Chris Christie in Brennan Center for Justice essays

On Crime: Strict bail for violent offenders; free bail for non-violent

I proposed two common-sense reforms to refocus New Jersey's bail system on whether a person poses a danger. These changes finally allow New Jersey courts to keep dangerous criminals off the streets and in jail until trial. In August 2014, I signed a law that created non-monetary alternatives allowing for the release of low-level offenders while they wait for trial. And in November, our citizens voted to pass a bipartisan ballot initiative that I championed to amend our state constitution and allow judges to deny bail for dangerous offenders, keeping them behind bars while they wait for trial.

Our constitution had been interpreted to require judges to set bail amounts for all offenders--even if judges thought they should be kept behind bars because they were dangerous.6 Judges should be able to look at defendants' criminal history, determine whether they pose a potential danger to other individuals--witnesses or innocent citizens on the streets--and then decide whether bail makes sense.

Source: Brennan Center for Justice essays, p. 21 Apr 28, 2015

On Crime: Ban the Box: no criminal background check for job applicants

In 2014, I also signed legislation to "ban the box" and end employment discrimination against people with criminal records.10 The Opportunity to Compete Act limits employers from conducting criminal background checks on job applicants until after a first interview has taken place. This will make a huge difference to people who have paid their debts to society and want to start their lives over again. They now have the opportunity to do that in our state. Source: Brennan Center for Justice essays, p. 22 Apr 28, 2015

On Drugs: Drug addiction is a disease: treatment instead of jail

In 2012, we expanded the mandatory drug court and treatment program to more counties.9 I have a simple view on drug policy: Drug addiction is a disease. And it can be treated. Most importantly, every life is an individual gift from God and no life is disposable. We have an obligation to help people reclaim their lives. And since we have the tools to help those with this disease to save their own lives, we should use them.

We need to realize that when we keep drug addicts in jail, we ensure that they will be a constant drain on our society. Treatment not only costs us less in the short run, but in the long run it produces contributing members to our society--people who are employed and pay taxes, rather than being in jail and draining taxes. Requiring mandatory treatment instead of prison for nonviolent drug addicts is only one step--but an important one. Treatment is the path to saving lives. For as long as I am governor of New Jersey, treatment will be mandatory in our system.

Source: Brennan Center for Justice essays, p. 22 Apr 28, 2015

The above quotations are from SOLUTIONS American Leaders Speak Out on Criminal Justice Brennan Center for Justice essays Edited by Inimai Chettiar and Michael Waldman. Click here for other excerpts from SOLUTIONS American Leaders Speak Out on Criminal Justice Brennan Center for Justice essays Edited by Inimai Chettiar and Michael Waldman. Click here for other excerpts by Chris Christie. Click here for a profile of Chris Christie.
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018