Criminal Justice in New Jersey

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

A 1411: Requires firearm retailers to provide disclosure of customer's responsibility to report stolen or lost firearms; advises customers it is unlawful to purchase firearms with intent to sell to disqualified persons.

New Jersey's A1411 requires firearm retailers to provide customers with a written disclosure at the point of sale. This disclosure informs buyers they must report lost or stolen firearms within 36 hours to local law enforcement or state police, and warns that purchasing firearms with intent to resell to ineligible buyers is illegal. Retailers must have customers sign and keep copies of this disclosure for 15 years, and post the same notice visibly at all sales counters. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat violations, with collected fines funding gun violence prevention efforts.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3671: "Honoring and Listening to Our First Responders Act"; establishes offense of interfering with official duties of first responder under certain circumstances.

S 3671, the "Honoring and Listening to Our First Responders Act" (HALO Act), makes it a disorderly persons offense to knowingly approach or remain within 25 feet of a first responder after being instructed to maintain distance, if the purpose is to obstruct, impair, or interfere with their duties through threats, intimidation, or harassment. It directly affects anyone who disregards such a request from law enforcement officers, firefighters (paid or volunteer), or emergency medical personnel (ambulance/rescue squad members). The law imposes penalties of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both for violations. The bill does not prevent prosecution under other existing laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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

A 528: Makes it a crime of the first degree to coerce a patient to request medication pursuant to the "Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act" or to forge a patient's request for such medication.

This bill amends New Jersey's Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act to upgrade penalties for two specific offenses. It makes forging a patient's request for end-of-life medication (with intent to cause death) or coercing a patient into requesting such medication a first-degree crime. The key change is imposing a mandatory 25-year prison sentence without parole eligibility for these offenses, up from second- or third-degree penalties under current law. It directly affects healthcare providers, family members, or others interacting with terminally ill patients under the act. The bill does not change the core provisions of the Medical Aid in Dying Act itself.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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

A 332: Permits victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify in criminal proceedings via closed circuit television; permits judge to make motion to seek closed circuit testimony.

This bill expands New Jersey law to allow victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify via closed-circuit television in criminal trials, directly affecting those involved in human trafficking cases. Courts may order such testimony after a hearing, requiring proof of "severe emotional or mental distress" if testifying in person, while ensuring the defendant can cross-examine and observe the witness's demeanor. The law specifies that minors' audio testimony recordings cannot be part of the public record or appeal, protecting them from potential stigma, while adults' recordings generally become part of the record unless the court orders otherwise. It also clarifies that victims, prosecutors, defendants, or judges can request this testimony method.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Judges

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

A 405: Upgrades degree of crime of auto theft when committed in connection with home invasion or residential burglary.

This bill (A 405) upgrades New Jersey's auto theft penalties when the theft occurs during a home invasion or residential burglary. Specifically, auto theft would become a second-degree crime if connected to residential burglary (currently a third-degree crime) and a first-degree crime if tied to home invasion burglary (which involves weapons or injury). The bill also ensures that auto theft convictions won’t merge with separate burglary convictions for sentencing. This change would increase potential penalties, with first-degree theft carrying up to 20 years in prison versus the current maximum of 5 years for third-degree theft.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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

A 903: 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 amends New Jersey's Crime Victim's Bill of Rights (P.L.1985, c.249) to explicitly prohibit defendants from entering a crime victim's home at any point during criminal proceedings - including investigations or discovery. It directly affects crime victims by adding a new protection: victims must be free from the risk of defendants entering their homes, with only one exception for court-approved inspections of the crime scene (e.g., if a defendant requests to view a home where a crime occurred and demonstrates a legitimate need for evidence). The law requires courts to impose strict privacy safeguards during such limited inspections, balancing defendant rights with victim safety. This change strengthens existing protections against intimidation (subsection c) and minimizes victim inconvenience (subsection d).

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4466: Requires law enforcement officers to undergo training on their responsibilities as mandated reporters of incidents of child abuse and neglect.

This bill requires all New Jersey law enforcement officers to complete specific training on their legal duties as mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect. The training, developed by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency and the Division of Criminal Justice, covers both officers' reporting responsibilities and standardized response procedures. New officers must complete it within 90 days of hire or transfer, and all officers must undergo refresher training every three years. Existing officers must complete the training within 36 months of the law's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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

A 3784: Provides accidental death benefit to surviving spouse, surviving child, or surviving parent of a State Police recruit who dies during required pre-service training.

This bill expands accidental death benefits under New Jersey's State Police Retirement System to cover recruits who die during required pre-service training at the academy or from related complications. It directly affects surviving spouses, children, or parents of such recruits by reclassifying these deaths as "in the line of duty" for benefit purposes. Key provisions set a minimum $50,000 benefit for surviving spouses, with calculated amounts for children or parents if no spouse exists (e.g., 70% of final compensation for children, 25-40% for parents). The law also allows retroactive payments for past deaths, with survivors having 12 months from enactment to apply. Current law previously excluded recruits since they weren't sworn officers during training.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Policing

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

A 2090: Reduces time period during which certain prior offenses may be considered for sentencing purposes; permits first offenses to be removed from driving record in certain circumstances.

This New Jersey bill amends penalties for driving while using a wireless phone or electronic device. It reduces the look-back period for prior offenses from 10 to 3 years when determining repeat offense status (e.g., a second offense within 3 years counts as a second violation, not a first). It also allows drivers who commit a first offense to have it removed from their record after completing an approved defensive driving course. The changes apply specifically to violations under P.L.2003, c.310 (C.39:4-97.3), affecting drivers with prior distracted driving convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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

A 3349: Specifies that emergency, transitional, and permanent housing for victim of domestic violence would be funded by "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund."

This bill (A 3349) amends New Jersey law to explicitly include "emergency, transitional, and permanent housing" as a funded service for domestic violence victims through the existing "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund." The Fund, managed by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, is financed by civil penalties ($50-$500) from domestic violence convictions and other designated moneys. It directly affects victims of domestic violence by ensuring these housing needs are covered alongside existing services like shelter, food, utilities, and legal assistance. The change clarifies that housing must be funded from this dedicated account, not other general funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

All criminal justice bills