New Jersey-2012-S553-Introduced

An Act concerning juveniles and revising various parts of the statutory law.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 2 of P.L.1982, c.77 (C.2A:4A-21) is amended to read as follows:

2. Purposes. This act shall be construed so as to effectuate the following purposes:

a. To preserve the unity of the family whenever possible and to provide for the care, protection, and wholesome mental and physical development of juveniles coming within the provisions of this act;

b. Consistent with the protection of the public interest, to remove from children committing delinquent acts certain statutory consequences of criminal behavior, and to substitute therefor an adequate program of supervision, care and rehabilitation, and a range of sanctions designed to promote accountability and protect the public;

c. To separate juveniles from the family environment only when necessary for their health, safety or welfare or in the interests of public safety;

d. To secure for each child coming under the jurisdiction of the court such care, guidance and control, preferably in his own home, as will conduce to the child's welfare and the best interests of the State; and when such child is removed from his own family, to secure for him custody, care and discipline as nearly as possible equivalent to that which should have been given by his parents;

e. To insure that children under the jurisdiction of the court are wards of the State, subject to the discipline and entitled to the protection of the State, which may intervene to safeguard them from neglect or injury and to enforce the legal obligations due to them and from them; [and]

f. Consistent with the protection of the public interest, to insure that any services and sanctions for juveniles provide balanced attention to the protection of the community, the imposition of accountability for offenses committed, fostering interaction and dialogue between the offender, victim and community and the development of competencies to enable children to become responsible and productive members of the community; and

g. To insure protection and a safe environment for those sexually exploited juveniles who are charged with prostitution or who are alleged to be victims of human trafficking; and to provide these juveniles with the appropriate shelter, care, counseling and crisis intervention services from the time they are taken into custody and for the duration of any legal proceedings.

(cf: P.L.2001, c.408, s.1).

2. Section 3 of P.L.1982, c.77 (C.2A:4A-22) is amended to read as follows:

3. General definitions. As used in this act:

a. "Juvenile" means an individual who is under the age of 18 years.

b. "Adult" means an individual 18 years of age or older.

c. "Detention" means the temporary care of juveniles in physically restricting facilities pending court disposition.

d. "Shelter care" means the temporary care of juveniles in facilities without physical restriction pending court disposition.

e. "Commit" means to transfer legal custody to an institution.

f. "Guardian" means a person, other than a parent, to whom legal custody of the child has been given by court order or who is acting in the place of the parent or is responsible for the care and welfare of the juvenile.

g. "Juvenile-family crisis" means behavior, conduct or a condition of a juvenile, parent or guardian or other family member which presents or results in (1) a serious threat to the well-being and physical safety of a juvenile, or (2) a serious conflict between a parent or guardian and a juvenile regarding rules of conduct which has been manifested by repeated disregard for lawful parental authority by a juvenile or misuse of lawful parental authority by a parent or guardian, or (3) unauthorized absence by a juvenile for more than 24 hours from his home, or (4) a pattern of repeated unauthorized absences from school by a juvenile subject to the compulsory education provision of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes, or (5) an act which if committed by an adult would constitute prostitution in violation of N.J.S.2C:34-1 or any offense which the juvenile alleges is related to the juvenile being a victim of human trafficking.

h. "Repetitive disorderly persons offense" means the second or more disorderly persons offense committed by a juvenile on at least two separate occasions and at different times.

i. "Court" means the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part unless a different meaning is plainly required.

j. "Commission" means the Juvenile Justice Commission established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1995, c.284 (C.52:17B-170).

