This bill upgrades burglary of a residence to a second-degree crime when a person was inside during the offense. It requires offenders to serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole, under New Jersey's "No Early Release Act" (NERA). Currently, burglary of a residence is typically a third-degree crime (with a lower parole threshold) unless aggravated by violence or weapons; this bill makes occupancy the new trigger for the stricter charge. The change applies only to burglaries where someone was present in the home at the time of the offense.
This bill (A 3768) creates a new offense for sending unsolicited nude images or sexual content via electronic means without the recipient's consent. It establishes a disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine) for sending such material without consent, and elevates this to a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months jail or $10,000 fine) if the sender knows the recipient is a child under 13 or someone with a mental disability unable to understand the sexual nature of the content. The law directly affects individuals who send unsolicited explicit images electronically, expanding existing lewdness statutes to cover digital transmission. Key provisions require that the recipient did not request or consent to the material, with stricter penalties for vulnerable recipients.
New Jersey's A-833, "Judy and Nikki's Law," mandates life imprisonment without parole for anyone convicted of murdering a child 16 years old or younger. This law directly affects defendants found guilty of such murders by replacing the standard 30-year minimum sentence with a mandatory life sentence. The key provision requires courts to impose life without parole when the victim is under 16, regardless of the circumstances of the crime. The bill applies immediately to all cases where sentencing occurs after its effective date.
S 3701, "Daniel Kearney's Law," creates criminal penalties for drivers who violate probationary license restrictions while under the influence of alcohol/drugs (R.S.39:4-50) or operating with a suspended license. It applies to drivers with probationary licenses who break these restrictions, particularly when combined with DUI or license suspension. The bill mandates a minimum prison term of one-third to one-half the sentence (or three years, whichever is greater) and requires a five-year to life license suspension for such violations. This amendment to New Jersey's reckless vehicular homicide law (N.J.S.2C:11-5) increases penalties for these specific offenses without changing general traffic laws.
This New Jersey bill (A 3661) makes it a fourth-degree crime to knowingly and actively participate in a criminal street gang while promoting or assisting others in committing specific violent or serious offenses. It directly affects individuals who knowingly help gang members carry out crimes like robbery, carjacking, assault, sexual assault, arson, burglary, kidnapping, extortion, or certain drug/firearm violations. The law defines a "criminal street gang" as three or more people meeting specific criteria (such as shared symbols, clothing, or prior criminal activity) and sets penalties of up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bill A 2961 amends New Jersey's sentencing law (N.J.S. 2C:44-1) to add a new aggravating factor for sentencing. It requires judges to consider an additional factor when sentencing individuals convicted of domestic violence against a minor who is already defined as a domestic violence victim under existing law (specifically, minors meeting the criteria in P.L.1991, c. 261). This provision directly affects defendants convicted of domestic violence offenses involving such minors, making it a more serious sentencing consideration. The bill does not create new penalties but mandates that courts weigh this specific factor when determining appropriate sentences. The bill was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
