Criminal Justice in New Jersey

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

A 4376: Establishes crime of selling certain counterfeit items; establishes enhanced penalties for crime if committed against senior citizen.

Bill A4376 creates a new third-degree crime for deceiving customers about the value of gold, silver, or precious metal coins or bullion. It specifically targets sellers who falsely claim items contain precious metals, use fake grading holders resembling legitimate ones, or alter coins to inflate value. Convicted sellers must pay victims triple the damages suffered, and if the victim is a senior (62+), offenders face mandatory prison time of at least one year with no parole eligibility. The bill directly affects sellers of precious metal items and aims to protect vulnerable seniors from fraud.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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

A 2761: Requires Division of Parole to establish residency restrictions for certain sex offenders.

This New Jersey bill (A 2761) requires the Division of Parole to establish statewide residency restrictions for high-risk sex offenders. It prohibits these offenders - specifically those sentenced to life parole for crimes involving minors under 18 - from living within 500 feet of schools, child care centers, or playgrounds. Exceptions apply if the offender is in a correctional facility, receiving mental health treatment, had an existing residence before the law, or if a parole board or court grants a specific exemption. Parole officers must enforce these restrictions when approving residences for these offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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

A 2171: Requires cultural diversity and implicit bias training be included in police basic training curriculum.

This bill requires all police basic training programs in New Jersey to include cultural diversity and implicit bias training. It directly affects police training schools, instructors, and new officers entering law enforcement. The key mechanism mandates that the Police Training Commission add specific curriculum materials developed under prior law, and requires instructors to have specialized training in this area. The bill defines "implicit bias" as unconscious attitudes or stereotypes about people. This is a concrete policy change to standardize training content, not a prediction about outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 1704: Establishes crime of strangulation chokehold.

This bill makes it a first-degree crime for specific law enforcement personnel - including police officers, correctional staff, and probation officers - to use a chokehold that blocks breathing or causes serious injury or death while on duty. It defines "chokehold" broadly to include any pressure on the throat or windpipe that hinders breathing. Violators face up to 20 years in prison, a $200,000 fine, or both. The law directly affects sworn law enforcement and correctional staff, clarifying and strengthening existing restrictions on chokehold use.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3366: Requires counseling for certain domestic violence offenders.

This bill requires New Jersey courts to mandate professional domestic violence counseling for offenders convicted of domestic violence crimes who are subject to court-ordered restrictions on contact with victims, family members, or pets. It applies to individuals sentenced with conditions restricting their contact with protected parties, including those placed on probation or having sentences suspended. The court must order offenders to complete counseling with a licensed mental health professional and provide documentation of attendance, and the offender cannot have their protection order lifted until counseling is completed. This policy change directly affects domestic violence offenders in New Jersey court cases involving contact restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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

A 3110: Increases penalty for failing to register as sex offender for more than 24 months.

This bill increases penalties for individuals who fail to register as sex offenders in New Jersey. Specifically, it changes the offense from a third-degree crime (for less than 24 months of non-registration) to a second-degree crime (for 24 months or more of non-registration). The policy directly affects people convicted of sex offenses who do not comply with registration requirements under New Jersey law. This change raises the severity of the criminal charge for long-term non-compliance, without altering the registration obligations themselves.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

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

A 2178: Expands duties of Commission on Human Trafficking to prevent human trafficking in women and children of color.

This bill (A 2178) amends New Jersey's Commission on Human Trafficking to specifically require the commission to study human trafficking affecting women and children of color. The commission must identify risk factors making these groups vulnerable, develop prevention strategies, and recommend ways to improve support services for victims. The commission will continue its existing duties - like evaluating laws, reviewing victim programs, and promoting public awareness - but now with a focused mandate on racial disparities in trafficking. It will report annually to the Governor and Legislature on its findings and legislative recommendations related to this specific population.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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

A 1997: Restores Department of Public Advocate as principal department in Executive Branch.

The bill title claims to restore the Department of Public Advocate, but the provided text describes a juvenile records disclosure law (amending P.L.1982, c.79), not the Public Advocate department. The text focuses on restricting public access to juvenile court records, specifying who may view such information (e.g., courts, law enforcement, schools under limited conditions, victims' advocates). It does not address the Department of Public Advocate or its restoration. Due to a clear inconsistency between the title and the actual bill content provided, a factual summary cannot be generated from this context.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

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

A 4218: Provides rental and lease protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

This bill protects tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking from housing discrimination. Landlords cannot evict, refuse to renew, or deny rentals based on a tenant’s victim status. To qualify, tenants must provide documentation like restraining orders, law enforcement records, medical reports, or certifications from domestic violence specialists. Violating this law could lead to civil lawsuits where victims recover damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The bill amends New Jersey's eviction statutes to explicitly prohibit housing decisions based on victim status.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Domestic Violence Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 488: Increases certain penalties for leaving scene of motor vehicle accident resulting in death or injury.

This bill increases penalties for drivers who knowingly leave the scene of a motor vehicle accident causing death or injury. It raises the fine from $2,500-$5,000 to $5,000-$10,000 and requires first-time offenders to forfeit their driver's license for one year. Repeat offenders permanently lose their license, though the existing 180-day imprisonment term remains unchanged. The law applies directly to drivers involved in such accidents who fail to stop, report, or provide assistance.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

All criminal justice bills