Criminal Justice in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3754: Establishes "Automotive Anti-Theft Systems Task Force."

This bill creates a new Automotive Anti-Theft Systems Task Force within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to study ways to prevent car theft and parts theft. The task force will be made up of 16 members, including state officials, representatives from law enforcement and various industry groups, and four public members with automotive manufacturing experience. Its main job is to review current vehicle design features and security products, then submit a report with recommendations for improvements to the Governor and Legislature within six months of starting. The bill takes effect immediately but will end once the task force completes its report and submits it to state leaders.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 23, 2026

A 4803: Requires YJC to publish information regarding juveniles who were waived to adult criminal court and are serving custodial sentences in State juvenile facilities.

This bill requires New Jersey's Youth Justice Commission to create and maintain a public registry of juveniles who were transferred to adult criminal court and are currently serving sentences in state juvenile facilities. The registry will include personal details such as names, sentences, facility locations, release dates, and criminal histories for both juveniles whose cases were waived without their consent and those who elected the waiver. Additionally, the commission must publish biennial reports with aggregated data on offenses, incarceration terms, demographics, and incidents like violence or segregation within these facilities. The law also mandates that the commission publish parole eligibility criteria online and provide this information to each incarcerated juvenile.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 3908: Requires Attorney General to establish and maintain domestic extremist organization database.

This New Jersey bill requires the state Attorney General to create and maintain a publicly accessible online database of domestic extremist organizations. The database would include details such as group names, purposes, membership tactics, and known criminal activities. It defines domestic extremism as violent criminal acts motivated by political or ideological viewpoints and requires the Attorney General to consult with Homeland Security officials when establishing the system. The law would affect law enforcement agencies, military personnel, and the public who might use the database for information about such groups.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4553: Requires sexual assault forensic evidence to be preserved for 10 years.

This bill requires all sexual assault forensic evidence in New Jersey to be kept for at least 10 years from the date it was collected, or 10 years after a minor victim turns 18, regardless of whether the case was reported or the victim released the evidence. It applies to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, healthcare facilities, and crime laboratories, which must notify victims within 30 days of collection that the evidence may be discarded after the 10-year period. County prosecutors or the Division of Criminal Justice may authorize destruction after the retention period, with provisions for transferring custody to the state if needed. The law also allows custodians to contract with other entities to ensure proper storage of the evidence.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3864: Limits use of State, county, and municipal property or funding to support immigrant detention facilities.

This bill prohibits New Jersey state, county, and municipal governments from using public funds or property to build, operate, or support immigrant detention facilities. It specifically bans spending money to construct or renovate facilities, leasing public property to private entities for detention use, subsidizing privately owned detention centers, and paying for the detention costs of individuals in privately operated facilities. The legislation allows local and state governments to continue providing health and safety resources to people detained in these facilities while restricting financial and property support for their operation.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 11, 2026

A 4542: Makes it fourth degree crime to engage in certain tracking and location activities.

This bill makes it a fourth-degree crime to knowingly install or use electronic tracking devices or applications to monitor another person's location when doing so is intended to start or help commit an illegal act. It directly affects individuals who use GPS trackers, spyware, or similar technology to surveil others without permission, with exceptions for parents tracking minors, employers monitoring work-related vehicles, and situations involving consent or health safety concerns. The law requires written consent for tracking and automatically revokes that consent if a divorce or restraining order is filed, while also excluding government agencies from these restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3758: Directs State Auditor to conduct performance review audit of VCCO.

This bill directs the New Jersey State Auditor to conduct a performance review audit of the Victims of Crime Compensation Office, which is part of the Department of Law and Public Safety. The audit will examine how well the office uses its resources, whether it follows applicable laws and regulations, and if its staff levels are sufficient to meet its legal obligations. Key areas of review include the office's use of federal and state funding, the efficiency of its internal operations, and identification of any organizational weaknesses. The State Auditor must complete the audit and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within six months of the bill taking effect.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3037: Requires blood sample to be obtained from driver involved in motor vehicle accident resulting in death; designated as "Michelle Sous' Law."

This bill, known as Michelle Sous' Law, requires law enforcement to obtain a blood sample from any driver involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in a death. The law directly affects drivers who are involved in fatal crashes, ensuring that their blood alcohol concentration or drug presence is documented. This provision amends existing New Jersey statutes to make blood testing mandatory in fatal accident cases, rather than relying solely on driver consent. The measure aims to improve evidence collection for impaired driving investigations by removing the need for voluntary consent when a fatality is involved.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4043: Requires youth and sports organizations to obtain criminal history record background checks of certain volunteers, employees and organizers.*

This bill requires youth and sports organizations in New Jersey to obtain criminal history background checks for all employees, volunteers, and organizers working with individuals under 18 years of age. Organizations must request these checks through the State Bureau of Identification, and individuals must provide written consent before a check is conducted. The bill establishes that organizations bear the cost of the checks, mandates annual checks unless a valid check from the same year was already completed, and imposes civil penalties of up to $1,000 for organizations that fail to comply. Additionally, it creates criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly participate in youth organizations despite being disqualified based on their criminal history or for organizers who ignore background check results.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Firearms

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3796: Prohibits juror disqualification based on gender identity or sexual orientation; codifies procedures when discriminatory use of peremptory challenges is alleged.

This bill prohibits courts in New Jersey from disqualifying potential jurors based on their gender identity or sexual orientation, expanding existing protections against discrimination. It also establishes a formal process for handling claims that attorneys improperly use peremptory challenges to exclude jurors based on protected characteristics. Under the new rules, if a party objects to a juror's exclusion, the court must first determine if there is evidence of discriminatory intent, then require the attorney who made the challenge to provide a neutral, situation-specific reason for excluding that juror. If the court finds the challenge was discriminatory, it may impose penalties such as reseating the wrongfully excluded juror, forfeiting the improper challenge, or dismissing the jury panel to start selection over.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

All criminal justice bills