Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1318: Creates New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission.

S 1318 establishes the New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission to examine wrongful convictions in the state. The 9-member commission, appointed within 45 days (including a retired judge as chair and balanced legislative appointees), will study causes of wrongful convictions, review cases, assess restitution systems, and recommend reforms - including creating a permanent innocence review panel for incarcerated individuals to seek conviction reviews. The commission must report its findings and legislative recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months. This bill directly affects the state's criminal justice system and wrongfully convicted individuals by creating a formal process to prevent future errors.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Judges Victims' Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1439: Requires drunk driver to pay restitution on behalf of child if parent or guardian is killed by that driver.

This bill (S 1439) would require a drunk driver convicted of causing a fatal accident to pay financial restitution directly to a minor child if the victim was the child’s parent or guardian. Specifically, it adds a new provision to New Jersey’s vehicular homicide law, mandating that drivers violating DUI laws (N.J.S. 39:4-50) must cover the child’s losses through court-ordered restitution - on top of existing criminal penalties and other restitution. The bill applies only to cases where the driver was intoxicated at the time of the fatal crash and the deceased was the child’s legal guardian. It is currently pending in the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2501: Establishes certain animal abuse offenses committed in manner manifesting extreme indifference to value of animal's life as crime of second degree; designated as "River's Law."

S 2501 upgrades penalties for severe animal cruelty involving domestic companion animals. It designates causing death or serious injury through extreme indifference to an animal's life as a second-degree crime (previously a fourth-degree offense), increasing potential penalties. Offenders must pay restitution for veterinary costs, animal replacement, or shelter expenses. The law directly affects individuals who commit such severe cruelty, specifically targeting cases where neglect or violence shows disregard for the animal's life.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1752: Establishes four-year pilot program in Ocean County for electronic monitoring of certain domestic violence offenders; appropriates $2.5 million.

This bill proposes a four-year pilot program in Ocean County (or another county designated by the Attorney General) to monitor certain domestic violence offenders using electronic tracking devices. It would require court-ordered electronic monitoring only with the victim's informed consent, applying to offenders convicted of violating domestic violence restraining orders. Key provisions include court evaluations of risk factors (like prior violence or weapon access), mandatory victim notification, a $250 monitoring fee (waivable for financial hardship), and $2.5 million in state funding. The program would mandate compliance with national technology standards and establish procedures for handling device tampering or noncompliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 111: Upgrades unlawful taking thefts in certain instances.

This bill amends New Jersey's theft statute to specifically increase penalties for stealing packages delivered to residential properties by cargo carriers (like UPS or FedEx). If the stolen package is worth $200 or less, it becomes a fourth-degree crime; for values over $200, the penalty level rises by one degree. The bill also requires offenders to pay restitution for these thefts, which was previously optional. It directly affects individuals who steal residential delivery packages, targeting a growing issue that impacts residents' access to essential items like medication or documents.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2665: Prohibits suspension of driving privileges and arrest for certain crimes and offenses.

This New Jersey bill (S 2665) changes how driver's licenses can be suspended for unpaid child support. It requires the Probation Division to send written notice (via certified mail) to individuals owing six months of child support or failing to provide court-ordered health coverage, giving them 30 days to pay or provide proof before license suspension. The bill adds a requirement for a hearing if the person requests one within 45 days, and explicitly removes license suspension as a penalty for other unpaid financial obligations like fines or restitution. It directly affects people with outstanding child support arrearages who fail to respond to notice.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1938: Enhances "Crime Victim's Bill of Rights"; prohibits defendant from entering crime victim's home throughout criminal justice process, including in relation to any investigation or discovery.

This bill strengthens New Jersey's Crime Victim's Bill of Rights by explicitly prohibiting defendants from entering a crime victim's home at any point during the criminal justice process - including for investigations or discovery. The only exception allows a court to permit a defendant to inspect a crime scene that is the victim's home if the defendant makes a legitimate request with a reasonable basis for the inspection, and the court imposes strict time, place, and manner restrictions to protect the victim's privacy. This directly affects crime victims in New Jersey by adding a clear safeguard against defendants accessing their homes, which was not explicitly covered under prior law. The change does not alter other existing victim rights but specifically addresses home privacy concerns during criminal proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 1294: Permits exception to VCCO compensation reporting requirement for unreported sexual offenses if victim received certain forensic medical services.

S 1294 amends New Jersey's crime compensation law to allow victims of certain sexual offenses to qualify for financial assistance from the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) without having reported the crime to police. Specifically, it removes the police report requirement for victims who received forensic medical services (like rape exams) through a county sexual assault response team within nine months of the offense - covering aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, or related crimes. This directly affects victims who chose not to report to law enforcement but sought medical care through designated response teams. The change ensures these victims can access compensation for medical, counseling, or other eligible expenses without needing a police report. The bill does not alter other eligibility rules, such as the five-year filing limit or the $25,000 compensation cap.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Victims' Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 140: Requires suspension without pay and health care benefits if public officer or employee formally charged with crime involving or touching office, position, or employment.

S 140 requires New Jersey public officials or employees to be suspended without pay and health benefits if formally charged with a crime that involves or touches their position (e.g., corruption related to their job). The suspension lasts until the charges are resolved through conviction, exoneration, or dismissal. If cleared, individuals are entitled to back pay and reimbursement for health care costs during the suspension. This bill directly affects state employees facing such criminal charges, creating a mandatory suspension period with automatic financial restitution upon resolution.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 329: Extends crime of identity theft to include fraudulent impersonation or false depiction by means of artificial intelligence or deepfake technology.

This New Jersey bill (S 329) makes it a crime to use artificial intelligence or deepfake technology to impersonate someone for fraudulent purposes. It specifically adds AI-generated impersonation to the state's identity theft law, covering cases where someone falsely depicts another person through deepfakes to obtain benefits, avoid payments, or cause harm. Penalties range from a fourth-degree crime (small-scale, under $500) to a second-degree crime (large-scale, $75,000+ or five+ victims). The law also requires courts to correct false records created by such fraud and may order restitution to victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Artificial Intelligence

All criminal justice bills