A motion to withdraw a plea of guilty or non vult shall be made before sentencing, but the court may permit it to be made thereafter to correct a manifest injustice.
(a) Investigation. Before the imposition of a sentence or the granting of probation court support staff shall make a presentence investigation in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2C:44-6 and report to the court. The report shall contain all presentence material having any bearing whatever on the sentence and shall be furnished to the defendant and the prosecutor. On counts on which the death penalty is to be imposed, a presentence report shall not be prepared.
(b) Examination. After the presentence investigation and before imposing sentence, the court may order, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:44-6c, a physical or mental examination of the defendant provided that the defendant may not be committed to an institution for the purpose of that examination. The examination report shall be furnished to the defendant and the prosecuting attorney.
(c) Transmittal of Reports. If a custodial sentence is imposed, court staff shall, within fifteen days thereafter, transmit a copy of the presentence report and the examination report, if any, to the person in charge of the institution to which the defendant has been committed.
Whenever the defendant is convicted of an offense enumerated in N.J.S.A. 2C:47-1 et seq., the court, before imposing sentence or making disposition of the offender under the provisions of said chapter, shall furnish to the prosecutor, defendant or defendant's attorney a copy of the report of the Diagnostic Center, shall advise defendant of the opportunity to be heard thereon and shall afford the defendant such hearing. The report of the Diagnostic Center shall be confidential unless otherwise provided by rule, statute or court order.
(a) Imposition of Sentence; Bail. Sentence shall be imposed without unreasonable delay. Pending sentence the court may commit the defendant or continue or alter the bail.
(b) Presence of Defendant; Statement. Sentence shall not be imposed unless the defendant is present or has filed a written waiver of the right to be present. Before imposing sentence the court shall address the defendant personally and ask the defendant if he or she wishes to make a statement in his or her own behalf and to present any information in mitigation of punishment. The defendant may answer personally or by his or her attorney.
(c) Sentence to Probation. The court, at time of sentence, shall inform defendants sentenced to probation what penalties might be imposed on revocation should they not adhere to the conditions of their probation.
(d) Extradition. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as affecting the provisions of N.J.S. 2A:160-5 (relating to extradition) or the power of the court to resentence a defendant after reversal of the judgment by reason of error in the sentence.
(e) Extended or Enhanced Term of Imprisonment; Sentence Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 24:21-29 or N.J.S.A. 2C:35-8. A motion pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:44-3 or N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6f for the imposition of an extended term of imprisonment, or a motion for enhancement of a sentence pursuant to N.J.S.A. 24:21-29 or a motion for enhanced sentence pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:35-8, shall be filed with the court by the prosecutor within 14 days of the entry of the defendant's guilty plea or the return of the verdict. Where the defendant is pleading guilty pursuant to a negotiated disposition, the prosecutor shall make the motion at or prior to the plea. For good cause shown the court may extend the time for filing the motion. The sentence shall include a determination as to whether the defendant was convicted and sentenced to an extended term of imprisonment as provided in N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7, 2C:44-3 and 2C:44-6e, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6f or whether the defendant was being sentenced pursuant to N.J.S.A. 24:21-29, or N.J.S.A. 2C:35-8, and the commitment or order of sentence which directs the defendant's confinement shall so specify.
(f) Sentence Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.1, 2C:43-7.2, or 2C:44-5.1. A notice to impose sentence pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.1, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2, or 2C:44-5.1 shall be filed with the court and served upon the defendant by the prosecutor within 14 days of the entry of the defendant's guilty plea or return of the verdict. Where the defendant is pleading guilty pursuant to a negotiated disposition, the prosecutor shall file and serve the notice at or prior to the plea. For good cause shown the court may extend the time for filing the notice. The sentence shall include a determination as to whether the defendant was convicted and sentenced pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.1, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2, or 2C:44-5.1 and the judgment and commitment shall so specify.
(g) Reasons for Sentence. At the time sentence is imposed the judge shall state reasons for imposing such sentence including findings pursuant to the criteria for withholding or imposing imprisonment or fines under N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1 to 2C:44-3; the factual basis supporting a finding of particular aggravating or mitigating factors affecting sentence; and, if applicable, the reasons for ordering forfeiture of public office, position or employment, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:51-2.