(cf: P.L.1995, c.280, s.2)

3. Section 23 of P.L.1982, c.77 (C.2A:4A-42) is amended to read as follows:

23. Predispositional evaluation. a. Before making a disposition, the court may refer the juvenile to an appropriate individual, agency or institution for examination and evaluation.

b. In arriving at a disposition, the court may also consult with such individuals and agencies as may be appropriate to the juvenile's situation, including the county probation division, the Department of Children and Families, the Juvenile Justice Commission established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1995, c.284 (C.52:17B-170), the county youth services commission, school personnel, clergy, law enforcement authorities, family members and other interested and knowledgeable parties. In so doing, the court may convene a predispositional conference to discuss and recommend disposition.

c. (1) The predisposition report ordered pursuant to the Rules of Court may include a statement by the victim of the offense for which the juvenile has been adjudicated delinquent or by the nearest relative of a homicide victim. The statement may include the nature and extent of any physical harm or psychological or emotional harm or trauma suffered by the victim, the extent of any loss to include loss of earnings or ability to work suffered by the victim and the effect of the crime upon the victim's family. The probation division shall notify the victim or nearest relative of a homicide victim of his right to make a statement for inclusion in the predisposition report if the victim or relative so desires. Any statement shall be made within 20 days of notification by the probation division. The report shall further include information on the financial resources of the juvenile. This information shall be made available on request to the Victims of Crime Compensation Board established pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-3) or to any officer authorized under section 3 of P.L.1979, c.396 (C.2C:46-4) to collect payment of an assessment, restitution or fine. [Any predisposition report prepared pursuant to this section shall include an analysis of the circumstances attending the commission of the act, the impact of the offense on the community, the offender's history of delinquency or criminality, family situation, financial resources, the financial resources of the juvenile's parent or guardian, and information concerning the parent or guardian's exercise of supervision and control relevant to commission of the act]

(2) Any predisposition report prepared pursuant to this section shall include:

(a) an analysis of the circumstances attending the commission of the act;

(b) the impact of the offense on the community;

(d) the offender's family situation;

(e) the offender's financial resources;

(f) the financial resources of the juvenile's parent or guardian;

(g) the information concerning the parent or guardian's exercise of supervision and control relevant to commission of the act; and

(h) in any case where the juvenile is charged with an act which if committed by an adult would constitute prostitution in violation of N.J.S.2C:34-1 or any offense which the juvenile alleges is related to the juvenile being a victim of human trafficking, the predisposition report may include any information relevant to the commission of the act.

Information concerning financial resources included in the report shall be made available to any officer authorized to collect payment on any assessment, restitution or fine.

(cf: P.L.2006, c.47, s.17)

4. Section 2 of P.L.1982, c.81 (C.2A:4A-71) is amended to read as follows:

2. Review and processing of complaints.

a. The jurisdiction of the court in any complaint filed pursuant to section 11 of P.L.1982, c.77 (C.2A:4A-30) shall extend to the juvenile who is the subject of the complaint and his parents or guardian.

b. Every complaint shall be reviewed by court intake services for recommendation as to whether the complaint should be dismissed, diverted, or referred for court action. Where the complaint alleges a crime which, if committed by an adult, would be a crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree, or alleges a repetitive disorderly persons offense or any disorderly persons offense defined in chapter 35 or chapter 36 of Title 2C, the complaint shall be referred for court action, unless the prosecutor otherwise consents to diversion. Court intake services shall consider the following factors in determining whether to recommend diversion:

(1) The seriousness of the alleged offense or conduct and the circumstances in which it occurred;

(2) The age and maturity of the juvenile;

(3) The risk that the juvenile presents as a substantial danger to others;

(4) The family circumstances, including any history of drugs, alcohol abuse or child abuse on the part of the juvenile, his parents or guardian;

(5) The nature and number of contacts with court intake services and the court that the juvenile or his family have had;

(6) The outcome of those contacts, including the services to which the juvenile or family have been referred and the results of those referrals;

(7) The availability of appropriate services outside referral to the court;

(8) Any recommendations expressed by the victim or complainant, or arresting officer, as to how the case should be resolved; [and]

(9) Any recommendation expressed by the county prosecutor;

(10) The amenability of the juvenile to participation in a remedial education or counseling program that satisfies the requirements of subsection b. of section 2 of P.L.2011, c.128 (C.2A:4A-71.1) if the offense alleged is an eligible offense as defined in subsection c. of section 2 of P.L.2011, c.128 (C.2A:4A-71.1); and

(11)Any information relevant to the offense in any case where the juvenile is charged with an act which if committed by an adult would constitute prostitution in violation of N.J.S.2C:34-1 or any offense which the juvenile alleges is related to the juvenile being a victim of human trafficking.

