CHANGING PESPECTIVES AND PROSPECTS (FROM COMBATTING ORGANIZED CRIME, 1978 - SEE NCJ-48903)

• NCJ Number: 53825
• Author(s): A J LUCIANI
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: National Assoc of Attorneys General
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

CONCENTRATED STATE EFFORTS IN DEALING WITH ORGANIZED CRIME IN NEW JERSEY ARE REPORTED FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1967 THROUGH 1977.

Abstract

IN 1967, NEW JERSEY WAS A HAVEN FOR ORGANIZED CRIME. MANY BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS WERE SUBJECT TO THE CONTROL OF ORGANIZED CRIME FAMILIES. THERE WERE EFFORTS AT LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THE LOCAL AND COUNTY LEVELS, BUT SUCH EFFORTS WERE FRAGMENTED, ILL-EQUIPPED, AND POLITICALLY DOMINATED. CORRUPTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS WAS WIDESPREAD. NATIONWIDE PUBLICITY ON THE EXTENT OF ORGANIZED CRIME'S ACTIVITIES IN NEW JERSEY SPURRED PUBLIC PRESSURE FOR ACTION AT THE STATE LEVEL. THE FORSYTHE COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1967 TO STUDY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN NEW JERSEY. THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED INNOVATIVE LEGISLATION WHICH DESIGNATED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AS THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE STATE AND CREATED A CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AT THE STATE LEVEL, WITH ORIGINAL CRIMINAL JURISDICTION AND SUPERVISORY POWERS OVER ALL ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTORIAL AGENCIES IN THE STATE. THE COMMISSION ALSO RECOMMENDED THE CREATION OF A STATE COMMISSION OF INVESTIGATION, A LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATIVE BODY WITH SUBPOENA POWER AND THE POWER TO GRANT IMMUNITY. ALSO RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMISSION WAS THE PASSAGE OF A GENERAL WITNESS IMMUNITY LAW, AN ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE LAW, AND AN ANTITRUST LAW. IN 1970, THE NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE PASSED THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT, WHICH CREATED A UNIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM ON THE STATE LEVEL, WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AS THE STATE'S CHIEF'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE WAS ALSO CREATED TO COORDINATE LAW ENFORCEMENT THROUGHOUT THE STATE. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FORSYTHE COMMISSION HAVE ALSO BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE LEGISLATURE. THE WORK OF THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS DESCRIBED. THESE NEW CRIMINAL JUSTICE MECHANISMS COORDINATED FROM THE STATE LEVEL HAVE HELPED TO BREAK UP THE OLD PATTERNS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT UNDER WHICH ORGANIZED CRIME HAS THRIVED. SOME SPECIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS ARE NOTED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE LEGISLATION ARE OFFERED. (RCB)