(h) Notification of Right to Appeal and to File Petitions for Post-Conviction Relief. After imposing sentence, whether following the defendant's plea of guilty or a finding of guilty after trial, the court shall advise the defendant of the right to appeal and, if the defendant is indigent, of the right to appeal as an indigent. The court shall also inform the defendant of the time limitations in which to file petitions for post-conviction relief.
(i) Sentence Imposed Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(f)(2). In the event the court imposes sentence pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(f)(2), such sentence shall not become final until 10 days after the date sentence was pronounced.
(j) Statement of Estimated Real Time to Be Served. If defendant is sentenced to prison or jail, at the time sentence is imposed the judge shall state the approximate period of time defendant will actually serve in custody according to the then current State Parole Board "Parole Eligibility Tables." The statement should also consider the impact of jail credits, and should indicate that it is made for the benefit of the public, including those in attendance at the proceedings, and cannot be relied on by the defendant for purposes of proceedings before the Parole Board or any direct or collateral appeal.
When defendants are sentenced to a period of incarceration, whether committed to the custody of the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections or to a county institution, including incarceration as a condition of probation, the sentence generally does not suggest what the actual period of time in custody will be as a result of the parole statutes. The Court believes that the public is entitled to that information and that the Code contemplates that it will be given. See N.J.S.A. 2C:43-2e and 2C:44-1c(2). In order to avoid the many complexities and contingencies that surround that determination, the Court has opted to provide the public with the information contained in the State Parole Board's Eligibility Tables as being a fair and practical indicator of the likely actual custodial time for those defendants who get full credit for good time, work time, and minimum custody time. The Rule (Rule 3:21-4(i)) is intended solely to inform the public, and not the defendant, who presumably will have been informed of parole considerations by his or her attorney. Defendants will be told that they cannot rely in any way on the judge's statement, that it is intended solely to inform the public. Rule 3:21-4(i) is not intended to apply to sentences for disorderly persons offenses.
N.J.S.A. 2C:44-3 of the Code of Criminal Justice requires that the prosecuting attorney apply to the court for imposition of an extended term of imprisonment based on one or more of the grounds specified in that section. The Code does not, however, indicate when the prosecutor should make such motion. The rule, as amended, requires that the motion be made within 14 days of the entry of the defendant's guilty plea or of the return of the verdict. The court may extend the time for filing the motion upon a showing of good cause. The rule amendment incorporates the N.J.S.A. 2C:44-6e requirement of written notice to the defendant of the ground proposed for the imposition of an extended term of imprisonment.
The amendment does not address the question of whether imposition of extended terms of imprisonment is possible other than in accordance with the procedures set forth.
Where the defendant has been convicted of, or has entered a plea of guilty to, N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3(a)(1) or N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3(a)(2) and where the provisions of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3(c) apply, a separate sentencing hearing shall be conducted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3(c) immediately thereafter, except for good cause shown. At the sentencing hearing the jury, or the court if there is no jury, shall complete a special verdict form.
(a) Capital Convictions. On the imposition of a sentence of death, the court shall immediately enter the judgment of conviction and the Criminal Division Manager shall transmit it within two days to the Clerk of the Supreme Court, all parties, and their counsel. If a defendant sentenced to death is later sentenced for non-capital offenses, the court shall prepare an amended judgment containing all convictions. A copy of such amended judgment shall be provided to the Clerk of the Supreme Court.
(b) Non-Capital Convictions. The judgment shall be signed by the judge and entered by the clerk. A judgment of conviction shall set forth the plea, the verdict or findings, the adjudication and sentence, a statement of the reasons for such sentence, and a statement of credits received pursuant to R. 3:21-8. If the defendant is found not guilty or for any other reason is entitled to be discharged judgment shall be entered accordingly. The Criminal Division Manager shall forward a copy of the judgment forthwith to all parties and their counsel.
If a corporation is convicted of an offense the court shall give judgment thereon and shall cause such judgment to be enforced in the same manner as a judgment in a civil action.