(cf: P.L.2011, c.128, s.1)

5. Section 5 of P.L.1982, c.81 (C.2A:4A-74) is amended to read as follows:

5. Court intake service conference. a. Where the juvenile is diverted to a court intake service conference, notices of the conference shall be sent to the juvenile and his parents or guardian and to the complainant or victim. The parties may be requested to bring to the conference all pertinent documents in their possession, including medical, social, and school records.

b. In determining the appropriate resolution of a complaint, the following factors shall be considered by court intake services:

(1) The seriousness of the alleged offense or conduct and the circumstances in which it occurred;

(2) The age and maturity of the juvenile;

(3) The risk that the juvenile presents as a substantial danger to others;

(4) The family circumstances, including any history of drugs, alcohol abuse or child abuse on the part of the juvenile, his parents or guardian;

(5) The nature and number of contacts with court intake services and the court that the juvenile and his family have had;

(6) The outcome of those contacts, including the services to which the juvenile or family have been referred and the results of those referrals;

(7) The availability of appropriate services;

(8) Any recommendations expressed by the victim or complainant, or arresting officer, as to how the case should be disposed;

(9) Whether diversion can be accomplished in a manner that holds the juvenile accountable for the conduct;

(10) The impact of the offense on the victim or victims; [and]

(11) The impact of the offense on the community; and

(12) Any information relevant to the offense in any case where the juvenile is charged with an act which if committed by an adult would constitute prostitution in violation of N.J.S.2C:34-1 or any offense which the juvenile alleges is related to the juvenile being a victim of human trafficking.

c. Each juvenile shall be reviewed without a presumption of guilt. The intake conference shall be concerned primarily with providing balanced attention to the protection of the community, the imposition of accountability for offenses committed, fostering interaction and dialogue between the offender, victim and community and the development of competencies to enable the juvenile offender to become a responsible and productive member of the community. In addition, the conference shall be concerned with preventing more serious future misconduct by the juvenile offender by obtaining the cooperation of the juvenile and his parents or guardian in complying with its recommendations. The court may schedule a hearing where the complainant or victim objects to the recommendations from the conference.

d. The resolution from the conference may include but shall not be limited to counseling, restitution, referral to appropriate community agencies, or any other community work programs or other conditions consistent with diversion that aids in providing balanced attention to the protection of the community, the imposition of accountability for offenses committed, fostering interaction and dialogue between the offender, victim and community and the development of competencies to enable the juvenile offender to become a responsible and productive member of the community, provided that:

(1) Obligations imposed as a result of the intake conference shall be an order of the court approved by the presiding judge and shall be set forth in writing and may not exceed six months. The juvenile and his or her parents or guardian shall receive copies, as shall any agencies providing services under the agreement;

(2) The court intake service worker shall inform the juvenile and the juvenile's parents or guardian in writing of their right to object at any time prior to their written agreement to the facts or terms of the intake conference decision, and if objections arise, the intake service worker may alter the terms of the proposed agreement or refer the matter to the presiding judge who shall determine if the complaint will be heard in court or returned to intake conference for further action;

(3) Written agreement pursuant to intake conferences may be terminated at any time upon the request of the juvenile and the matter referred to the presiding judge;

(4) The court intake services conference may not order the confinement of a juvenile, place a juvenile on probation, or remove a juvenile from his family as a disposition; and

(5) If, at any time during the diversion period, the court intake service worker determines that the obligations imposed under the written agreement are not being met, the intake worker shall notify the presiding judge in writing. In the case of failure to comply with the obligations imposed under the agreement by the parents or guardian, the court may proceed against such persons for enforcement of the agreement. In the case of failure to comply by the juvenile, the matter shall be referred to the court for action.

