Concerns parole for juvenile defendants.

Bill A4567 modifies New Jersey's juvenile parole process to better account for adolescent development. It requires juvenile defendants in parole proceedings to be represented by the Office of the Public Defender (or pro bono counsel with juvenile justice experience), and mandates that parole panel members complete training on adolescent brain development and the age-crime curve (which shows criminal behavior typically decreases with age). The bill also requires parole panels to specifically consider evidence of maturity and rehabilitation when determining eligibility for early release. This applies to juveniles who were waived to adult court and sentenced to incarceration.