New Jersey Sexually Violent Predator Act

The act establishes a civil commitment system for persons found to be sexually violent predators, providing for their detention, care, and treatment apart from criminal punishment. It sets out how such a case proceeds — notice that a qualifying person is due for discharge from custody, assessment by a multidisciplinary team and a prosecutor's review committee, the filing of a petition, a probable cause determination and evaluation after the person is taken into custody, and a trial at which indigent persons are entitled to counsel and expert assistance before commitment may be ordered. Committed persons receive annual examination and review and may petition for discharge, with graduated pathways to transitional release and release with supervision, supported by provisions on confidential records, protective orders, costs of care, and penalties for escape or for violating release conditions.

Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.