Criminal Justice (Courts) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3490: Authorizes certain restaurants to advertise that patrons may bring their own beer or wine or purchase wine from on premises salesroom.

This bill removes New Jersey's prohibition on restaurants without liquor licenses from advertising that they allow patrons to bring their own beer or wine (BYOB) for on-premises consumption. It also permits these restaurants to advertise when wine is available for purchase from a salesroom located on the premises. Currently, such advertising is banned and violations could result in fines up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail. The change aligns with a court ruling that found the advertising ban unconstitutional under the First Amendment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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

A 4274: Directs referral of certain persons under 18 for determination of status as socially or economically disadvantaged youth.

This bill amends New Jersey's prostitution statute (N.J.S.2C:34-1) to strengthen penalties for crimes involving minors under 18. It specifically makes promoting prostitution of a child under 18 a first-degree crime and engaging in prostitution with a minor a second-degree crime, with no defense allowed for mistakenly believing the minor was 18 or older. The law directly affects individuals who exploit children in prostitution by eliminating a common defense used in court. It aims to provide clearer legal protection for minors through stricter criminal penalties, without including provisions for referrals or social services as suggested by the bill's title.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking

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

A 4285: Requires notification to appropriate departments if drug court participant tests positive for marijuana or cannabis.

Bill A4285 requires drug court programs in New Jersey to notify state departments if a participant tests positive for marijuana or cannabis. It directly affects individuals enrolled in drug court programs under special probation for substance use disorder. The key provision adds a mandatory reporting requirement to ensure relevant departments are informed of positive test results during treatment. This change updates existing rehabilitation program rules to address marijuana use without altering treatment eligibility or requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole

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

A 3322: "Homeless Bill of Rights."

New Jersey's A-3322, the "Homeless Bill of Rights," prohibits discrimination against homeless residents in public spaces, services, employment, healthcare, voting, and privacy. It guarantees homeless individuals the same rights as other residents, including free movement in public areas, equal treatment by government agencies, protection from employment discrimination due to lack of permanent address, access to emergency medical care, and confidentiality of shelter records. The bill allows individuals to sue for violations and seek court-ordered remedies, damages, and attorney fees. It directly affects all homeless residents in New Jersey by legally protecting their access to public life and services without housing status discrimination.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Homelessness Tenant Rights Employment Discrimination

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

A 4256: Provides any party in case who is limited English proficient and utilizes court translating services option to have social worker translator to help party navigate court system.

Bill A4256 requires courts to provide licensed social workers who speak a party’s language to assist limited English proficient individuals navigating court proceedings. This applies specifically to parties already using court translation services. The state would create a registry of approved social workers through the Commissioner of Human Services and the Administrative Director of the Courts. The bill takes effect seven months after enactment, establishing a formal process for this support service.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

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

A 4431: Upgrades crime of stalking when victim is less than 18 years old.

This bill (A4431) upgrades the offense of stalking when the victim is under 18 years old from a fourth-degree to a third-degree crime in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals who stalk minors, increasing penalties to a maximum of 3-5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine for such offenses. The key provision amends New Jersey's stalking statute (P.L.1992, c.209) to specify that stalking a minor automatically elevates the charge to third degree, regardless of prior offenses. This change applies immediately upon enactment, without requiring additional court orders or prior convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

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

A 4386: Permits fair share affordable housing bonus credit for certain transitional housing reserved for occupancy by veterans.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to earn bonus credits toward their affordable housing requirements by including transitional housing reserved for veterans. Specifically, municipalities receive one credit and one bonus credit for each bedroom in such housing occupied by low- or moderate-income veterans for at least 10 years. Transitional housing is defined as housing with supportive services helping homeless veterans move to permanent housing within 24 months. The bill applies to veterans discharged from active military service (excluding certain court-martial discharges) who are New Jersey residents. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Courts Affordable Housing Homelessness Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3341: Establishes greater discretion in court concerning child support related license suspension and credit reporting.

This bill (S 3341) gives courts more discretion when deciding whether to suspend licenses (like driver's or professional licenses) for people who owe child support. It requires the Probation Division to send written notice to the obligor (the parent owing support) with 30 days to pay arrears, provide health coverage, or request a hearing before license suspension. If the obligor doesn't respond, courts can now suspend licenses without a hearing but must first verify the notice was properly delivered and that the Probation Division made a "diligent effort" to locate the obligor. The bill directly affects parents who owe child support and changes the process for license suspension, not the core requirement of six months of arrears.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

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

A 3823: Establishes rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention of defendant charged with aggravated assault of law enforcement officer.

This bill creates a rebuttable presumption that defendants charged with aggravated assault on law enforcement officers must be held in pretrial detention. It directly affects individuals facing this specific charge, requiring prosecutors to file a motion for detention rather than the court independently determining risk. The key mechanism establishes that the court must presume detention is necessary unless the defendant provides evidence to the contrary at a hearing. This changes existing procedures by adding aggravated assault on officers to the list of offenses where detention is presumed, without requiring the prosecution to prove exceptional circumstances.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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

All criminal justice bills