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March 26, 2020 COVID-19 WEBINAR SERIES

New Jersey COVID-19 Jail Release Agreement

On Sunday, March 22, 2020, the Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court entered an Order providing for the commutation or suspension of many county jail sentences.  The Order, which was expected to result in the release of 1000 people, was entered upon agreement by the Attorney General, the County Prosecutors Association, the Public Defender and the ACLU. This webinar features many of the key players to discuss the actual terms of the Order, how they came to agreement and how this agreement might serve as a model for decreasing jail populations to limit the spread of COVID-19 in other states.

With heightened concerns nationwide about data confidentiality and diminished trust in the federal government, lawyers in all practice areas may find themselves being asked about the Census 2020, which begins nationwide in March, by their clients.
With heightened concerns nationwide about data confidentiality and diminished trust in the federal government, lawyers in all practice areas may find themselves being asked about the Census 2020, which begins nationwide in March, by their clients.

Panelists

  • Andrew Bruck, Executive Assistant Attorney General, State of New Jersey
  • Joseph Krakora, Chief Public Defender, New Jersey State Office of Public Defender
  • Alexander Shalom, Senior Supervising Attorney, ACLU of New Jersey

Moderator

  • Miriam Gohara, Clinical Associate Professor, Yale Law School;  Special Advisor, ABA  Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants 

Joint Sponsors: Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent DefendantsCriminal Justice Section

Co-Sponsors:  ABA Center for Public Interest Law,  ABA Coalition on Racial and Ethnic JusticeABA Commission on Homelessness & Poverty, ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the ProfessionABA Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division, ABA Law Student DivisionABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public ServiceABA Young Lawyers Division, National Black Law Student Association

Resources

Summary of Information Provided in Webinar

Letter to Chief Justice Rabner Re: OTSC

COVID-19 Proposed Order to Show Cause

New Jersey Consent Order

New Jersey Amended Consent Order

New Jersey Release Rules Explanation for Prisoners

1,000 Inmates Will Be Released From N.J. Jails to Curb Coronavirus Risk
The New York Times | March 23, 2020

As the Coronavirus Spreads, some in Criminal Justice System Resist Call to Keep People out of Jail
The Washington Post | March 24, 2020

Agreement on low-risk offenders sets a strong example

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