Criminal Justice (Courts) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4258: Revises law concerning vacating court orders to expunge criminal records.

This bill revises New Jersey law to allow courts to vacate (cancel) expungement orders for criminal records at any time, not just within five years as previously required. It directly affects individuals who had criminal records expunged, as courts can now reconsider those orders if "good cause" exists - such as new convictions after expungement, changes in circumstances, or eligibility errors. Key mechanisms include expanding the grounds for vacating orders beyond undisclosed prior charges and adding procedural steps: petitions must include proof of service, objections must be filed within 60 days, and courts must rule within 120 days. The changes aim to provide flexibility for courts while ensuring due process for affected individuals.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

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

A 997: Reallocates fines incurred for violations of "Antwan's Law" to local municipality for law enforcement purposes.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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

A 1761: Requires notice to be provided by municipal court to applicant for public defender of fee and process to waive fee for inability to pay.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

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

A 219: Allows juvenile to be tried as adult regardless of age for certain drug offenses resulting in death; imposes life imprisonment for conviction of strict liability for drug induced deaths if victim was under age 18.

This bill (A 219) changes New Jersey law regarding drug-related deaths involving minors. It makes distributors of certain Schedule I/II drugs (like methamphetamine or LSD) strictly liable for deaths caused by those drugs when the victim is under 18, imposing life imprisonment without parole if the drugs were in quantities of one ounce or more. It also automatically waives juvenile court jurisdiction for offenders aged 15 or older who caused such deaths, sending them directly to adult court. The bill affects drug distributors whose actions result in the death of a minor under 18, with no defense available for the victim’s own drug use or consent. The bill was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4094: Upgrades penalties for certain crimes involving heroin and fentanyl; establishes new crimes concerning heroin mixtures; allows certain defendants to be eligible for drug court.

This bill increases penalties for crimes involving heroin and fentanyl, resulting in longer prison sentences for offenders. It establishes new criminal offenses for specific heroin mixtures (blends containing heroin combined with other substances) and expands eligibility for drug court programs. Defendants charged with these offenses may now qualify for drug court, which provides treatment-focused alternatives to incarceration. These changes apply to individuals in New Jersey facing drug-related charges under state law.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Drug Policy

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

A 2511: Requires Pretrial Services to recommend pretrial detention of certain repeat offenders.

This New Jersey bill (A 2511) requires courts to presume pretrial detention for certain repeat offenders or those facing serious charges, rather than allowing release on bail. It directly affects defendants with prior convictions for specific crimes - including murder, life-sentence offenses, two or more violent crimes, or domestic violence - when prosecutors file a motion. Key provisions include a rebuttable presumption of detention (meaning defendants can challenge it with evidence), mandatory hearings within three days of a motion, and a lower burden of proof ("preponderance of evidence") to overturn the presumption. The law aims to ensure defendants appear in court and do not pose community safety risks, while still allowing courts to consider release conditions if justified.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3447: Requires court to consider results of domestic violence assessment before dissolving certain domestic violence restraining orders.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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

A 1381: Broadens statute that criminalizes cyber-harassment of minor.

This bill (A1381) proposes to expand New Jersey's cyber-harassment law to make it a more serious offense when an adult (18 or older) harasses a minor online, removing the previous requirement that the offender must impersonate a minor. The key change clarifies that targeting minors online with threats, lewd content, or criminal threats becomes a third-degree crime (with potential 3-5 year prison time), while other cyber-harassment remains a less severe fourth-degree offense. It also requires courts to order minors convicted of cyber-harassment to complete educational programs about online safety, and imposes fines on parents who fail to ensure their minor complies with these court orders. The bill aims to strengthen protections for minors by broadening criminal penalties and adding accountability for both offenders and parents.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Online Safety

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

A 3264: Expands cyber-harassment to include reckless online communications.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

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

A 1666: Eliminates conviction of indictable offense as automatic disqualifier for jury service under certain circumstances.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Violent Crime

All criminal justice bills