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Bill

S 1987

Permits victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify in criminal proceedings via closed circuit television; permits judge to make motion to seek closed circuit testimony.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Diegnan and 4 co-sponsors

New Jersey bill authorizes trafficking victims and witnesses to testify via closed-circuit TV and permits judges to order this remotely without requiring witness consent.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
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Bill Summary · S 1987

Legislative bill overview

S 1987 allows human trafficking victims and witnesses to testify in criminal proceedings via closed-circuit television rather than in-person. The bill also grants judges authority to motion for closed-circuit testimony on their own initiative, not just when requested by the victim or witness.

Why is this important

Trafficking victims often experience severe trauma and may fear confrontation with perpetrators, which can discourage testimony or compromise its credibility. Closed-circuit testimony can reduce witness intimidation, increase prosecution success rates, and protect vulnerable individuals from re-traumatization during court proceedings.

Potential points of contention

  • Defendant's confrontation rights: The Sixth Amendment guarantees defendants the right to confront witnesses face-to-face; closed-circuit testimony exists in a legal gray area and may face constitutional challenges depending on implementation safeguards
  • Scope of "witnesses": The bill's language on who qualifies as a trafficking-related witness could be interpreted broadly, potentially extending protections beyond trafficking cases or to witnesses with minimal trauma exposure
  • Judge-initiated motions: Allowing judges to unilaterally order closed-circuit testimony without victim request raises fairness concerns—some may argue it should require victim consent or prosecutor petition to avoid overreach

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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