Criminal Justice

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

A 2778: Requires prosecutor to determine risk of re-offense under Megan's Law prior to offender's release from incarceration.

This bill amends New Jersey's Megan's Law to require county prosecutors to assess a sex offender's risk of re-offense *before* the offender is released from prison, rather than after release as currently occurs. It removes the factor of "residing in a home situation that provides guidance and supervision" from the risk assessment criteria since the offender's post-release residence isn't known at the time of release. Prosecutors must now evaluate risk using factors like criminal history, psychological profiles, treatment response, and recent behavior to assign one of three notification levels: low risk (law enforcement only), moderate risk (community organizations too), or high risk (public notification). This change ensures sex offenders are properly categorized for community notification prior to their release into the community.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequiring pre-release risk assessment removes irrelevant factors to improve accuracy, aiming to reduce recidivism through better public safety planning under Megan's Law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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

A 336: Establishes "Monica's Law" requiring evidence-based risk assessments in certain domestic violence cases.

This bill (A 336), titled "Monica's Law," requires New Jersey courts to use evidence-based risk assessments in child custody cases where domestic violence is alleged. It mandates a standardized parenting time questionnaire for parents raising safety concerns and an evidence-based guide for judges to evaluate risks like prior violence, substance abuse, or child exposure. Courts must temporarily restrict parenting time while gathering information, then consider safety-focused alternatives like supervised visits or counseling. The law directly affects parents in custody disputes, courts making custody decisions, and children at potential risk from domestic violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates evidence-based risk assessments in domestic violence child custody cases, promoting safety-focused court decisions and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to protect victims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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

A 340: Requires order of restitution to child of parent or guardian killed by drunk driver.

This bill (A 340) requires courts to order restitution payments to children who lose a parent or guardian due to a drunk driving incident. It amends New Jersey's vehicular homicide law (N.J.S.2C:11-5) to mandate that when a defendant is convicted of reckless vehicular homicide while driving under the influence (violating N.J.S.39:4-50), the court must order restitution to the child victim. The restitution covers financial losses resulting from the death and is part of the sentencing process, alongside other penalties like license suspension and imprisonment. The bill directly affects children of victims and drunk drivers convicted under these provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates restitution to child victims of drunk driving, enhancing victim compensation within sentencing process.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Victims' Rights

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

A 1253: Prohibits student who commits certain sexual offenses from attending same school building or using same school bus as victim of offense.

This bill prohibits students convicted of or adjudicated for certain sexual assaults (including aggravated sexual assault or sexual contact) from attending the same school building as their victim or riding the same school bus used by the victim. It directly affects public school students in grades K-12 who commit these offenses and are sentenced by a court. The key mechanism requires courts to mandate these prohibitions as part of sentencing, probation, or other legal dispositions. The policy change ensures physical separation between the offender and victim within school facilities and transportation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates court-ordered restrictions on offenders near victims to prevent reoffending and protect safety, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Sentencing

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

A 4372: "Ending the Criminal Revolving Door Act"; restricts pretrial release of certain defendants; sets conditions for pretrial release of certain first-time offenders; requires revocation of pretrial release under certain circumstances.

The "Ending the Criminal Revolving Door Act" requires New Jersey courts to release first-time offenders charged with third or fourth degree crimes (who have no prior convictions for indictable offenses) on their own recognizance or with non-monetary conditions, rather than monetary bail. This directly affects defendants in these categories by making non-monetary release the default, unless prosecutors provide clear evidence that no conditions would ensure court appearance or community safety. The key mechanism shifts the burden to prosecutors to justify detention, reducing reliance on monetary bail for these specific lower-level offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates non-monetary pretrial release for eligible first-time offenders, reducing unnecessary detention and aligning with reform goals to lower recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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

A 446: Prohibits leaving loaded firearm within easy access of minor under age of 18; requires law enforcement officers who observe unsecured firearms to conduct follow-up.

This New Jersey bill (A446) prohibits adults from leaving loaded firearms accessible to minors under age 18 at their home or property. It requires firearm owners to store guns securely - using locked containers, secure locations, or trigger locks - to prevent minor access, or face a misdemeanor charge. Law enforcement officers observing unsecured firearms must return later to verify proper storage. The law amends existing law (P.L.1991, c.397) to raise the minor age from 16 to 18 and adds this enforcement mechanism. Violations carry penalties of up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents minor firearm access through secure storage mandates, aligning with public safety and criminal justice reform goals by reducing preventable gun incidents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Law Enforcement

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

A 259: Criminalizes unlawful occupancy of dwellings.

This bill criminalizes squatting in vacant homes by creating three new offenses: "housebreaking" (forcibly entering without permission to live there), "unlawful occupancy" (living in a vacant home without permission), and "unlawful reentry" (returning after being evicted via court order). It presumes people know they lack permission unless they have a notarized rental agreement with the owner's contact details. The law directly affects individuals occupying vacant properties without legal authorization, making these acts fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The bill aims to replace current eviction processes with criminal penalties for unauthorized occupancy.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offenses (housebreaking, unlawful occupancy) for squatting, expanding criminalization without reform, opposing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingCriminalizes squatting in vacant homes, restricting housing access for vulnerable populations without legal agreements, weakening tenant protections for those occupying vacant properties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole Tenant Rights

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

A 3177: Requires annual review of released sex offenders to determine if offenders were registered and tiered.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to annually review all sex offenders released from prison or treatment facilities in the previous year. The review checks whether these individuals properly registered as required by law and were correctly assigned to a tier (which determines public notification levels). The Attorney General must complete this review by March 30th each year. The bill directly affects released sex offenders and the state's Attorney General's office, focusing on ensuring compliance with registration and tiering rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates annual review of sex offender registration/tiering compliance, strengthening system integrity in criminal justice enforcement per NJ law.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 3521: Codifies AG directive, "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities."

This bill (S 3521) codifies New Jersey's Attorney General's "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities" directive into law. It prohibits state, county, and municipal law enforcement officers from stopping, questioning, arresting, or detaining individuals based solely on immigration status or federal immigration violations. The law also bans officers from asking about immigration status (except when directly relevant to investigating a specific crime) or sharing personal data like Social Security numbers, license details, or addresses with federal immigration authorities for enforcement purposes. The bill explicitly affirms that law enforcement must focus on state criminal law enforcement, not federal immigration enforcement, to maintain community trust and public safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits immigration-based stops/arrests, protecting civil rights and enhancing police accountability in law enforcement practices.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits law enforcement from targeting individuals based on immigration status, aligning with immigrant protection policies and limiting state cooperation with federal enforcement.95% confidence

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

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

A 1425: Revises penalty for criminal trespassing while carrying firearm.

This bill (A1425) revises New Jersey's criminal trespassing penalties when a firearm is carried. It elevates trespassing offenses to higher criminal degrees in specific locations - such as schools, dwellings, hazardous facilities, or airports - if a firearm is present, regardless of whether the person holds a valid permit. For example, trespassing in a dwelling with a firearm becomes a third-degree crime (3-5 years imprisonment) instead of a fourth-degree offense. The bill also creates an inference that a firearm-carrying trespasser knew they weren’t licensed to enter, didn’t follow posted rules, or reasonably believed they’d be allowed. It directly affects anyone committing trespass in designated locations while carrying a firearm.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates trespassing with firearm to third-degree crime (3-5 years) from fourth-degree, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization in sensitive locations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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