Criminal Justice

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

A 3788: Creates sexual assault prevention and response program and coordinator for service members.

New Jersey's A 3788 establishes a sexual assault prevention and response program within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, featuring an independent coordinator who operates outside the military chain of command. The program allows service members (including National Guard members) to file confidential complaints about sexual assault regardless of when the incident occurred - on or off duty - and provides victim advocacy, referrals to prosecutors, and assistance obtaining protective orders. Annual reports to the legislature will track assault statistics, investigation outcomes, and program effectiveness, with data limited to aggregated statistics to protect victim privacy. This applies to current and former service members, covering incidents involving New Jersey National Guard personnel.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates confidential reporting for sexual assault victims in military system, providing victim advocacy and referrals to prosecutors, advancing victim protection and accountability within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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

A 961: Requires campus police officers to wear body worn cameras.

This bill requires campus police officers at New Jersey schools to wear body cameras that record audio and video during official duties, with specific exceptions (like undercover work or medical emergencies). It directly affects campus police officers employed under New Jersey law (P.L.1970, c.211) who serve at public or private K-12 schools, youth facilities, or college campuses. Cameras must be activated during public encounters or calls for service but can be deactivated under limited circumstances, such as when minors are present, for medical requests, or per superior officer direction. Funding may come from forfeiture funds, federal grants, or other sources, as specified in the bill.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates body cameras for campus police, enhancing law enforcement accountability and transparency - directly aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing misconduct and improving public trust.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3304: Upgrades strict liability vehicular homicide to crime of second degree.

S 3304 upgrades "strict liability vehicular homicide" from a third-degree to a second-degree crime in New Jersey. This applies when someone causes death while driving intoxicated (violating N.J.S.A. 39:4-50) or operating a vessel under the influence (violating N.J.S.A. 12:7-46). The bill removes defenses related to the victim's conduct, establishes strict liability where intoxication directly caused death, and eliminates the presumption of nonimprisonment. The penalty increases from 3-5 years imprisonment (third degree) to 5-10 years (second degree), with fines rising to $150,000. This aligns penalties with similar offenses like reckless vehicular homicide.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill upgrades DUI homicide to second-degree crime, increases penalties, removes victim-related defenses, and eliminates nonimprisonment presumption, strengthening punitive sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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

A 1398: Permits court to admit evidence of prior offenses in certain criminal prosecutions.

This bill would allow judges to admit evidence of a defendant's prior domestic violence, child abuse, or sexual assault offenses in related criminal cases. It directly affects prosecutors and victims in these specific cases by providing additional evidence to support prosecutions when victim testimony is unreliable or unavailable. Currently, New Jersey's evidence rules block such prior acts, making cases harder to prove despite statistics showing 63,058 annual domestic violence reports. The change aligns New Jersey with states like California that permit this evidence to strengthen prosecutions without requiring multiple trials.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows prior domestic violence/abuse evidence in court, strengthening prosecutions for victims when testimony is unreliable, aligning with reform goals to improve case outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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

A 3832: Establishes new mitigating factor for defendant who is survivor of abuse.

This bill adds a new mitigating factor to New Jersey's sentencing guidelines for defendants convicted of crimes. Specifically, it allows courts to consider whether a defendant suffered physical, sexual, or emotional abuse that contributed to their criminal behavior. The provision applies directly to individuals whose abusive past was a factor in their offense, requiring judges to weigh this circumstance during sentencing decisions. The bill does not change sentencing ranges but gives judges an additional consideration to potentially reduce penalties for eligible defendants. The bill was introduced to the Assembly Judiciary Committee on January 13, 2026, and remains pending.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds mitigating factor for abuse survivors in sentencing, allowing judges to consider trauma's role - aligns with reform goals to address root causes and reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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

A 1598: Bars expungement of conviction, arrest, or charge if crime or offense involved domestic violence.

This New Jersey bill (A1598) prohibits the expungement (clearing from public records) of any arrest, charge, or conviction related to domestic violence, even if the case was dismissed, the person was acquitted, or discharged without conviction. It directly affects individuals with domestic violence-related cases in their criminal history, barring them from having those records sealed under standard expungement rules. The key provision adds a specific exception to existing expungement law, stating that "any person who has been arrested or held to answer for a crime or offense involving domestic violence" cannot qualify for record sealing, regardless of case outcome. This change applies uniformly to all domestic violence cases under New Jersey law, without exceptions for dismissed charges or acquittals. The bill remains in early legislative stages (introduced January 2026, referred to Judiciary Committee).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill prohibits expungement of domestic violence records, restricting access to clearing criminal history. This opposes reform efforts to reduce barriers for reentry and limit criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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

A 744: "New Jersey Laken Riley Act;" establishes law enforcement procedures for arrests of aliens unlawfully present in the U.S. charged with certain crimes.

The New Jersey Laken Riley Act requires law enforcement to check the immigration status of non-citizens arrested for specific serious crimes - including violent offenses, certain traffic violations causing injury, or federal "aggravated felonies." If confirmed as unlawfully present, these individuals face a legal presumption of pretrial detention, overriding the state's bail reform law. The bill mandates compliance with federal immigration detainer requests and repeals a prior law prohibiting local jails from holding immigrants for federal authorities. It also rescinds New Jersey's "Immigrant Trust Directive," aligning state procedures with federal immigration enforcement priorities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates pretrial detention for non-citizens charged with certain crimes, overriding bail reform. Restricts defendant rights and weakens criminal justice reform efforts.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates immigration status checks for serious crimes, imposes pretrial detention for unlawfully present individuals, and requires compliance with federal detainers, increasing state enforcement cooperation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1388: Concerns use of force by law enforcement officers under certain circumstances and requires certain reporting of use of force incidents.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update the statewide use-of-force policy every even-numbered year, ensuring it prioritizes de-escalation, limits force to necessary and proportional measures (with deadly force as a last resort), and includes officer duties like intervention and reporting. It mandates three public hearings across the state to gather community input and requires all law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the State Police to receive the revised policy. The bill also establishes a public online reporting system for use-of-force incidents, compiling data under open records laws for public access. Additionally, it sets detailed guidelines for handling barricaded individuals - emphasizing mental health crisis protocols and de-escalation - and mandates training for law enforcement on these procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates de-escalation-focused use-of-force policy updates, officer intervention duties, and public hearings - enhancing police accountability and reform95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 1924: Creates fourth degree crime of operating drone equipped with weapon.

This bill makes it a crime for private drone operators to fly drones equipped with weapons. Specifically, it criminalizes operating a civilian drone (owned by individuals or businesses) with any weapon designed to harm people, such as firearms or projectiles. Violators face up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee after being introduced on January 13, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes drone weapon use, expanding criminalization in public safety, aligning with OPPOSE indicators of increased penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 1896: Establishes certain benefits for Class Two special law enforcement officers; allows arson investigators to carry a firearm at all times.

This bill amends New Jersey's assault statute (N.J.S. 2C:12-1) to increase penalties for assaulting specific public safety personnel. It designates assault on a Class Two special law enforcement officer while performing duties as aggravated assault, and adds that causing bodily injury through arson (violating N.J.S. 2C:17-1) that harms emergency services personnel (including firemen, medical staff, and law enforcement) is also aggravated assault. The bill does not include provisions allowing arson investigators to carry firearms, as that detail is absent from the provided bill text. The summary is based solely on the assault statute amendments included in the bill.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers and emergency personnel, strengthening protections within criminal justice system95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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