e. At the end of the diversion period a second court intake services conference may be held with all parties to the written agreement present to ascertain if the terms of the agreement have been fulfilled. If all conditions have been met, the intake worker shall so inform the presiding judge in writing who shall order the complaint dismissed. A copy of the order dismissing the complaint shall be sent to the juvenile. If the conditions of the written agreement have not been met, the intake worker may refer the matter to the presiding judge who shall determine if the complaint will be heard in court or returned to court intake services for further action. Based on the evaluations required under this paragraph, the intake conference agreement may be extended beyond the six-month maximum if all parties agree. In no case shall an intake conference agreement exceed nine months.

f. All proceedings before the conference are confidential and they shall receive only those records which in the court's judgment are necessary to aid in making a recommendation.

(cf: P.L.2001, c.408, s.5)

6. N.J.S.2C:34-1 is amended to read as follows:

2C:34-1. Prostitution and Related Offenses.

a. As used in this section:

(1) "Prostitution" is sexual activity with another person in exchange for something of economic value, or the offer or acceptance of an offer to engage in sexual activity in exchange for something of economic value.

(2) "Sexual activity" includes, but is not limited to, sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, and oral-anal contact, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex; masturbation; touching of the genitals, buttocks, or female breasts; sadistic or masochistic abuse and other deviate sexual relations.

(3) "House of prostitution" is any place where prostitution or promotion of prostitution is regularly carried on by one person under the control, management or supervision of another.

(4) "Promoting prostitution" is:

(a) Owning, controlling, managing, supervising or otherwise keeping, alone or in association with another, a house of prostitution or a prostitution business;

(b) Procuring an inmate for a house of prostitution or place in a house of prostitution for one who would be an inmate;

(d) Soliciting a person to patronize a prostitute;

(e) Procuring a prostitute for a patron;

(f) Transporting a person into or within this State with purpose to promote that person's engaging in prostitution, or procuring or paying for transportation with that purpose; or

(g) Knowingly leasing or otherwise permitting a place controlled by the actor, alone or in association with others, to be regularly used for prostitution or promotion of prostitution, or failure to make a reasonable effort to abate such use by ejecting the tenant, notifying law enforcement authorities, or other legally available means.

b. A person commits an offense if:

(1) The actor engages in prostitution;

(2) The actor promotes prostitution;

(3) The actor knowingly promotes prostitution of a child under 18 whether or not the actor mistakenly believed that the child was 18 years of age or older, even if such mistaken belief was reasonable;

(4) The actor knowingly promotes prostitution of the actor's child, ward, or any other person for whose care the actor is responsible;

(5) The actor compels another to engage in or promote prostitution;

(6) The actor promotes prostitution of the actor's spouse; or

(7) The actor knowingly engages in prostitution with a person under the age of 18, or if the actor enters into or remains in a house of prostitution for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 18, or if the actor solicits or requests a child under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity. It shall be no defense to a prosecution under this paragraph that the actor mistakenly believed that the child was 18 years of age or older, even if such mistaken belief was reasonable.

c. Grading of offenses under subsection b.

(1) An offense under subsection b. constitutes a crime of the second degree if the offense falls within paragraph (3) or (4) of that subsection.

(2) An offense under subsection b. constitutes a crime of the third degree if the offense falls within paragraph (5), (6) or (7) of that subsection.

(3) An offense under paragraph (2) of subsection b. constitutes a crime of the third degree if the conduct falls within subparagraph (a), (b), or (c) of paragraph (4) of subsection a. Otherwise the offense is a crime of the fourth degree.

