Kean Measure to Analyze Criminal Justice Data and Demographics Passes Senate

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislative measure that would require the Attorney General to collect, record, and analyze criminal justice data, including demographic statistics, has unanimously passed the New Jersey Senate.

“Justice is the cornerstone of American democracy, and all New Jersey residents deserve equal protection under the law,” said Kean (R-21). “This initiative will help elected officials and the public better discern and analyze how the law is being applied and enforced in New Jersey. Identifying any problem areas and initiating fitting solutions will support our mission in ensuing Lady Justice is blind, fair, and weighs all evidence impartially.”

Kean’s bipartisan bill, A-1076/S-2638, would require the New Jersey Attorney General, in consultation with the Division of State Police, county prosecutors’ offices, Administrative Office of the Courts, and Department of Corrections, to establish a program to collect, record, and analyze data regarding defendants in this State who are age 18 or older at the time of the commission of an alleged offense.

The data is to be collected from the time a defendant enters the State’s criminal justice system, by arrest, charge, or other action, through the final disposition of the defendant’s case. The data required includes the race, ethnicity, gender, and age of the defendant.

This legislation corresponds with recommendations from the New Jersey Criminal Sentencing & Disposition Commission’s 2019 Annual Report.

“It’s no secret that more work needs to be done to improve relations with police officers and the communities they serve,” added Kean. “Amassing, analyzing, and learning from this important data will help build a better criminal justice for all.”