This bill (A 3267) requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities to refuse federal immigration detainer requests unless the person has been convicted of specific serious crimes, such as murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, or terrorism. It prohibits agencies from detaining, transferring, or notifying federal authorities about a person solely based on immigration requests unless one of these 21 offenses applies. The bill does not prevent agencies from sharing immigration status information with other government entities under existing federal law (8 U.S.C. 1373). It aligns with court rulings confirming states are not obligated to comply with immigration detainers and mirrors California’s "Trust Act" approach. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This New Jersey bill (S 3338) requires courts to issue restraining orders as a condition of release for defendants charged with crimes before trial. It bars defendants from entering specific locations related to the alleged crime - such as victims' homes, workplaces, or schools - unless exceptions apply. The court must issue these orders when defendants are released on bail (via warrant, summons, or juvenile complaint), defining the prohibited areas clearly. Exceptions allow the court to waive the order if the defendant proves a legitimate need to be at the location (e.g., residence) or if the order would cause undue hardship to innocent people.
This Assembly Resolution (AR 118) urges the New Jersey Supreme Court to establish payment kiosks for court-ordered payments like fines and fees. It proposes expanding the existing kiosk system currently used for child support payments - available at locations like pharmacies - to make court payments more accessible. The resolution specifically aims to help individuals with limited internet access or difficulty visiting municipal buildings. As a non-binding resolution, it requests the court consider this option but does not create new law.
This bill revises New Jersey's domestic violence laws to strengthen firearm restrictions for alleged abusers. It requires law enforcement officers to arrest individuals suspected of domestic violence when there is probable cause, including cases involving visible injuries, existing restraining orders, or weapons. Officers must seize firearms on the premises if they believe a victim faces serious injury risk, and must deliver seized weapons to the county prosecutor within 45 days. The prosecutor may then petition a court to revoke the accused person's firearm permits or return weapons to the owner, with a hearing required within 45 days of seizure. The law directly affects domestic violence victims, alleged abusers, law enforcement, and courts handling these cases.
This bill amends "Antwan's Law" (P.L.2019, c.5) to change where fines for speeding violations in specific Burlington City zones on Route 130 go. Currently, fines for these violations are tripled but split between the municipality (for general use/municipal court) and the county (for road maintenance). The bill changes this so all fines collected for violating these speed limits must be paid directly into the local municipality's treasury for law enforcement purposes. It directly affects drivers who exceed the reduced speed limits in the designated areas of Burlington City.
This bill requires municipal courts in New Jersey to notify applicants for public defender services about any application fee (capped at $200) and the process to waive it if they cannot afford the fee. It directly affects low-income individuals applying for municipal public defender representation in municipalities that charge such fees under existing law. The key mechanism mandates that courts provide this notice to all applicants, ensuring they know how to request a fee waiver based on financial inability. The bill does not change the fee amount or waiver standard but ensures courts proactively inform applicants of their options.
This bill requires courts to consider the results of a domestic violence assessment before ending certain domestic violence restraining orders. It specifically applies when a defendant has two or more such orders in place, mandating they undergo a court-ordered assessment (paid for by the defendant) and have the assessment findings reviewed by the court. The court must weigh these findings alongside existing factors like the victim's safety concerns and the defendant's history of violations. The assessment results are treated as confidential information during the court's decision-making process.
This bill (A 3264) proposes to expand New Jersey's cyber-harassment law to include online communications made with "reckless disregard for the safety of another," not just those intended to harass. It adds a new provision where reckless online threats, sharing lewd material recklessly, or making threats against someone's property or person could be charged as a disorderly persons offense (a less serious offense than current fourth-degree crimes). The bill directly affects people making online communications, minors found guilty of cyber-harassment (who may face mandatory education programs), and parents/guardians who fail to comply with court orders related to their minor's behavior. If enacted, it would change penalties for reckless online harassment from higher-level crimes to a less severe classification.
This bill (A 1666) amends New Jersey law to allow people with certain past criminal convictions to serve on juries, removing an automatic disqualification. It directly affects individuals convicted of most serious crimes (indictable offenses) in New Jersey, other states, or federal court, provided they do not have a conviction for murder or aggravated sexual assault. The key change eliminates the automatic bar for these past convictions, though current incarceration for any serious offense still disqualifies someone. The bill maintains existing exceptions for murder (N.J.S.2C:11-3) and aggravated sexual assault (N.J.S.2C:14-2), and does not apply to those currently serving prison sentences.
This bill allows defendants on probation or suspended sentences to earn earlier release by complying with court conditions. For every full month of compliance, their sentence is reduced by 30 days, with courts reviewing eligibility every six months. However, individuals convicted of specific serious offenses - including certain sex crimes against minors, child endangerment, or kidnapping - remain ineligible for these reductions. The bill also requires the state to track recidivism rates to assess how this policy affects reoffending. It amends New Jersey's criminal sentencing laws (N.J.S.2C:45-2 and 2C:45-3) to implement these changes.