(4) An offense under subsection b. constitutes a disorderly persons offense if the offense falls within paragraph (1) of that subsection except that a second or subsequent conviction for such an offense constitutes a crime of the fourth degree. In addition, where a motor vehicle was used in the commission of any offense under paragraph (1) of subsection b. the court shall suspend for six months the driving privilege of any such offender who has a valid driver's license issued by this State. Upon conviction, the court shall immediately collect the offender's driver's license and shall forward it, along with a report stating the first and last day of the suspension imposed pursuant to this paragraph, to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

d. Presumption from living off prostitutes. A person, other than the prostitute or the prostitute's minor child or other legal dependent incapable of self-support, who is supported in whole or substantial part by the proceeds of prostitution is presumed to be knowingly promoting prostitution.

e. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution for a violation of this section that, during the time of the alleged commission of the offense, the defendant was a victim of human trafficking pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2005, c.77 (C.2C:13-8) or the defendant was under the age of 18.

(cf: P.L.2005, c.77, s.2)

7. (New section) The Attorney General shall, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Commissioner of Children and Families, the Superintendent of State Police and representatives of providers of services to victims of human trafficking and sexually exploited minors, coordinate the establishment of standard protocols for the provision of information and services to victims of human trafficking and to minors under the age of 18 who are charged with prostitution, including coordination of efforts with the appropriate federal authorities pursuant to the "Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003," 22 U.S.C. s.7101 et seq. and shall make such protocols available upon request.

8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall be applicable to all offenses committed on or after the effective date.

STATEMENT

The bill makes certain changes to current law to insure sexually exploited juveniles who are charged with prostitution or other offenses or who are alleged victims of human trafficking receive certain services and are diverted from prosecution. The bill would also make it an affirmative defense to a charge of prostitution that the defendant was under the age of 18.

Juvenile Code - The bill amends N.J.S.A.2A:4A-21, the "purposes" section of the juvenile code, to add that the code is intended to insure protection and a safe environment for sexually exploited juveniles who are charged with prostitution or who are alleged to be victims of human trafficking, and to provide appropriate shelter, care, counseling and crisis intervention services for these juveniles.

The bill amends N.J.S.A.2A:4A-22 to expand the definition of "juvenile-family crisis" to include acts committed by a juvenile which if committed by an adult would constitute prostitution and to include any offense committed by a juvenile which the juvenile alleges is related to the juvenile being a victim of human trafficking. This amendment clarifies that these juveniles will be diverted from prosecution and provided with services.

The bill amends N.J.S.A.2A:4A-42 concerning predisposition evaluations to insure diversion of sexually exploited juveniles. Currently, before making a disposition, the court may refer a juvenile to an appropriate agency or institution for an examination and evaluation. The court may consult with any agency, including the Department of Children and Families, law enforcement, family, or other interested parties, and may convene a predisposition conference to discuss and recommend disposition of the matter. The predisposition report can include information concerning the impact of the crime on the victim and the community and the circumstances surrounding the commission of the offense. The bill amends this section of law to provide that the predisposition report may include information relevant to the commission of the act where the juvenile is charged with an act which if committed by an adult would constitute prostitution or any offense which the juvenile alleges is related to the juvenile being a victim of human trafficking. The bill reorganizes the existing statutory factors included in the predisposition report into a new statutory format for ease of cross-referencing.

The bill amends N.J.S.A.2A:4A-71 and N.J.S.A.2A:4A-74, concerning court intake services, to expand the factors considered by court intake services in determining whether to recommend diversion. The bill requires court intake services to consider any information relevant to the offense in any case where the juvenile is charged with an act which if committed by an adult would constitute prostitution or any offense which the juvenile alleges is related to the juvenile being a victim of human trafficking.

Prostitution - The bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:34-1, prostitution, to provide that it is an affirmative defense to prosecution that the defendant was under the age of 18 at the time of the commission of the offense.

Standard Protocols - The bill requires the Attorney General to establish standard protocols for the provision of information and services to victims of human trafficking and to minors under the age of 18 who are charged with prostitution, including coordination of efforts with the appropriate federal authorities and to make such protocols available upon request. The bill provides that the Attorney General is required to establish these protocols in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Commissioner of Children and Families, the Superintendent of State Police and providers of services to victims of human trafficking and sexually exploited minors.