Criminal Justice

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

A 1707: Requires online portal to report law enforcement officer misconduct; establishes duty to report by law enforcement officers.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an online portal for law enforcement officers to report misconduct by other officers. Officers must report within 72 hours if they witness excessive force, civil rights violations, or criminal offenses committed by colleagues. The portal also allows anonymous reporting, generating random identifiers instead of personal details for those who choose to remain anonymous. It directly affects all law enforcement officers in the state who observe misconduct requiring disclosure under the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires mandatory reporting of officer misconduct via online portal, enhancing police accountability and transparency in law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 2087: Requires law enforcement officer to conduct danger assessment of domestic violence victims and provide assistance to high-risk victims.

This bill requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to conduct a standardized danger assessment for individuals they reasonably believe are victims of domestic violence. The assessment, using a tool approved by the Attorney General, evaluates risk factors like recent violence, injuries, and weapon use to determine if a victim faces elevated risk of serious harm. If the assessment indicates high risk, officers must inform the victim and, with consent, connect them to crisis services or domestic violence support. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims, law enforcement officers, and service providers, focusing on immediate risk identification and assistance. It does not alter existing legal definitions or penalties but mandates specific protocols for officer response.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires standardized danger assessments and victim referrals for domestic violence, enhancing police response protocols and victim protection - aligns with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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

A 3306: Establishes suspension of collection of motor vehicle surcharges for certain incarcerated persons.

This bill suspends the collection of motor vehicle surcharges for individuals incarcerated for more than 90 days during the three-year period when surcharges are typically assessed. It directly affects drivers convicted of certain traffic offenses who are imprisoned for extended periods, including those incarcerated for 90+ days while surcharges are due. The key provision requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to automatically halt surcharge collection during incarceration and for at least 90 days after release. This change modifies existing collection rules without altering surcharge amounts or eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSuspends surcharges for incarcerated individuals, reducing financial barriers post-release and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 1367: Concerns diversion from criminal prosecution for persons with mental illness under certain circumstances.

This bill requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to complete mental health crisis training (CIT-NJ) and establishes a process to redirect people experiencing mental health crises away from criminal prosecution. Officers may divert individuals to mental health screening services instead of filing charges for non-violent incidents, with a presumption against criminal complaints when treatment is available. It mandates county-level coordination between law enforcement, courts, and mental health providers to identify resources for timely diversion. The law applies to all uniformed patrol officers and affects individuals with mental illness who might otherwise face criminal charges for non-violent behavior.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects mental health crisis cases from prosecution to treatment, reducing criminalization and promoting rehabilitation per bill's diversion mandate.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects mental health crisis cases to treatment instead of prosecution, strengthening mental health service access and coordination per bill's diversion mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health Public Health

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

AJR 124: Establishes "New Jersey Domestic Violence and Legal Access Task Force."

AJR 124 establishes the "New Jersey Domestic Violence and Legal Access Task Force" to study unmet legal needs in domestic violence cases. The task force will examine how lack of legal counsel affects both plaintiffs (victims seeking restraining orders) and defendants (those defending against allegations), citing that 83% of represented victims obtain restraining orders versus 32% without counsel. Comprised of 16 members including survivors, legal professionals, and court officials, the task force will assess impacts on safety, rights, and outcomes in these cases. This resolution does not create new law but directs a study to inform future policy on legal access in domestic violence proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes task force to study legal access gaps in domestic violence cases, citing 83% vs 32% restraining order success rates with counsel. Addresses court access and victim protection within criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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

A 810: Requires sex offenders to report Internet identifiers and name changes.

This New Jersey bill (A 810) requires individuals convicted of sex offenses to report name changes to the state sex offender registry. Specifically, it amends name change procedures so that courts must notify the sex offender registry when someone with a sex offense conviction (as defined in NJ law) applies for a new name. The bill mandates that applicants disclose any sex offense conviction in their affidavit, and courts must forward the name change judgment to both the State Bureau of Identification and the sex offender registry. This affects only people convicted of sex offenses who seek to legally change their names, ensuring registry updates occur automatically.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates sex offender registry updates for name changes, enhancing tracking and public safety oversight in criminal justice enforcement.90% confidence

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

A 3650: Creates behavioral health court pilot program.

This bill (A 3650) creates a behavioral health court pilot program in New Jersey, allowing courts to place eligible defendants in treatment instead of jail. It directly affects individuals convicted of non-violent offenses who need behavioral health services (mental health or substance abuse treatment), meet specific eligibility criteria (e.g., no prior violent convictions, no firearm involvement, and a professional assessment confirming treatment need). Key mechanisms include court-ordered behavioral health special probation (1-3 years), mandatory treatment at licensed facilities, regular progress reporting by providers and probation departments, and consequences for violations (including potential probation revocation). The pilot would operate in at least two counties and five municipalities that apply to participate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDiverts non-violent offenders to behavioral health treatment instead of jail, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - core criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates court-ordered behavioral health treatment for eligible defendants, expanding access to mental health/substance abuse services instead of incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Firearms Mental Health Substance Abuse

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

A 1773: Authorizes funding to protect safety of cooperating witnesses; expands Crime Victim's Bill of Rights to provide these witnesses with certain guarantees.

This bill expands protections for cooperating witnesses in New Jersey by authorizing state funding for their safety and relocation. It amends existing law to include cooperating witnesses (those testifying for prosecutors or working with law enforcement, including confidential informants) under the Crime Victim's Bill of Rights, guaranteeing them protection from harm and access to safety-related services. The bill specifically directs the Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund to cover relocation expenses for witnesses and their household members, plus safety costs like crisis response, counseling, and emergency services. These changes directly affect witnesses who cooperate with prosecutions and their families, ensuring they receive concrete support to safely participate in criminal justice proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes funding for witness safety and expands Crime Victim's Bill of Rights to include cooperating witnesses, strengthening protections within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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

A 1804: Requires court to provide certain defendants with referral for mental health and substance abuse evaluation.

This New Jersey bill (A 1804) requires courts to refer certain defendants to mental health and substance abuse evaluations as part of pretrial release decisions. It directly affects eligible defendants who are being considered for release before trial but have potential mental health or substance use needs. The key provision mandates that courts must provide these referrals when determining release conditions, ensuring defendants have access to treatment as part of their pretrial supervision. The bill amends existing pretrial release laws (P.L.2014, c.31) to integrate these evaluations into the court's decision-making process. This policy change focuses on connecting defendants with treatment resources while maintaining court safety and appearance requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health/substance abuse evaluations for pretrial defendants, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through treatment access during pretrial supervision.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health referrals for defendants, improving access to treatment services as part of pretrial process95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3318: Amends eligibility for expungement of criminal records.

S 3318 would expand eligibility for expungement (clearing criminal records from public access) in New Jersey by allowing individuals with one crime and up to three disorderly offenses, or multiple closely related crimes committed within a short timeframe, to apply. It clarifies that prior unrelated convictions do not block applications for specific offenses covered under these new scenarios. However, the bill explicitly excludes certain marijuana-related convictions - such as distributing marijuana near schools or in public areas - from expungement eligibility. This bill directly affects New Jersey residents with qualifying criminal records seeking to remove them from public view.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands expungement eligibility to reduce barriers for certain offenses, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - core criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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