Criminal Justice in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 248: Establishes rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for child sexual abuse and child endangerment.

This bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that defendants charged with specific child-related offenses must be held in pretrial detention unless they prove otherwise. It directly affects individuals accused of child sexual abuse (sexual assault or criminal sexual contact with a minor) or endangering a child's welfare when the victim is a minor. Under the bill, courts must presume pretrial detention is necessary for these cases without requiring the prosecutor to prove it, shifting the burden to the defendant to demonstrate why release would be safe. The presumption applies only to the exact offenses listed in the bill text, such as N.J.S.2C:14-2 (sexual assault with minor victim) and N.J.S.2C:24-4 (endangering welfare of a child). Defendants may challenge this presumption at a hearing but remain detained pending appeal.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2785: Increases prison time for certain persons convicted of a motor vehicle offense when license suspended for DUI.

This bill increases penalties for driving with a license suspended due to a DUI conviction. For third or subsequent offenses, it mandates 30 to 180 days in jail (up from fines alone) and adds a 1-year license suspension extension. It also imposes longer prison terms (60-180 days for repeat offenses) when driving near schools, school zones, or within 1,000 feet of school property. These changes apply specifically to individuals convicted of operating a vehicle during a DUI-related license suspension.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Corrections Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 361: Increases penalties for motor vehicle theft; authorizes home detention for minors.

This bill amends New Jersey's theft statute to reclassify motor vehicle theft as a second-degree crime (previously third-degree), increasing penalties. It adds a new fine structure: $500 for a first offense, $750 for a second, and $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense, with courts able to suspend driving privileges for up to 10 years. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of stealing vehicles, including repeat offenders. Note: The bill title mentions "home detention for minors," but the provided text only addresses theft penalties and driving sanctions - no home detention provisions are included in the cited sections. The bill is pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 412: Provides act of domestic violence or child endangerment committed during state of emergency may be classified one degree higher than underlying offense.

This bill (A 412) allows prosecutors to charge domestic violence or child endangerment offenses as one degree more serious during declared emergencies (national, state, or county). It directly affects individuals committing these acts while a state of emergency is in effect. Under current law, such offenses are charged at their standard level, but this bill gives prosecutors discretion to elevate the charge classification during emergencies. The change applies specifically to cases where a criminal complaint is filed under existing domestic violence or child endangerment statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 327: "Stolen Car Accountability Act"; concerns juveniles tried as adults for motor vehicle theft and residential burglary.

This bill creates a specific plea option for juveniles charged with both residential burglary and motor vehicle theft during the same incident, under strict conditions: no firearm use, no bodily injury, and no prior serious offenses. Prosecutors may offer a deal where the burglary charge is dismissed if the juvenile pleads guilty to motor vehicle theft (as a third-degree crime) and receives a 5-year prison sentence with 3 years of parole ineligibility. Juveniles who reject this plea but later provide evidence leading to an adult's arrest for similar crimes can later negotiate reduced sentences. The bill also shortens the expungement waiting period from 5 to 3 years for those who accept the plea or later qualify for sentencing reductions.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice Sentencing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 333: Makes desecration of military monument crime of the third degree.

This New Jersey bill makes intentionally damaging or defacing military monuments a serious criminal offense (third-degree crime). It specifically targets monuments erected to honor military personnel or commemorate battles, defining "desecration" as defacing, damaging, or polluting such sites. The law applies directly to individuals who intentionally harm these monuments, with penalties including criminal charges. It clarifies that only monuments with military intent - such as those honoring service members or marking battles - are covered under this provision.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 520: Creates offense of making false child abuse report; permits assessment of penalty.

This bill makes knowingly making a false report of child abuse or neglect a crime. It targets individuals who submit false reports under New Jersey's child abuse reporting law, imposing a third-degree criminal penalty (up to 5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine) and adding a separate civil penalty of up to $10,000. The civil penalty funds the Department of Children and Families. The law applies immediately upon enactment and directly affects people who file false reports, not the victims or reporting systems.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1203: "CJ's Law"; Criminalizes manufacture and distribution of substances containing kratom under certain circumstances.

New Jersey's A1203 "CJ's Law" would make it illegal to manufacture or distribute substances containing kratom under specific circumstances by amending the state's controlled substances laws. The bill defines "controlled dangerous substances" broadly to include substances that metabolize into controlled drugs, directly targeting kratom products. This would affect businesses and individuals involved in producing or selling kratom-based products, shifting them from current legal status to criminalized activity under new penalties. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee after introduction on January 13, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3090: Establishes fourth degree crime of cyber-interference.

This bill makes it a fourth-degree crime to intentionally tamper with or interfere with someone else's electronic device (including smart home systems, security systems, phones, or cameras) with the purpose of harassing them. It defines "electronic device" broadly to cover any device capable of transmitting or recording information electronically. Violations carry penalties of up to 18 months in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both. The law applies directly to individuals who engage in such interference, not to the devices or systems themselves.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 413: Makes desecration of military monument crime of the third degree.

This bill amends New Jersey law to classify intentionally damaging or defacing a military monument as a third-degree crime, rather than a lesser disorderly persons offense. It defines "desecrate" as defacing, damaging, or polluting, and specifies that a "military monument" includes any structure honoring military personnel or commemorating battles. The law directly affects individuals who purposefully harm such monuments, with penalties for third-degree crimes. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

All criminal justice bills