The New Jersey State Legislature is considering a bill, also known as “Lisa's Law,” in honor of a domestic violence victim murdered by her former fiancé, that would establish a four-year pilot program in Ocean County for using electronic monitoring devices on certain domestic violence offenders. Under the program, law enforcement would track any offender named as a defendant in a restraining order who is wearing the tracking device and notify the plaintiff if they do not comply, and they will investigate the non-compliance. According to Bill A3731, “The pilot program shall apply to defendants convicted of contempt of a domestic violence order . . .”

The program proposed under Lisa's Law may help save the lives of domestic violence victims, but the first step is obtaining a restraining order. Contact the experienced legal professionals at the Lento Law Firm if you or someone you know needs a restraining order. The Lento Law Firm Family Law Team can advise you on obtaining a restraining order and your other legal options. Call the Lento Law Firm Family Law Team at 888.535.3686 or use our online contact form to tell us about your case.

Lisa's Law: A Four-Year Pilot Program to Use Electronic Monitoring Devices on Domestic Violence Offenders

Funded with an appropriation of $2.5 million from the General Fund, Lisa's Law establishes a comprehensive program with a mission to protect domestic violence victims from further harm. It includes these provisions:

• The court will charge a $250 monitoring fee to offenders.
• Punishment for tampering with an electronic monitoring device is a third-degree crime with punishment of three to five years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.
• Victims will be briefed on the monitoring process and potential risks, as well as on support services.
• Offender compliance will be monitored twenty-four hours a day, and law enforcement will investigate any reported non-compliance.
• There will be civil penalties for acts of domestic violence.

How a Restraining Order Can Protect Victims of Domestic Violence

In New Jersey, domestic violence victims can seek protection from their assailants through a restraining order, also known as a personal protection order. A domestic violence victim who obtains a restraining order is named in it as the plaintiff and the individual they identify as their assailant is named as the defendant. A restraining order prohibits the defendant from interacting with or being near the plaintiff. Common restrictions include barring the defendant from the plaintiff's workplace or home and forbidding the defendant from contacting the plaintiff via phone, email, text, or other electronic means. Typically, the plaintiff applies for a temporary restraining order, which takes effect immediately, and the court schedules a final restraining order hearing within ten days.

The Lento Law Firm Can Help Domestic Violence Victims Obtain Restraining Orders

If you are a victim of domestic violence, the Family Law Team at the Lento Law Firm can advise on your options, including obtaining a restraining order. Call the Lento Law Firm Family Law Team today at 888.535.3686 or use the contact form on our website to tell us about your case.