Opinion ID: 2264462
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: N.J.S.A. 2C:25-22 of the Domestic Violence Act

Text: In addition to the good-faith immunity provided by the Tort Claims Act, defendants also are shielded by the specific immunity provided under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-22 of the Domestic Violence Act. Plaintiff's arrest was made pursuant to the Domestic Violence Act. Domestic violence remains a serious problem in our society. Cesare v. Cesare, 154 N.J. 394, 397, 713 A. 2d 390 (1998). In Cesare, we outlined the legislative history of the Domestic Violence Act and confirmed New Jersey's strong policy against domestic violence. Id. at 398-400, 713 A. 2d 390. See N.J.S.A. 2C:25-18; Preamble, L. 1994, Joint Resolution No. 2 reprinted at N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17. The purpose of the Domestic Violence Act is to assure the victims of domestic violence the maximum protection from abuse the law can provide. N.J.S.A. 2C:25-18. The Legislature specifically addressed the need to counter prevailing societal views regarding acts of domestic violence. Ibid. The Legislature particularly sought to cure the reluctance on the part of police to arrest alleged perpetrators of domestic violence that had contributed to the underenforcement of the domestic violence laws. Ibid. Indeed, the legislative findings underlying the Domestic Violence Act assert: It is the intent of the Legislature to stress that the primary duty of a law enforcement officer when responding to a domestic violence call is to enforce the laws allegedly violated and to protect the victim.