Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy

RIGHTS OF THE SURVIVORS OF HOMICIDE VICTIMS

RIGHTS OF THE SURVIVORS OF HOMICIDE VICTIMS (N.J.S.A. § 52:4B-36-1)

  1. A victim's survivor may, at the time of making the in-person statement to the sentencing court authorized by subsection n. of section 3 of P.L.1985, c. 249 (N.J.S.A. § 52:4B-36), display directly to the sentencing court a photograph of the victim taken before the homicide including, but not limited to, a still photograph, a computer-generated presentation, or a video presentation of the victim. The time, length and content of such presentation shall be within the sound discretion of the sentencing judge; and

  2. A victim's survivor may, during any judicial proceeding involving the defendant, wear a button not exceeding four inches in diameter that contains a picture of the victim, if the court determines that the wearing of such button will not deprive the defendant of his right to a fair trial under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article I of the New Jersey Constitution. Other spectators at such judicial proceedings may also wear similar buttons if the court so determines. If the victim's survivor seeks to wear the button at trial, the victim's survivor shall give notice to the defendant and to the court no less than 30 days prior to the final trial date.

Extreme Risk Protection Order

The “Extreme Risk Protective Order” Act of 2018 established a civil procedure whereby a petitioner can obtain an Extreme Risk Protective Order (“ERPO”) against a person (“respondent”) who is an “immediate and present” danger to her/himself or others and who owns, possesses, receives, purchases, or has custody or control of a firearm.

A petitioner is defined as: a family or household member of the respondent, including a current or former spouse, present or former household member, current or former dating partner, or an individual who has or will have a child in common, or a law enforcement officer acting in his/her official capacity.

An ERPO prohibits the respondent from possessing firearms and ammunition, and orders the surrender of firearms, ammunition, and any Firearms Purchaser Identification Card and firearm permits by the respondent.

An individual seeking an ERPO should contact their local police department.

Additional information about ERPOs is provided in the video linked below.

Watch ERPO Video

Local Bergen County Resources for Victims of Crime

Bergen County Department of Health Services

HIV Testing and Counseling Center
120 South River Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 336-3350
www.co.bergen.nj.us/departments-and-services

Bergen County Board of Social Services

218 Route 17 North
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
(201) 368-4200
www.bcbss.com

The Audrey Hepburn Children's House

12 2nd St.
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(551) 996-2271

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services

190 Moore Street, Suite 100
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 487-2166
www.northeastnjlegalservices.org

Women's Rights Information Center

108 West Palisade Ave Englewood, NJ 07631
(201) 568-1166
www.womensrights.org

Care Plus NJ, Inc.

610 Valley Health Plaza
Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 265-8200
www.careplusnj.org

Bergen's Promise

3 University Plaza Dr.
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 712-1170 www.bergenspromise.org

Bergen County Courts