Criminal Justice (Juvenile Justice) in New Jersey

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

A 112: Establishes rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention and increases penalties for motor vehicle theft offenses; authorizes home detention for minors adjudicated delinquent for motor vehicle theft offenses; establishes Grants for Underage Auto-Theft Risk Deterrence Pilot Program in Juvenile Justice Commission; appropriates $7 million.

This bill (A 112) creates a rebuttable presumption requiring pretrial detention for defendants charged with motor vehicle theft offenses (including theft, receiving stolen vehicles, or unlawful taking), directly affecting individuals arrested for these crimes. It amends court procedures to prioritize community safety over appearance concerns when setting bail, and authorizes home detention for minors convicted of motor vehicle theft. The bill also establishes a $7 million Grants for Underage Auto-Theft Risk Deterrence Pilot Program within the Juvenile Justice Commission to address youth involvement in auto theft. These changes apply specifically to motor vehicle theft cases under New Jersey law (C.2C:20-10.1, C.2C:20-10.2, and C.2C:15-2).

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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

A 957: Authorizes counties to establish diversionary program for juveniles to attend New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy.

This bill allows New Jersey counties to create diversion programs for certain first-time juvenile offenders. Eligible juveniles charged with petty disorderly persons offenses, disorderly persons offenses, fourth-degree crimes, or third-degree crimes (excluding drug offenses) may be referred to the New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy instead of facing criminal charges. If they successfully complete the academy program, the charges against them are dismissed. The program requires juveniles to meet specific academy eligibility criteria, such as being a high school dropout and unemployed.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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

A 1753: Directs Juvenile Justice Commission to establish arts education pilot program for juvenile offenders.

This bill proposes a five-year pilot program requiring New Jersey's Juvenile Justice Commission to establish three arts-based education programs for youth in detention and correction facilities. The programs, developed through partnerships with arts organizations, community groups, and private funders, aim to build skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-esteem using creative arts. Each program will undergo annual evaluation to measure impacts on educational outcomes and youth development, with final recommendations for continuation or expansion to be submitted after four years. The bill directly affects juvenile offenders in state correctional facilities and requires collaboration with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for implementation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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

A 4313: Allows persons who qualify under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to become law enforcement and corrections officers.

This bill amends New Jersey law to allow individuals with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status to work as law enforcement and corrections officers. It replaces the existing requirement that officers must be U.S. citizens with a new standard permitting those granted DACA relief under federal immigration law. The change applies to all state and county correctional officers, police departments, and juvenile corrections roles, without altering other existing requirements like English proficiency, high school diplomas, background checks, or moral character standards. This directly affects DACA-eligible individuals seeking public safety careers in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement Policing DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs Sanctuary Policies

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

A 327: "Stolen Car Accountability Act"; concerns juveniles tried as adults for motor vehicle theft and residential burglary.

This bill creates a specific plea option for juveniles charged with both residential burglary and motor vehicle theft during the same incident, under strict conditions: no firearm use, no bodily injury, and no prior serious offenses. Prosecutors may offer a deal where the burglary charge is dismissed if the juvenile pleads guilty to motor vehicle theft (as a third-degree crime) and receives a 5-year prison sentence with 3 years of parole ineligibility. Juveniles who reject this plea but later provide evidence leading to an adult's arrest for similar crimes can later negotiate reduced sentences. The bill also shortens the expungement waiting period from 5 to 3 years for those who accept the plea or later qualify for sentencing reductions.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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

A 1394: Concerns parole for juvenile defendants.

This New Jersey bill amends juvenile justice laws to modify when courts may incarcerate minors. It creates a presumption against incarceration for first-time offenders committing minor crimes (fourth degree or less), requiring courts to consider specific aggravating factors (like prior offenses or severe harm) and mitigating factors (like youth under 14 or lack of prior record). The bill also sets maximum incarceration terms based on adult crime equivalents (e.g., 1 year for fourth-degree offenses) and mandates parole considerations with specific representation rules for juveniles. It directly affects juvenile defendants in New Jersey facing delinquency charges, particularly those with no prior record for minor offenses. The bill is pending in the Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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

A 2719: Allows law enforcement agencies to provide juvenile-family crisis information to principal of juvenile's school for planning programs relevant to juvenile's educational and social development.

This New Jersey bill (A 2719) allows law enforcement to confidentially share limited information about a juvenile involved in a family crisis with their school principal. The principal may use this information, shared only with appropriate staff, to develop school programs supporting the juvenile's educational and social needs. The bill strictly prohibits using this information for school discipline and bans maintaining records of the shared details, except as authorized by the State Board of Education.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3338: Authorizes the court to issue restraining orders to defendants charged with a crime as a condition of release on bail.

This New Jersey bill (S 3338) requires courts to issue restraining orders as a condition of release for defendants charged with crimes before trial. It bars defendants from entering specific locations related to the alleged crime - such as victims' homes, workplaces, or schools - unless exceptions apply. The court must issue these orders when defendants are released on bail (via warrant, summons, or juvenile complaint), defining the prohibited areas clearly. Exceptions allow the court to waive the order if the defendant proves a legitimate need to be at the location (e.g., residence) or if the order would cause undue hardship to innocent people.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3427: Allows law enforcement agencies to provide juvenile-family crisis information to principal of juvenile's school for planning programs relevant to juvenile's educational and social development.

This bill allows New Jersey law enforcement agencies to confidentially share information about juveniles involved in family crises with their school principals. The principal can then use this information, along with appropriate staff, to develop educational and social programs tailored to the juvenile's needs. The bill prohibits schools from maintaining records of this shared information (except as authorized by the State Board of Education) and explicitly states that this information cannot be used to impose school discipline. It directly affects law enforcement agencies, school principals, and juveniles experiencing family crises.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement School Safety

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

All criminal justice bills