NEW DIRECTIVE GOVERNING IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES OF GUILTY PLEAS IN NEW JERSEY MUNICIPAL COURTS

The Administrative Office of the New Jersey Courts has released a new Memorandum governing informing Municipal Court Defendants of the Immigration Consequences of Guilty Pleas. Directive #09-11 promulgates new procedures to follow by incorporating specific language to be given at three stages of the court process: 1) opening statements; 2) first appearances; and 3) guilty plea colloquies.