After conviction, unless otherwise provided by law, the court may suspend the imposition of a sentence or the defendant may be placed on probation.
(a) Conditions. The order shall require the defendant to comply with standard conditions adopted by the court and filed by counsel with the criminal division manager as designee of the deputy clerk of the Superior Court (except as otherwise ordered), as well as such special conditions, including a term of imprisonment pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:45-1c, as the court imposes. As a condition of probation the court may impose a term of community-related service to be performed by the defendant under such terms and conditions as the court may determine. A copy of the order, together with the standard and special conditions, shall be furnished to the defendant, and read and explained to the defendant by the probation officer, whereupon the defendant and the probation officer shall sign a joint statement, to be filed with the criminal division manager as designee of the deputy clerk of the Superior Court, as to the officer's compliance with such reading and explanation requirement. If the defendant refuses to sign such statement, the defendant shall be resentenced.
(b) Detention. The court may, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:45-3a(3), upon a showing of probable cause that the defendant has committed another offense, detain without bail pending determination of the charge, a defendant who was sentenced to probation or whose sentence was suspended.
(c) Revocation. At any time before termination of the period of suspension or probation, the court may revoke a suspension or probation pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:45-3.
The defendant shall receive credit on the term of a custodial sentence for any time served in custody in jail or in a state hospital between arrest and the imposition of sentence.
The court on a defendant's motion shall arrest judgment if the indictment or accusation does not charge an offense or if the charge is based on an invalid or unconstitutional statute or regulation promulgated pursuant to a statute or if the court was without jurisdiction of the offense charged. The motion in arrest of judgment shall be made within 10 days after verdict of guilt or the entry of a plea of guilty or non vult, or within such further time as the court fixes during such 10-day period.
(a) Time. Except as provided in paragraph (b) hereof, a motion to reduce or change a sentence shall be filed not later than 60 days after the date of the judgment of conviction. The court may reduce or change a sentence, either on motion or on its own initiative, by order entered within 75 days from the date of the judgment of conviction and not thereafter.
(b) Exceptions. A motion may be filed and an order may be entered at any time (1) changing a custodial sentence to permit entry of the defendant into a custodial or non-custodial treatment or rehabilitation program for drug or alcohol abuse, or (2) amending a custodial sentence to permit the release of a defendant because of illness or infirmity of the defendant, or (3) changing a sentence for good cause shown upon the joint application of the defendant and prosecuting attorney, or (4) changing a sentence as authorized by the Code of Criminal Justice, or (5) correcting a sentence not authorized by law including the Code of Criminal Justice, or (6) changing a custodial sentence to permit entry into the Intensive Supervision Program, or (7) changing or reducing a sentence when a prior conviction has been reversed on appeal or vacated by collateral attack.
(c) Procedure. A motion filed pursuant to paragraph (b) hereof shall be accompanied by supporting affidavits and such other documents and papers as set forth the basis for the relief sought. A hearing need not be conducted on a motion filed under paragraph (b) hereof unless the court, after review of the material submitted with the motion papers, concludes that a hearing is required in the interest of justice. All changes of sentence shall be made in open court upon notice to the defendant and the prosecutor. An appropriate order setting forth the revised sentence and specifying the change made and the reasons therefor shall be entered on the record. On any motion filed pursuant to this rule, upon a showing of good cause, the court may assign the Office of the Public Defender to represent the defendant.
(d) Consideration During Appeal. Notwithstanding R. 2:9-1(a), the trial court may reconsider a sentence pursuant to this Rule during the pendency of an appeal upon notice to the Appellate Division.
(e) Intensive Supervision. Motions for change of custodial sentence and entry into the Intensive Supervision Program, as provided for in paragraph (b) of this rule, shall be addressed entirely to the sound discretion of the three-judge panel assigned to hear them. Because of the nature of the program, there shall be no administrative or judicial review at the several levels of eligibility established under the program. No further appellate review of the panel's substantive decision shall be afforded. The three-judge panel shall have the authority to resentence offenders, in accordance with applicable statutes, in the event they fail to perform satisfactorily following entry into the program.