or other method by which the person making the inquiry is able to effectuate the recall of the outstanding warrant.
c. In allowing access to outstanding warrant information pursuant to subsection a. of this section the judiciary web site shall provide necessary instructions, explanations, notices, and other information to any person attempting to obtain outstanding arrest warrant information to enable that person to accurately and effectively complete the online inquiry through the automated system.
d. The Administrative Office of the Courts is authorized to incorporate any other content and security features, in consultation with the New Jersey State Police and the Office of Information Technology, that is necessary for the proper, secure, and effective functioning of the automated system established pursuant to subsection a. of this section.
e. The Supreme Court may issues Rules of Court to effectuate the purposes of this act.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill authorizes the Administrative Office of the Courts to develop and operate an automated system containing outstanding arrest warrant information that is accessible to the public through the official judiciary website. The automated system is required to allow a person to input certain identifying information, to be determined by the Supreme Court, in order to make an inquiry as to whether he or she has an outstanding warrant for arrest. If the person's inquiry reveals that he or she has an outstanding arrest warrant, the system is required to provide additional information regarding the pending charge, the law enforcement authority with jurisdiction over the outstanding arrest warrant, and any fines, court appearances, or other method by which the person making the inquiry is able to effectuate the recall of the outstanding warrant.
In many instances, people are unaware that they have an arrest warrant issued under their name until they are actually placed under arrest by a law enforcement officer. The purpose of this bill is to allow a person who may be unsure if a warrant has been issued for his or her arrest to be notified online, and to take any action necessary to have the warrant recalled.
