New Jersey

Ruling Overturns Judge's Decision to Release Pregnant Woman Charged With Assault and Robbery

The ruling issued Friday overturned a state judge's decision that Imani Williams could be released pending her trial on aggravated assault and robbery charges.

A New Jersey appellate court has ruled that pregnancy should not be given greater weight than other factors when a judge decides if a defendant should remain in custody pending trial.

The ruling issued Friday overturned a state judge's decision that Imani Williams could be released pending her trial on aggravated assault and robbery charges.

Lawyers for the 20-year-old Riverside woman had argued she shouldn't be detained because she had a job and was about two-months pregnant. But Burlington County prosecutors argued that Williams could be violent, has an extensive history of criminal activity and past violations of probation.

The appellate court found that the judge gave Williams' pregnancy "undue weight," noting that the jail system would be able to provide her with appropriate prenatal care.

The panel ruled that pregnancy, like any other medical condition, should only be considered for its impact on the risk of a defendant posing a danger to the community, obstructing justice or failing to appear in court. But it did note that some pregnancies, whether they be high-risk or have a more direct impact on a defendant's health and ability to appear in court, could outweigh other concerns in determining if a defendant should be detained.

"Although the trial judge here properly considered several of the listed applicable factors, he elevated defendant's medical condition of pregnancy above all of the other pertinent factors, based on his unfounded speculation that her pregnancy might cause 'issues' to the correctional facility," the decision says.

Williams was arrested in June after she allegedly jumped a woman from behind. Police say she punched and kicked the woman before stealing money from her purse. Williams is being represented by a public defender, who normally do not comment on pending cases.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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