N.J. Supreme Court: Punitives for Wrongdoer Only, Not for General Deterrence

Posted on Friday 28 March 2008

Punitive damages cannot be awarded as a general deterrent but only to deter and punish the defendant who committed the wrong, the New Jersey Supreme Court held on Thursday. The justices also said jurors weighing punitives should consider the defendant's financial condition not only at the time of the verdict but also at the time of the wrongdoing, even if the defendant is now defunct and without assets.

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