The 1986 crime rate in New Jersey was 52.7 crimes per 1,000 population. Of 398,541 crimes reported in 1986, 43,456 or 11 percent were violent crimes. Nonviolent offenses accounted for 355,085 or 89 percent of 1986 index crimes. The total value of property stolen in 1986 amounted to $523.7 million, up 25 percent over 1985. Of adults arrested in New Jersey during 1986, only 3.7 percent had a criminal history of 10 or more arrests. Six of ten adult offenders had only one arrest in their criminal histories. New Jersey's criminal justice system is described as a loose confederation of agencies that work together to apprehend, try, and sentence persons who violate criminal laws. Although differences exist among counties in specific practices and procedures, the processing of an adult offender convicted of a serious crime involves a standard process: arrest by the police, prosecution, provision of defense counsel, sentencing in open court, placement on probation or confinement in a correctional facility, and parole release and supervision. The primary responsibility for police protection in New Jersey rests with municipal police departments. Criminal prosecution and defense functions are reviewed as are case processing, the courts' role in criminal sentencing, sentencing and the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice, the speedy trial program, probation, community service programs, correctional facilities and inmates, parole, and intensive surveillance/supervision. Current issues, developments, and trends facing New Jersey's criminal justice system are highlighted. Tables and figures