Court rule 7:9-1. Sentence

7:9-1. Sentence

• (a) Imposition of Sentence; Bail. If the defendant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a non-indictable offense, sentence shall be imposed immediately, unless the court postpones sentencing in order to obtain a presentence report or for other good cause. Pending sentence, the court may commit the defendant or continue or modify the bail. Before imposing sentence the court shall afford the defendant and defense counsel an opportunity to make a statement on defendant's behalf and to present any information in mitigation of punishment. Where a sentence has been opened and vacated, the defendant shall be resentenced immediately, except where a new trial is granted.
• (b) Statement of Reasons - Criminal Code Cases. In disorderly and petty disorderly cases and indictable fourth degree cases within the jurisdiction of the municipal court, at the time sentence is imposed the court shall state its reasons for imposing the sentence, including its findings respecting the criteria prescribed by N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1 to 2C:44-3 for withholding or imposing imprisonment, fines or restitution and pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:51-2 for ordering or denying forfeiture of public office, position, or employment. The court shall also state its factual basis for its finding of particular aggravating or mitigating factors affecting sentence.
• (c) Statement of Reasons – Non-Criminal Code Cases. In non-criminal code cases involving a consequence of magnitude, at the time the sentence is imposed the court shall state its reasons for imposing sentence, including the findings for withholding or imposing imprisonment, driver’s license suspension, fines, or restitution.
• (d) Probation. The court, at the time of sentencing, shall inform a defendant sentenced to probation of the penalties that may be imposed upon revocation of probation for failure to adhere to the conditions of probation.
• (e) Probation and Suspended Sentence. After conviction, unless otherwise provided by law, the court may suspend the imposition of a sentence or place the defendant on probation. The order shall require the defendant to comply with standard conditions of probation adopted by the court and filed with the municipal court administrator, as well as such special conditions, including a term of imprisonment pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:45-1(c), as the court imposes. As a condition of probation the court may also impose a term of community-related service to be performed by the defendant under such terms and conditions as the court may determine. A copy of the order, together with the standard and special conditions, shall be furnished to the defendant and read and explained to the defendant by the probation officer. The defendant and the probation officer shall sign a joint statement, to be filed with the municipal court administrator, as to the officer's compliance with the reading and explanation requirements of this rule. If the defendant refuses to sign the statement, the defendant shall be resentenced. At any time before termination of the period of suspension or probation, the court may revoke a suspension or probation pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:45-3.