Criminal Justice (Courts) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2622: Grants discretion to court in expungement of records related to domestic violence arrests not resulting in conviction.

This bill (S 2622) changes New Jersey's automatic expungement rules for domestic violence arrests that don't result in conviction. Currently, courts must immediately expunge all records in such cases. The bill would grant courts discretion to delay expungement for up to six months if a county prosecutor objects, requiring the court to state its reasons on the record. It directly affects individuals arrested for domestic violence (as defined in N.J.S.2C:25-19) whose cases were dismissed, they were acquitted, or discharged without conviction. The key change is replacing automatic expungement with a court review process in domestic violence cases to prevent potential abuse of the system.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 214: Eliminates driver's license suspension for failure to pay parking tickets; requires registration suspension for more than five parking tickets.

This bill eliminates driver's license suspension for unpaid parking tickets or missed court appearances. Instead, it requires suspension of a vehicle's registration for individuals with more than five unpaid parking fines or penalties. The law includes a 30-day delay before registration suspension takes effect, requiring written notice explaining the reason and how to resolve the issue. It also mandates that courts offer payment alternatives (like installments or community service) based on a person's ability to pay. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents with multiple unresolved parking violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 18, 2026

S 1288: Concerns "Sexual Violence Restorative Justice Pilot Program."

This bill establishes a three-year "Sexual Violence Restorative Justice Pilot Program" in New Jersey, administered by the Attorney General through the Division of Violence and Victim Assistance. The program offers voluntary, trauma-informed restorative justice services to survivors of sexual violence (including those who haven’t reported to police), allowing them to participate in healing-focused processes like facilitated conferences or sharing circles. Key provisions include strict confidentiality protections for all communications (preventing use in court proceedings unless waived), removal of requirements to serve only specific counties (expanding statewide access), and a requirement for the Attorney General to evaluate the program and recommend next steps after completion. It directly affects survivors and accused individuals who choose to participate, with no mandatory involvement for either party.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Policing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1938: Enhances "Crime Victim's Bill of Rights"; prohibits defendant from entering crime victim's home throughout criminal justice process, including in relation to any investigation or discovery.

This bill strengthens New Jersey's Crime Victim's Bill of Rights by explicitly prohibiting defendants from entering a crime victim's home at any point during the criminal justice process - including for investigations or discovery. The only exception allows a court to permit a defendant to inspect a crime scene that is the victim's home if the defendant makes a legitimate request with a reasonable basis for the inspection, and the court imposes strict time, place, and manner restrictions to protect the victim's privacy. This directly affects crime victims in New Jersey by adding a clear safeguard against defendants accessing their homes, which was not explicitly covered under prior law. The change does not alter other existing victim rights but specifically addresses home privacy concerns during criminal proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2972: Enhances penalties for threats against certain public servants, establishes crime of doxxing, and enhances penalties for improper use of personal identifying information.

This New Jersey bill (S 2972) protects judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, child protective investigators, and their immediate families by making it illegal to post their home addresses or unpublished phone numbers online without authorization. It creates a new criminal offense for "doxxing" these public servants (posting personal information to harass them) and increases penalties for threats against them. The law requires online platforms to remove such information upon request from authorized officials like court clerks or U.S. Marshals. Violations could lead to criminal charges and stronger restraining orders for affected individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Data Privacy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2540: Requires court to provide certain defendants with referral for mental health and substance abuse evaluation.

This bill (S 2540) amends New Jersey's pretrial release procedures to clarify that courts may require defendants to undergo mental health or substance abuse treatment as a condition of release. It specifies that courts must consider mental health treatment (under subsection i) alongside other non-monetary conditions - like curfews, employment requirements, or electronic monitoring - to ensure defendants appear in court and do not endanger others. The bill directly affects defendants facing pretrial detention who are deemed eligible for release but pose risks requiring structured supervision. It does not create new referral systems but refines existing release conditions to explicitly include treatment options for mental health/substance abuse issues. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1048: Makes juvenile eligible for waiver for certain criminal homicide offenses regardless of age.

This bill amends New Jersey law to allow juvenile court waivers for criminal homicide offenses (excluding vehicular homicide) regardless of the juvenile's age. It removes the previous requirement that a juvenile must be 15 or older to be eligible for waiver in homicide cases. The court must still consider factors like the juvenile's age, maturity, prior history, and mental health before granting a waiver. This change directly affects juveniles charged with qualifying homicide offenses, streamlining the waiver process while maintaining judicial review of mitigating circumstances.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 389: Makes publishing on Internet home address or unpublished telephone number of judges, prosecutors and certain court personnel a crime of the fourth degree under certain circumstances.

New Jersey bill S 389 prohibits posting judges' or prosecutors' home addresses or unlisted phone numbers online when done with intent to cause harassment or risk of harm, or in reckless disregard of that risk. It directly affects judges (Supreme Court, Superior Court, Tax Court, municipal judges), prosecutors (county and assistant prosecutors), and designated court administrative staff. Violating this law is a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The bill mirrors existing protections for law enforcement officers under New Jersey law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Law Enforcement

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 341: Authorizes municipality to enact ordinance regulating where certain sex offenders may reside.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to create local ordinances that prohibit certain sex offenders from living within 500 feet of schools, playgrounds, or child care centers. It applies to individuals convicted of sex offenses against minors under 18 (excluding those deemed low-risk), who must register under state law. Municipalities must map restricted zones and maintain these maps as official records, while providing exceptions for offenders in correctional facilities, mental health facilities, or with court-approved exemptions. Existing residents covered by the ordinance before its enactment are not displaced.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1167: Establishes presumption of pretrial detention for persons who commit carjacking, theft of motor vehicle, or burglary.

S 1167 creates a rebuttable presumption that defendants charged with carjacking, theft of a motor vehicle, or burglary committed in furtherance of theft of a motor vehicle must be held in pretrial detention if they have a prior conviction for theft of a motor vehicle within the last 12 months or prior pending charges for that crime. The court must order detention unless the defendant proves that bail or conditions would ensure their appearance in court and public safety. This presumption applies to any pretrial detention motion filed for a crime committed during the bill's one-year effective period, even if filed after the bill expires. The bill affects only these specific offenses and does not alter pretrial detention rules for other crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

All criminal justice bills