New Jersey Ass'n for Retarded Citizens, Inc. v. New Jersey Department of Human Services

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

PASHMAN, J.

This case concerns the rights and liberties of mentally retarded citizens in public institutions in New Jersey. The parties disagree on the extent of the protection and freedom granted those individuals by state statutes. Today we interpret those statutes to grant mentally retarded children in State facilities the legal right to a thorough and efficient education suited to their individual needs and abilities. We further conclude that all mentally retarded adults in those facilities have the legal right to adequate training, habilitation,…