NEW JERSEY – Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez (D-32) introduced “Cassie’s Law” to penalize bad actors who hide evidence of a crime, and provide an avenue for victims of evidence obstruction to pursue justice.
“A5193 came out of the horrifying incident involving singer and model Cassie Ventura, whose then-boyfriend Sean “P. Diddy” Combs physically assaulted her in a hotel in 2016. The hotel caught the attack on their security camera, but staff was bribed into hiding the video evidence. The footage substantiates Ventura’s claims of abuse, however, it only came to light in 2024 after the statute of limitations on her assault had expired,” Ramirez said.
As a trial attorney specializing in representing survivors of sexual assault, Ramirez is very familiar with the barriers survivors face and the ways the criminal justice system needs reform.
“Survivors of abuse deserve every opportunity to pursue justice without obstruction, and we need to provide an avenue for retribution when obstruction does occur.” said Ramirez. “Cassie should have been able to access her own evidence within the statute of limitations. This happens far too often to victims of domestic violence, and it needs to end now.”
By introducing this bill, Assemblywoman Ramirez and her colleagues aim to protect the rights of survivors and hold those who obstruct justice accountable.
