Local Rule Cr. RULE 101.1: EXTRAJUDICIAL STATEMENTS IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
D.N.J. — Criminal rule
Cr. RULE 101.1 EXTRAJUDICIAL STATEMENTS IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS (a) A lawyer representing a party with respect to a criminal matter, or any other proceeding that could result in incarceration, shall not make any extrajudicial statement that a reasonable person would expect to be disseminated by means of public communication if the lawyer or other person knows or reasonably should know that it will have a substantial likelihood of causing material prejudice to an adjudicative proceeding. (b) A statement referred to in L.Cr.R. 101.1(a) ordinarily is likely to have such an effect when it relates to: (1) the character, credibility, reputation or criminal record of a defendant, suspect in a criminal investigation or witness, the identity of a witness, or the expected testimony of a party or witness; (2) the possibility of a plea of guilty to the offense or the existence or contents of any confession, admission or statement given by a defendant or suspect, or that person's refusal or failure to make a statement; (3) the performance or results of any examination or test, the refusal or failure of a person to submit to an examination or test, or the identity or nature of physical evidence expected to be presented; (4) any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of a defendant or suspect; or (5) information the lawyer knows or reasonably should know is likely to be inadmissible as evidence in a trial and would if disclosed create a substantial risk of prejudice to an impartial trial. (c) Notwithstanding L.Cr.R. 101.1(a) and (b), a lawyer involved in the investigation or prosecution of a matter may state without elaboration: (1) the general nature of a charge or defense; (2) the information contained in a public record; (3) that an investigation of the matter is in progress, including the general scope of the investigation, the offense, claim or defense involved and, except when prohibited by law, the identity of the persons involved; (4) the scheduling or result of any step in litigation; (5) a request for assistance in obtaining evidence and the information necessary thereto; (6) a warning of danger concerning the behavior of a person involved, when there is reason to believe that there exists the likelihood of substantial harm to an individual or to the public interest; (7) the identity, residence, occupation and family status of the accused; (8) if the accused has not been apprehended, information necessary to aid in apprehension of that person; (9) the fact, time and place of arrest; and (10) the identity of investigating and arresting officers or agencies and the length of the investigation. (d) The prohibitions set forth in L.Cr.R. 101.1(a), (b) and (c) pertain to all stages of criminal proceedings, including investigation before a grand jury, the post-arrest pretrial period, jury selection, and jury trial through verdict. (e) Nothing in this Rule is intended to preclude either the formulation or application of more restrictive rules relating to the release of any information about juvenile or other offenders. (f) Nothing in this Rule is intended to apply to the holding of hearings or the lawful issuance of reports by legislative, administrative or investigative bodies, nor to a reply by any attorney to charges of misconduct publicly made against that attorney. (g) The Court's supporting personnel including, among others, the Marshal, Deputy Marshals, the Clerk, Deputy Clerks, bailiffs, court reporters and employees or subcontractors retained by the Court-appointed official reporters, probation officers and their staffs, and members of the Judges' staffs, are prohibited from disclosing to any person, without authorization by the Court, information relating to a pending grand jury proceeding or a criminal case that is not part of the public record of the Court. The disclosure of information concerning grand jury proceedings, in camera arguments and hearings held in chambers or otherwise outside the presence of the public is also forbidden. (h) The Court, on motion of any party or on its own motion, may issue a special order governing such matters as extrajudicial statements by parties and witnesses likely to interfere with the rights of a party to a fair trial by an impartial jury, the seating and conduct in the courtroom of spectators and news media representatives, the management and sequestration of jurors and witnesses, and any other matters which the Court may deem appropriate for inclusion in such an order.