New Jersey § 2a:162-22
Full text of New Jersey New Jersey Statutes § 2a:162-22, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 2a:162-22.
a. Concerning an eligible defendant subject to pretrial detention as ordered by a
court pursuant to sections 4 and 5 of P.L.2014, c. 31 ( C.2A:162-18 and C.2A:162-19 ) or an eligible defendant who is detained in jail due to the inability to post the
monetary bail imposed by the court pursuant to subsection c. or d. of section 3 of P.L.2014, c. 31 ( C.2A:162-17 ): (1)(a) The eligible defendant shall not remain detained in jail for more than 90 days,
not counting excludable time for reasonable delays as set forth in subsection b. of
this section, prior to the return of an indictment. If the eligible defendant is not indicted within that period of time, the eligible
defendant shall be released from jail unless, on motion of the prosecutor, the court
finds that a substantial and unjustifiable risk to the safety of any other person
or the community or the obstruction of the criminal justice process would result from
the eligible defendant's release from custody, so that no appropriate conditions for
the eligible defendant's release could reasonably address that risk, and also finds
that the failure to indict the eligible defendant in accordance with the time requirement
set forth in this subparagraph was not due to unreasonable delay by the prosecutor. If the court finds that a substantial and unjustifiable risk to the safety of any
other person or the community or the obstruction of the criminal justice process would
result, and also finds that the failure to indict the eligible defendant in accordance
with the time requirement set forth in this subparagraph was not due to unreasonable
delay by the prosecutor, the court may allocate an additional period of time, not
to exceed 45 days, in which the return of an indictment shall occur. Notwithstanding the court's previous findings for ordering the eligible defendant's
pretrial detention, or if the court currently does not find a substantial and unjustifiable
risk or finds unreasonable delay by the prosecutor as described in this subparagraph,
the court shall order the release of the eligible defendant pursuant to section 3
of P.L.2014, c. 31 ( C.2A:162-17 ). (b) If the eligible defendant is charged or indicted on another matter resulting in
the eligible defendant's pretrial detention, the time calculations set forth in subparagraph
(a) of this paragraph for each matter shall run independently. (2)(a) An eligible defendant who has been indicted shall not remain detained in jail
for more than 180 days on that charge following the return or unsealing of the indictment,
whichever is later, not counting excludable time for reasonable delays as set forth
in subsection b. of this section, before commencement of the trial. If the trial does not commence within that period of time, the eligible defendant
shall be released from jail unless, on motion of the prosecutor, the court finds that
a substantial and unjustifiable risk to the safety of any other person or the community
or the obstruction of the criminal justice process would result from the eligible
defendant's release from custody, so that no appropriate conditions for the eligible
defendant's release could reasonably address that risk, and also finds that the failure
to commence trial in accordance with the time requirement set forth in this subparagraph
was not due to unreasonable delay by the prosecutor. If the court finds that a substantial and unjustifiable risk to the safety of any
other person or the community or the obstruction of the criminal justice process would
result, and also finds that the failure to commence trial in accordance with the time
requirement set forth in this subparagraph was not due to unreasonable delay by the
prosecutor, the court may allocate an additional period of time in which the eligible
defendant's trial shall commence. Notwithstanding the court's previous findings for ordering the eligible defendant's
pretrial detention, or if the court currently does not find a substantial and unjustifiable
risk or finds unreasonable delay by the prosecutor as described in this subparagraph,
the court shall order the release of the eligible defendant pursuant to section 3
of P.L.2014, c. 31 ( C.2A:162-17 ). Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an eligible defendant shall
be released from jail pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2014, c. 31 ( C.2A:162-17 ) after a release hearing if, two years after the court's issuance of the pretrial
detention order for the eligible defendant, excluding any delays attributable to the
eligible defendant, the prosecutor is not ready to proceed to voir dire or to opening
argument, or to the hearing of any motions that had been reserved for the time of
trial. (b)(i) For the purposes of this paragraph, a trial is considered to have commenced
when the court determines that the parties are present and directs them to proceed
to voir dire or to opening argument, or to the hearing of any motions that had been
reserved for the time of trial. (ii) The return of a superseding indictment against the eligible defendant shall extend
the time for the trial to commence. (iii) If an indictment is dismissed without prejudice upon motion of the eligible
defendant for any reason, and a subsequent indictment is returned, the time for trial
shall begin running from the date of the return of the subsequent indictment. (iv) A trial ordered after a mistrial or upon a motion for a new trial shall commence
within 120 days of the entry of the order of the court. A trial ordered upon the reversal of a judgment by any appellate court shall commence
within 120 days of the service of that court's trial mandate. (c) If the eligible defendant is indicted on another matter resulting in the eligible
defendant's pretrial detention, the time calculations set forth in this paragraph
for each matter shall run independently. b. (1) The following periods shall be excluded in computing the time in which a case
shall be indicted or tried: (a) The time resulting from an examination and hearing on competency and the period
during which the eligible defendant is incompetent to stand trial or incapacitated; (b) The time from the filing to the disposition of an eligible defendant's application
for supervisory treatment pursuant to N.J.S.2C:36A-1 or N.J.S.2C:43-12 et seq. , special probation pursuant to N.J.S.2C:35-14 , drug or alcohol treatment as a condition of probation pursuant to N.J.S.2C:45-1 , or other pretrial treatment or supervisory program; (c) The time from the filing to the final disposition of a motion made before trial
by the prosecutor or the eligible defendant; (d) The time resulting from a continuance granted, in the court's discretion, at the
eligible defendant's request or at the request of both the eligible defendant and
the prosecutor; (e) The time resulting from the detention of an eligible defendant in another jurisdiction
provided the prosecutor has been diligent and has made reasonable efforts to obtain
the eligible defendant's presence; (f) The time resulting from exceptional circumstances including, but not limited to,
a natural disaster, the unavoidable unavailability of an eligible defendant, material
witness or other evidence, when there is a reasonable expectation that the eligible
defendant, witness or evidence will become available in the near future; (g) On motion of the prosecutor, the delay resulting when the court finds that the
case is complex due to the number of defendants or the nature of the prosecution; (h) The time resulting from a severance of codefendants when that severance permits
only one trial to commence within the time period for trial set forth in this section; (i) The time resulting from an eligible defendant's failure to appear for a court
proceeding; (j) The time resulting from a disqualification or recusal of a judge; (k) The time resulting from a failure by the eligible defendant to provide timely
and complete discovery; (l) The time for other periods of delay not specifically enumerated if the court finds
good cause for the delay; and (m) Any other time otherwise required by statute. (2) The failure by the prosecutor to provide timely and complete discovery shall not
be considered excludable time unless the discovery only became available after the
time set for discovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey § 2a:162-22
What does New Jersey Statutes § 2a:162-22 cover?
Section 2a:162-22 is part of the New Jersey Statutes, the codified statutory law of New Jersey. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite New Jersey § 2a:162-22?
A common citation format is "New Jersey Statutes § 2a:162-22" (New Jersey). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of New Jersey law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Jersey official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Jersey attorney.
How does New Jersey § 2a:162-22 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Jersey can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Jersey.