2A:4A-42 Predispositional evaluation.

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23. Predispositional evaluation. a. Before making a disposition, the court may refer the juvenile to an appropriate individual, agency or institution for examination and evaluation.

b. In arriving at a disposition, the court may also consult with such individuals and agencies as may be appropriate to the juvenile's situation, including the county probation division, the Department of Children and Families, the Youth Justice Commission established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1995, c.284 (C.52:17B-170), the county youth services commission, school personnel, clergy, law enforcement authorities, family members and other interested and knowledgeable parties. In so doing, the court may convene a predispositional conference to discuss and recommend disposition.

(1)The predisposition report ordered pursuant to the Rules of Court may include a statement by the victim of the offense for which the juvenile has been adjudicated delinquent or by the nearest relative of a homicide victim. The statement may include the nature and extent of any physical harm or psychological or emotional harm or trauma suffered by the victim, the extent of any loss to include loss of earnings or ability to work suffered by the victim and the effect of the crime upon the victim's family. The probation division shall notify the victim or nearest relative of a homicide victim of his right to make a statement for inclusion in the predisposition report if the victim or relative so desires. Any statement shall be made within 20 days of notification by the probation division. The report shall further include information on the financial resources of the juvenile. This information shall be made available on request to the Victims of Crime Compensation Office established pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-3) or to any officer authorized under section 3 of P.L.1979, c.396 (C.2C:46-4) to collect payment of an assessment, restitution or fine.

(2)Any predisposition report prepared pursuant to this section shall include:

(a)an analysis of the circumstances attending the commission of the act;

(b)the impact of the offense on the community;

(c)the offender's history of delinquency or criminality;

(d)the offender's family situation;

(e)the offender's financial resources;

(f)the financial resources of the juvenile's parent or guardian;

(g)the information concerning the parent or guardian's exercise of supervision and control relevant to commission of the act; and

(h)in any case where the juvenile is charged with an act which if committed by an adult would constitute prostitution in violation of N.J.S.2C:34-1 or any offense which the juvenile alleges is related to the juvenile being a victim of human trafficking, the predisposition report may include any information relevant to the commission of the act.

Information concerning financial resources included in the report shall be made available to any officer authorized to collect payment on any assessment, restitution or fine.

L.1982, c.77, s.23; amended 1986, c.85, s.2; 1995, c.135, s.7; 1995, c.280, s.9; 2001, c.408, s.2; 2004, c.130, s.5; 2006, c.47, s.17; 2011, c.195, s.4; 2025, c.35, s.5.