What is Criminal Justice Advocacy?
There are at least 25,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the nation's prisons, and some studies indicate that the actual number may be twice that. This means that approximately 1 out of every 20 prisoners in the United States has a developmental disability. Offenders with a developmental disability face certain disadvantages at various stages while involved with the criminal justice system. The Criminal Justice Advocacy Program (CJAP) provides alternatives to incarceration on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities who are defendants in the criminal justice system, and is the only program of its kind in New Jersey.
The CJAP serves as a clearinghouse for information about offenders, victims and witnesses with developmental disabilities and serves as a liaison between the criminal justice and human service systems, monitoring the quality of care and service provided to those with developmental disabilities as they move from one system to another.
Please be advised that The Criminal Justice Advocacy Program does not provide legal advice or services. Legal service references can be found here. For more on what we do and how we can help, please click here.
View our program brochures below:
Additional Material:
- Understanding the DDD Determination for Eligibility Process
- DDD Intake Application
- Working with & Identifying an Individual with an I/DD
- Attorneys Guide was designed to assist attorneys in understanding the possible presence of an I/DD in someone involved in the criminal justice system.
Our Intake and Release of Information Form is required to advocate for an individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities that has been incarcerated and/or currently has pending charges. Please return the completed forms to cjap@arcnj.org or via fax # 732.733.6804. Download our Intake and Release of Information Form.
What does developmental disabilities include?
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy
- Epilepsy
- Intellectual Disability
- Other neurological impairments (e.g. traumatic brain injury, Spina Bifida, Prader-Willi syndrome, Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders or FASD)
The Arc of New Jersey is looking for motivated individuals with developmental disabilities for a work based learning experience in Monmouth County. Selected candidates participate in internships located within law enforcement agencies overseen by a "Cadet Mentor." This mentor is a designee working for the municipality who determines and assigns tasks for the cadets to complete throughout their shift.
Click here for more information!
U.S. Department of Justice - Bureau of Justice Statistics
Disabilities Among Prison and Jail Inmates
Equal Justice Talks
From the Criminal Justice Advocacy Program of
The Arc of New Jersey
This monthly webinar series hosted by The Criminal Justice Program presents experts on a broad range of issues related to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who become involved in the criminal justice system as defendants, victims and witnesses. On the Third Thursday of each month, from 2pm to 3pm EST, you can register free of charge to hear live presentations about Medicaid/SSI rules and regulations as they apply to people with criminal histories; sexual civil rights; cognitive capacity to consent; guardianship issues; defending the client with disabilities; interview techniques when working with a person with disabilities and many other topics.
Equal Justice Talks Webinar Series # 7
Topic: Recognizing How Court’s Can Misinterpret Autism in the Trial Process
Speakers: Professor Heather Cucolo, Esq., Co-owner and Partner, Mental Disability Law and Policy Associates
When: Thursday March 19, 2020
View flyer: Click here
Where to register: Click here
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Looking for past webinars?? Click here!!
Never miss a webinar again! Click here to receive future webinar announcements
Resources & Material
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NJ Courts Link, Applying for Guardianship, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, NJ Courts Self Help Resource Center, Public Defender Application for Municipal Court, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services- Request for Fee Waiver, A Guide For attorneys to assist with individuals with I/DD who become involved in the criminal justice system, New Jersey County Jails Resources, and Crisis Resource Contacts
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DDD / DMHS / CCW- How they may be helpful. CCW Application Fact Sheet and CCW Renewal Fact Sheet, Directory of Mental Health Services link, Directions to the New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services, DDD Intake Application - in both English and Spanish
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How to Apply for Guardianship of the Person of an Individual Eligible for Services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Personal Health Record and Medical History Forms in English & Spanish, The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute link, NJ Courts - Self Help Resource Center, Understanding the DDD Eligibility Process, Family guide for navigating the NJ Service System for an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Catholic Charities Transitional Housing Program Application, Transportation Option in NJ, Choosing a Support Coordinator, Support Coordination Agencies List, Support Coordination Agency Selection Form
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New Jersey Sexual Assault Education and Prevention Resources, New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry List, Type of problems law enforcement may have while work with an sexual offender with an I/DD. Why some individuals with an I/DD have inappropriate sexual behavior. Megan's Law information and resources. Resources & Information on The Arc of US: National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability and ATSA (Association for treatment on sexual abusers).
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Our current Equal Justice Talks webinar series runs from September 2017 to June 2018. All recordings and slides previously recorded are available for viewing, as well as archived webinars recordings and slides from the 2016/17 series. This project is cosponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and made possible through funding from the IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey.
Court & Lawyer Referral Services
- Self-Help Resources Main Page
- Overview of the Courts
- Overview of the Court Process
- Courthouse Addresses & Contact Numbers
- Forms and Instructions
- County Bar Associations, Lawyer Referral Services
