Partner John Baldante was featured in the Law360 article “How A NJ Clergy Abuse Probe Will Reshape Defense Strategy” on July 17, 2025. The article discusses the New Jersey Supreme Court’s pivotal decision which allows the grand jury to investigate clergy abuse claims. The Court’s decision stated that accusations of clergy sex abuse justify grand jury presentments, which happen only when ongoing “public affairs and conditions” warrant a formal probe, Baldante explained.
This landmark decision may lead to criminal charges against the Diocese. And importantly, it will allow plaintiff attorneys to access information disclosed through the presentment, which will ultimately provide attorneys for survivors with important reports concerning the systemic institutional behaviors within the Diocese that ratified child sexual abuse conduct.
The Diocese of Camden noted that it is now willing to “cooperate fully” with criminal investigations. “To the victims and all those impacted by abuse, we reaffirm our sorrow, our support, and our unwavering resolve to do what is right, now and always,” the Diocese stated.
“The question you have to ask is: Does the grand jury investigation serve an important public policy? The answer here is yes,” Baldante explained, “It’s hard to imagine a more important public interest than the protection of children from sex abuse.” To read the article for Law360, please click on the following link.