MICHAEL MAZZA IS THE PRETRIAL ASSISTANT CRIMINAL DIVISION MANAGER. HE RECEIVED A BA FROM RUTGERS AND A LAW DEGREE FROM NY LAW SCHOOL. HE JOINED THE NJ JUDICIARY IN
2001 AS AN INVESTIGATOR FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURT, HEADING THE INTAKE PRETRIAL TEAM AND COORDINATED DAILY INITIAL APPEARANCES AND BAIL REVIEWS. MICHAEL DISCUSSED THE JANUARY
1, 2017 CHANGES IN THE NJ CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDES THE BAIL SYSTEM AND A NEW SPEEDY TRIAL LAW. THE NEW LAW WILL ELIMINATE THE CURRENT SYSTEM THAT FAVORS DEFENDANTS WITH MONEY QUICKLY GETTING OUT OF JAIL ON BAIL VERSUS THOSE WITHOUT THE MEANS TO GET BAIL SPENDING MORE TIME IN JAIL AWAITING TRIAL. UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, THE ARRESTING OFFICER WITH THE PROSECUTOR WILL CONTACT A JUDGE TO DETERMINE IF THE CRIME AND HISTORY OF THE DEFENDANT THOUGH A COMPUTER RATING SYSTEM MERITS A SUMMONS (NO JAIL) OR A WARRANT WHICH REQUIRES IMMEDIATE JAIL. A BAIL HEARING WILL BE HELD IN 48 HOURS OR LESS FOLLOWED BY A SPEEDY TRIAL.