The New Jersey Crime Victims’ Law Center provides pro bono legal assistance to victims of violent crime in the criminal justice system throughout the State of New Jersey. We also provide amicus curiae assistance in all state and federal courts in the United States. NJCVLC has appeared as direct counsel or amicus curiae in courts at all levels in New Jersey and recently in the United States Supreme Court in the case of Carey v. Musladin.
NJCVLC was established in 1992 as a non-profit corporation of New Jersey devoted to the pro bono representation of victims in the criminal justice system and the litigation of victims’ rights issues in the courts. It is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c) (3) non profit corporation approved to receive charitable contributions. NJCVLC was the first of its kind in the United States, and there are presently seven other similar state law clinics throughout the nation. Recently NJCVLC received a national award for having assisted the most crime victims among all state clinics.
The rights of crime victims in New Jersey are mandated by the constitution and statutory laws of this State, and also by the recently enacted Federal Crime Victims Rights Act of 2004. The various rights of victims under these laws to be treated with fairness, compassion, respect and dignity are civil rights that exist independent of the other participants in the criminal justice process. These laws recognize the unique and vital interests of crime victims in the criminal justice system, and they give crime victims when they step into the legal role of “victim,” and are independent of the facts of the alleged crime, any defense asserted, or the conviction of defendant. And they are required by law to be recognized and respected by those individuals who work in the criminal justice system, including judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers.
The interpretive statement to the New Jersey Legislation that placed the Victim’s Rights Constitutional Amendment (Art. 1, ¶. 22) on the election ballot in 1991 stated that this provision “is designed to place victims on an equal footing by guaranteeing certain fundamental rights as a matter of State Constitutional imperative.” The statement to the New Jersey Crime Victims Bill of Rights (N.J.S.A. 52:4B-36) provides “These rights are among the most fundamental and important in assuring public confidence in the criminal justice system.” These words were never meant to be empty promises.
Richard D. Pompelio, Esq.
Executive Director
