Criminal Justice

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2863: Establishes crime of reckless discharge of firearm.

S 2863 (now withdrawn) established new criminal penalties for recklessly discharging a firearm with live ammunition. It creates a misdemeanor for a first offense, a fourth-degree crime for a second offense, and a third-degree crime for a third or subsequent offense. The bill increases penalties if the discharge occurs within 100 yards of schools, occupied buildings, or child care facilities. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into another law (P.L.2025, c.364), meaning it did not become effective.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill establishes stricter penalties for reckless firearm discharge, increasing criminalization and mandatory sentences, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 763: Broadens offenses of riot and disorderly conduct; enhances penalties for public monument destruction; addresses riot victim assaults; creates crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly.

This New Jersey bill (S 763) expands definitions of riot and disorderly conduct while increasing penalties for related offenses. It lowers the number of people needed to constitute a riot from five to four, creates a new crime for promoting violent assemblies, and enhances penalties for damaging public monuments (classified as a fourth-degree crime during riots). The bill also adds specific provisions criminalizing assaults on riot victims, including law enforcement, firefighters, and school staff, and clarifies that obstructing highways during disorderly conduct can be a fourth-degree crime. These changes directly affect individuals participating in public disturbances, monument vandalism, or violent assemblies in New Jersey.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminal definitions (riots, assembly promotion), lowers riot threshold (5→4), increases penalties - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization and stricter sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1865: Adds illicit fentanyls to Schedule I in the "New Jersey Controlled Dangerous Substances Act."

New Jersey's S 1865 adds seven specific illicit fentanyl analogs - Furanyl Fentanyl, 3-Methylfentanyl, 3-Methyl Butyrylfentanyl, Valeryl Fentanyl, Norfentanyl, Para-Fluorobutyryl-Fentanyl, and Carfentanyl - to Schedule I of the state's Controlled Dangerous Substances Act. This formalizes their current administrative classification (already in effect since 2017), meaning these substances are now legally treated as having high abuse potential with no accepted medical use. The bill directly affects law enforcement, healthcare providers, and individuals handling these compounds, requiring strict regulatory controls. Prescription fentanyl remains classified separately as a Schedule II substance.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds fentanyl analogs to Schedule I, increasing criminal penalties for possession/distribution, expanding criminalization under drug enforcement laws.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 447: Upgrades burglary of residence to crime of second degree.

This bill upgrades burglary of a residence (a dwelling or structure adapted for overnight accommodation) to a second-degree crime, regardless of whether the burglar was armed or caused injury. Currently, such burglaries are typically third-degree unless specific aggravating factors exist. The change means offenders convicted of entering a home unlawfully will face a second-degree charge, requiring them to serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before parole eligibility under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA). This directly affects individuals convicted of residential burglary, increasing potential prison time compared to the current third-degree classification. The bill amends New Jersey law to automatically classify these offenses as second-degree burglary under Section 2C:18-2(b)(3).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeUpgrades burglary to second-degree, increasing mandatory sentence length and reducing parole eligibility, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2501: Establishes certain animal abuse offenses committed in manner manifesting extreme indifference to value of animal's life as crime of second degree; designated as "River's Law."

S 2501 upgrades penalties for severe animal cruelty involving domestic companion animals. It designates causing death or serious injury through extreme indifference to an animal's life as a second-degree crime (previously a fourth-degree offense), increasing potential penalties. Offenders must pay restitution for veterinary costs, animal replacement, or shelter expenses. The law directly affects individuals who commit such severe cruelty, specifically targeting cases where neglect or violence shows disregard for the animal's life.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill upgrades penalties for animal cruelty (reclassifying to second degree), increasing mandatory sentences - aligns with 'increases mandatory sentences' oppose indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1394: Concerns keyless locking mechanisms and burglar's tools.

This bill amends New Jersey's burglary law to explicitly include keyless locking mechanisms in the definition of "burglar's tools." It makes it a crime to manufacture, sell, or publish plans for tools designed to bypass keyless locks (a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine), while merely possessing such tools would be a lesser disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine). The law directly affects individuals or businesses creating or distributing tools that can access premises without physical keys. It updates existing burglary statutes to address modern keyless lock technology without changing broader burglary penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by defining keyless lock bypass tools as burglar's tools, increasing penalties for manufacturing/selling such tools under burglary law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 1526: Increases penalties for identity theft when victim is a senior citizen or veteran.

This New Jersey bill (S 1526) increases criminal penalties for identity theft when the victim is a senior citizen (62+) or veteran. It amends N.J.S.2C:21-17 to elevate offenses involving these groups: a first offense against a senior or veteran becomes a third-degree crime (previously fourth degree), and a second offense becomes a second-degree crime (previously third degree). The bill also increases penalties for cases involving multiple victims if any victim is a senior or veteran. These changes directly affect identity thieves targeting vulnerable groups, making their offenses more serious under state law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for identity theft against seniors/veterans, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill text.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases legal protections for veterans by elevating identity theft penalties against them, directly strengthening their security.95% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 909: Increases penalties for second or subsequent stalking or harassment offenses, increases penalty for first offense of harassment.

This bill (S 909) increases penalties for repeated stalking and harassment offenses in New Jersey. It upgrades second or subsequent stalking offenses to a third-degree crime (previously fourth-degree), requiring a mandatory three-year prison sentence with no parole eligibility. Similarly, second or subsequent harassment offenses would become third-degree crimes (up from a petty disorderly persons offense), also carrying the same mandatory three-year sentence. The changes apply to all repeat offenses, not just against the same victim as current law, and affect anyone convicted of these crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory 3-year sentences for repeat offenses with no parole, expanding criminalization and restricting defendant rights per 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Probation & Parole

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 992: Makes desecration of military monument crime of third degree.

This bill makes it a third-degree crime to deliberately damage or deface military monuments in New Jersey. It specifically targets monuments erected to honor military personnel or commemorate battles, defining "desecrate" as defacing, damaging, or polluting such sites. The law elevates penalties for harming these monuments from a disorderly persons offense to a criminal offense, with third-degree crimes carrying potential jail time. It directly affects anyone who intentionally damages these specific types of monuments, which include war memorials and military cemeteries.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates monument desecration from disorderly persons to third-degree crime, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization under sentencing laws.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProtects military monuments honoring veterans, directly supporting recognition of their service through criminal penalties for desecration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1020: Establishes third degree crime of gang assault.

S 1020 creates a new third-degree crime in New Jersey for "gang assault," defined as causing bodily injury to another person when aided by two or more other people actually present and with intent to cause harm. It directly affects individuals who commit violent assaults in groups of three or more, including those targeting third parties. The bill specifies that "bodily injury" includes physical pain, illness, or physical impairment, and sets penalties of 3-5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. This law is modeled after a similar provision in New York state law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new third-degree crime with 3-5 year prison sentence, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties for gang assaults.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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