Criminal Justice (Corrections) in New Jersey

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

A 2825: Criminalizes fifth or subsequent drunk driving offenses.

This bill makes a fifth or subsequent drunk driving conviction a third-degree crime in New Jersey, punishable by up to $15,000 in fines or 5 years in prison. It requires a 10-year driver's license suspension for these offenses, increasing to 20 years if the offense occurs near schools (on school property, within 1,000 feet, or at an unmarked school crossing with juveniles present). Offenders must complete alcohol education and treatment programs or face a mandatory two-day jail term and extended license suspension. The law applies to all fifth or subsequent DUI convictions occurring after its effective date.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 1422: Requires DOC to establish and implement standards for cell sizes in prison housing units.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections to establish minimum cell size standards for state prison housing. It mandates at least 35 square feet of usable space per person in single-occupancy cells and 25 square feet per person in shared cells, with a minimum ceiling height of eight feet. These standards must meet or exceed those set by the American Correctional Association. The law directly affects all state prison inmates by setting concrete habitability requirements for their living conditions. It was introduced to the Assembly Public Safety Committee in January 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 1760: Directs DOLWD to identify, and post on website, employment opportunities with minimal barriers to entry for persons returning to workforce after imprisonment.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to identify and publicly post on its website employment opportunities with minimal entry barriers for people returning to work after incarceration. It directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals who face employment challenges like employer stigma and lack of educational opportunities. The key mechanism is DOLWD's ongoing duty to list jobs that have low barriers to entry and high demand. The bill aims to improve reintegration into the workforce by making accessible job listings available to this population, without specifying how employers will be engaged or how success will be measured.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Workforce Development

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

A 297: Lowers monetary threshold for certain motor vehicle theft to constitute second degree crime.

This bill amends New Jersey's theft statute to set a specific $25,000 value threshold for motor vehicle theft to be classified as a second-degree crime. Currently, most thefts exceeding $75,000 are second-degree, but this change ensures motor vehicles valued at $25,000 or more automatically qualify as second-degree offenses (punishable by up to 10 years in prison), while vehicles under $25,000 remain third-degree theft. It directly affects individuals who steal motor vehicles worth $25,000 or more, raising the severity of penalties for higher-value auto thefts. The bill maintains the existing structure but clarifies the lower threshold specifically for motor vehicles.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 351: Increases penalty for motor vehicle theft if, during course of theft, vehicle is operated in manner creating risk of injury or property damage.

This bill upgrades motor vehicle theft to a first-degree crime if, during the theft, the vehicle is operated in a way that creates a risk of injury to people or damage to property. It directly affects individuals who steal vehicles and drive recklessly while doing so, such as through high-speed chases or dangerous maneuvers. The key provision increases penalties to up to 20 years in prison or a $200,000 fine for this specific reckless conduct. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 2136: Establishes crime of selling or purchasing marijuana from unlicensed businesses.

New Jersey's A 2136 creates new criminal penalties for unlicensed marijuana sales and purchases. It makes it a third-degree crime (up to 5 years in prison or $15,000 fine) for owners of unlicensed businesses that manufacture, distribute, or dispense marijuana, and a second-degree crime (up to 10 years or $150,000 fine) for leaders of multi-location illegal networks. The bill also imposes a misdemeanor charge (up to 6 months or $1,000 fine) for knowingly buying marijuana from unlicensed businesses. Enforcement allows state police and the Attorney General to shut down violating businesses and seize illegally sold marijuana. This bill supplements existing law (CREAMMA) by adding specific penalties for unlicensed commercial activity, not personal use.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Policing

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

A 3387: Makes human trafficking-related crimes subject to No Early Release Act sentencing.

This bill changes sentencing for human trafficking convictions in New Jersey. It makes human trafficking crimes (including labor exploitation and sexual trafficking of adults or children) punishable as first-degree offenses, requiring a minimum 20-year prison sentence with no parole eligibility for 20 years. Convicted traffickers must also pay restitution to victims based on New Jersey's prevailing wage laws, and fines collected will fund a survivor assistance program. The law directly affects traffickers convicted under these provisions, increasing penalties and ensuring victims receive financial compensation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Sentencing

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

A 1771: Requires DOC to report certain information concerning halfway houses.

This bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Corrections to submit quarterly reports to legislative leaders detailing the operation of residential community release programs (including halfway houses). The reports must include specific data on reimbursement rates, inmate demographics by offense type (violent vs. non-violent), escape/abscondment rates, safety incidents, and measures to prevent violence. It also mandates an annual analysis of each program's effectiveness, with a focus on recidivism rates, and recommendations for improvement. The bill directly affects correctional programs and the state legislature, which will use the data to monitor program performance.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 3239: Limits negotiated plea agreements for crime of burglary when firearm involved.

This bill prohibits prosecutors from offering negotiated plea agreements that reduce prison time or fines for burglary convictions when a firearm was involved. It directly affects defendants charged with burglary who used a firearm during the crime, requiring them to face the full second-degree penalty rather than a reduced sentence through plea bargaining. The law amends New Jersey's burglary statute to specify that such plea agreements are ineligible if the defendant was "armed with or displays what appears to be explosives or a deadly weapon" during the offense. The bill defines "firearm" broadly to include handguns, rifles, shotguns, and certain air guns, but does not change the underlying burglary charges or penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

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

A 4084: Provides earned time credits to reduce parole eligibility date for inmates who participate in substance abuse treatment program.

This bill allows New Jersey inmates participating in full-time substance abuse treatment programs to earn enhanced time credits toward parole eligibility. Specifically, it requires the corrections commissioner to award inmates 1.5 times the standard commutation (good time) credits they would normally receive during their participation in such programs. These additional credits directly reduce the inmate's parole eligibility date, meaning they become eligible for parole sooner than under standard credit calculations. The provision applies to all eligible inmates in substance abuse treatment programs, supplementing existing credit systems without altering mandatory minimum sentencing rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing Substance Abuse

All criminal justice bills