The New Jersey State Bar Association’s (NJSBA) governing body met last week to discuss issues of concern to the profession. The meeting was held virtually because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Here is a look at the board’s actions:
The trustees voted to support the passage of S-2586/A-4369, which would implement several of the sentencing recommendations of the Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission to eliminate certain mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment. The importance of this bill has resonated with NJSBA members, especially with the NJSBA Commission on Racial Equity in the Law, which reviews initiatives with an eye towards removing systemic bias and racism in the law. Mandatory minimum sentencing policies have a disproportionate impact on communities of color and contribute to New Jersey having the highest disparity in the nation when comparing the Black and white incarceration rate. The trustees also approved the Legislative Committee recommendation to support the New Jersey Law Review Commission’s report on temporary disability benefits to certain volunteers and other workers.
The board received comments that have been submitted to the state Supreme Court on virtual civil jury trials that were drafted based on previously approved recommendations on the topic. The comments focus on the NJSBA’s belief in the importance of moving forward to resolve matters for members of the public and businesses that have spent the past nine months in a holding pattern. The recommendations and comments were drafted after researching options being used around the country that accommodate civil jury trials in a virtual environment, while also ensuring that those trials are fair, just and produce a credible result. The comments can be found at njsba.com.
The trustees adopted a recommended policy from the Meeting Arrangements and Program Committee to ensure certain factors are considered when choosing a meeting site, including: the destination’s educational, popularity/attractiveness or cultural value; barriers that may exclude NJSBA members from attending or participating, including laws or policies that are discriminatory or exclusionary; anticipated cost to hold/attend; financial impact of holding/not holding the event; NJSBA members’ safety; availability of adequate hotel/meeting/banquet space; ease of travel to the destination, including distance from a major airport and availability, frequency and cost of direct flights; and recreational facilities and activities for multi-day events.