On Juneteenth, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced a new clemency initiative that could expunge the criminal records of thousands of state residents. The executive order signed by Murphy aims to prioritize commutations for survivors of sexual abuse and those unjustly sentenced during the peak of the war on drugs.
The initiative, described as a significant step towards justice and equity in New Jersey, will also benefit victims of domestic violence who were given long prison sentences for retaliating against their attackers. It will provide relief for those who received excessive jail time for drug-related offenses or for losing their cases in court.
"As we celebrate Juneteenth and reflect on our nation's ongoing journey toward racial justice for Black and Brown Americans, I am proud to sign this Executive Order to help address inequities and unfairness in our system of justice in New Jersey," said Governor Murphy. "This new clemency initiative is a cornerstone of our Administration's efforts to make New Jersey the State of Second Chances. Today, we pledge to take a responsible and equity-driven approach to pardons and commutations that will prioritize the most compelling cases."
The clemency initiative will include the appointment of an advisory board to consider individual applications and identify categories for pardon and commutation applications. The Governor's office will launch a website, nj.gov/clemency, to provide information and forms related to the initiative.