Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 447: Upgrades burglary of residence to crime of second degree.

This bill upgrades burglary of a residence (a dwelling or structure adapted for overnight accommodation) to a second-degree crime, regardless of whether the burglar was armed or caused injury. Currently, such burglaries are typically third-degree unless specific aggravating factors exist. The change means offenders convicted of entering a home unlawfully will face a second-degree charge, requiring them to serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before parole eligibility under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA). This directly affects individuals convicted of residential burglary, increasing potential prison time compared to the current third-degree classification. The bill amends New Jersey law to automatically classify these offenses as second-degree burglary under Section 2C:18-2(b)(3).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeUpgrades burglary to second-degree, increasing mandatory sentence length and reducing parole eligibility, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1394: Concerns keyless locking mechanisms and burglar's tools.

This bill amends New Jersey's burglary law to explicitly include keyless locking mechanisms in the definition of "burglar's tools." It makes it a crime to manufacture, sell, or publish plans for tools designed to bypass keyless locks (a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine), while merely possessing such tools would be a lesser disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine). The law directly affects individuals or businesses creating or distributing tools that can access premises without physical keys. It updates existing burglary statutes to address modern keyless lock technology without changing broader burglary penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by defining keyless lock bypass tools as burglar's tools, increasing penalties for manufacturing/selling such tools under burglary law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 909: Increases penalties for second or subsequent stalking or harassment offenses, increases penalty for first offense of harassment.

This bill (S 909) increases penalties for repeated stalking and harassment offenses in New Jersey. It upgrades second or subsequent stalking offenses to a third-degree crime (previously fourth-degree), requiring a mandatory three-year prison sentence with no parole eligibility. Similarly, second or subsequent harassment offenses would become third-degree crimes (up from a petty disorderly persons offense), also carrying the same mandatory three-year sentence. The changes apply to all repeat offenses, not just against the same victim as current law, and affect anyone convicted of these crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory 3-year sentences for repeat offenses with no parole, expanding criminalization and restricting defendant rights per 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Probation & Parole

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 992: Makes desecration of military monument crime of third degree.

This bill makes it a third-degree crime to deliberately damage or deface military monuments in New Jersey. It specifically targets monuments erected to honor military personnel or commemorate battles, defining "desecrate" as defacing, damaging, or polluting such sites. The law elevates penalties for harming these monuments from a disorderly persons offense to a criminal offense, with third-degree crimes carrying potential jail time. It directly affects anyone who intentionally damages these specific types of monuments, which include war memorials and military cemeteries.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates monument desecration from disorderly persons to third-degree crime, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization under sentencing laws.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProtects military monuments honoring veterans, directly supporting recognition of their service through criminal penalties for desecration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1020: Establishes third degree crime of gang assault.

S 1020 creates a new third-degree crime in New Jersey for "gang assault," defined as causing bodily injury to another person when aided by two or more other people actually present and with intent to cause harm. It directly affects individuals who commit violent assaults in groups of three or more, including those targeting third parties. The bill specifies that "bodily injury" includes physical pain, illness, or physical impairment, and sets penalties of 3-5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. This law is modeled after a similar provision in New York state law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new third-degree crime with 3-5 year prison sentence, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties for gang assaults.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 103: Establishes new offenses concerning unlawful possession and use of credit card scanners.

Bill S 103 creates new criminal offenses for the unlawful possession and use of credit card scanners in New Jersey. It makes possessing such a device without a lawful purpose a disorderly persons offense (misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 fine or 6 months in jail), and using it for unlawful purposes a second-degree crime (felony punishable by up to $150,000 fine or 5-10 years in prison). The bill directly affects individuals who handle credit card scanners without authorization, such as those attempting to steal card data. Key provisions define "credit card scanner" broadly as any device that reads, records, or transmits card information, and establish specific penalties for each violation. The law takes effect two months after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offenses with enhanced penalties (misdemeanor/felony) for unauthorized credit card scanner possession/use, expanding criminalization without reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes unlawful possession/use of credit card scanners to prevent data theft, directly enhancing cybersecurity and data privacy protections.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 887: Lowers monetary threshold for certain motor vehicle theft to constitute second degree crime.

This bill (S 887) lowers the monetary threshold for motor vehicle theft to qualify as a second-degree crime. Currently, motor vehicle theft is a third-degree offense (up to 5 years in prison) if the vehicle is valued under $25,000. The bill would reclassify theft of a vehicle valued at $25,000 or more as a second-degree crime (up to 10 years in prison), while vehicles under $25,000 would remain third-degree. It directly affects individuals who steal vehicles meeting this new value threshold, increasing potential penalties for higher-value vehicle thefts. The change specifically modifies New Jersey's theft statute (N.J.S.2C:20-2) to adjust the grading for motor vehicles.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum sentence from 5 to 10 years for vehicle theft over $25k, expanding criminal penalties and restricting defendant rights through harsher sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2036: Classifies xylazine as Schedule III controlled dangerous substance under certain circumstances.

This bill adds xylazine to New Jersey's Schedule III controlled substances list, meaning it is now classified as a controlled drug with specific legal restrictions. The exception explicitly allows veterinarians to prescribe, administer, or dispense xylazine for animal care without violating the law. Illegally possessing, distributing, or using xylazine would become a third-degree crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $35,000. This change directly affects people who misuse xylazine outside of veterinary contexts, while leaving veterinary practice unaffected.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies xylazine as Schedule III, increasing penalties for illegal use (up to 5 years, $35k fine), expanding criminalization without reform elements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1931: Increases penalty for reckless vehicular homicide committed when driving while intoxicated under certain circumstances.

This bill (S 1931) increases penalties for reckless vehicular homicide when the driver was intoxicated. It elevates the offense to a first-degree crime if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs while operating a vehicle near schools or school zones, including: within 1,000 feet of school property, through designated school crossings, near school crossings with juveniles present (even if unmarked), or in highway construction zones. Convictions under these circumstances require a minimum prison term of one-third to one-half of the sentence or three years (whichever is greater), with no parole eligibility during that period, plus a license suspension of 5 years to life. The law applies directly to drivers convicted of causing death while driving intoxicated in these specific locations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for intoxicated vehicular homicide near schools, elevating to first-degree crime. This increases mandatory sentencing, a direct indicator for oppose in criminal justice reform context.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for drunk driving near schools, enhancing road safety regulations - directly strengthens transportation safety standards95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Violent Crime Driver Licensing Roads & Highways

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 344: Clarifies crime of highway and public passage obstruction and increases penalties.

This bill clarifies and increases penalties for obstructing highways or public passages in New Jersey. It separates reckless obstruction (now a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to 6 months in jail or $1,000 fine) from purposeful obstruction that affects commerce (now a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine). The bill also specifies that gathering to hear speech or communicate does not alone constitute obstruction, and makes it a violation to refuse a reasonable official order to move from a public passage. It directly affects individuals who block roads or public areas, whether alone or in groups, and updates existing penalties from current petty disorderly offense standards.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for obstruction, expanding criminalization under criminal justice. Specifies harsher punishments for commerce-impacting obstruction, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for highway obstruction to enhance safety and prevent traffic disruptions, directly supporting transportation infrastructure integrity and safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Roads & Highways

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