Criminal Justice

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

A 2776: Requires Attorney General to revise law enforcement use of force policy; implements certain reforms.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to revise the state's law enforcement use of force policy, which hasn't been updated since 2001. The revised policy must include specific requirements like mandating de-escalation techniques, ensuring force is proportional to the situation, requiring officers to report excessive force they witness, and establishing clear firearm use guidelines. It directly affects all New Jersey law enforcement agencies and officers who must follow the updated policy. The Attorney General must publish the revised policy within seven months of the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates de-escalation, proportional force, and reporting excessive force - directly enhances police accountability and aligns with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 2316: Establishes three-year Integrated Domestic Violence Court pilot program in Camden, Essex, Hudson, and Middlesex counties.

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program for Integrated Domestic Violence Courts in Camden, Essex, Hudson, and Middlesex counties. The courts will combine domestic violence cases with related family matters (like divorce and child custody) and criminal cases under a single judge to improve victim safety and case efficiency. Judges assigned to these courts must have specialized expertise in domestic violence law, family law, and criminal sentencing. The program will be monitored by the Administrative Office of the Courts, with reports due 12 months after launch and at the program’s conclusion to evaluate effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes specialized domestic violence courts to improve victim safety and case efficiency, advancing criminal justice reform through integrated judicial handling of related cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Judges

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

AR 106: Urges Federal Bureau of Investigation to categorize white supremacists as domestic terrorists.

AR 106 is a New Jersey Assembly Resolution urging the FBI to classify crimes committed by white supremacists and white nationalists as domestic terrorism rather than hate crimes or gang-related offenses. The bill directly affects the FBI’s classification system and resource allocation for investigations, as domestic terrorism cases currently receive higher priority and more resources than hate crime cases. Key provisions state that reclassifying these acts would ensure counterterrorism agents and greater federal resources are dedicated to investigating and prosecuting such violence. The resolution cites statistics showing white supremacist attacks have outnumbered Islamic terrorist attacks since 9/11 and notes current FBI practices often under-reserve these cases. This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, intended to influence federal policy through advocacy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill urges FBI to reclassify white supremacist crimes as domestic terrorism for higher priority investigations and resource allocation, advancing counterterrorism response to violent extremism within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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

A 2086: "Stephanie's Law"; Requires AOC to establish publicly-accessible domestic violence registry; requires law enforcement officer to search State's domestic violence registries when conducting arrest.

"Stephanie's Law" requires New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to create a publicly accessible domestic violence registry. This registry will list individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes, subject to final restraining orders, or found in contempt of such orders, including their name, aliases, physical description, photo, vehicle details, and last known address. Law enforcement officers must search both this public registry and the existing private registry during arrests to check for domestic violence restraining orders. Individuals wrongly listed can petition for removal, and those listed must update their address within five days of a change.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates domestic violence registry for law enforcement to enhance victim safety and prevent repeat offenses, strengthening criminal justice protections for victims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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

A 3204: Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain court order prior to use of imaging surveillance device.

This bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to obtain a court order before using imaging surveillance devices that can see inside buildings (like through walls using radar or infrared). It directly affects police departments and the residents whose homes or properties might be scanned. To get the court order, law enforcement must submit a written application detailing the target, purpose, location, duration, and proof that other investigative methods were tried and failed or would be too dangerous. The bill aims to prevent warrantless surveillance by mandating judicial oversight for this technology.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires judicial oversight for invasive surveillance, protecting privacy rights and enhancing law enforcement accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires court order for imaging surveillance, enhancing privacy protections against invasive tech use in homes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 4199: Expands rights of crime victims.

This bill (A4199) expands rights for crime victims in New Jersey's criminal justice system. It adds specific protections, including the right to submit written impact statements before charges are filed or plea negotiations begin, and to make in-person statements about the crime's impact during sentencing. Victims gain enhanced notification rights regarding court proceedings, defendant releases, and case updates. The law directly affects individuals who have experienced crime and are participating in criminal cases across New Jersey. These changes amend existing law (P.L.1985, c.249) to strengthen victim participation and support.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly expands crime victim rights in court proceedings and sentencing, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like victim protection and system transparency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Victims' Rights

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

A 1422: Requires DOC to establish and implement standards for cell sizes in prison housing units.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections to establish minimum cell size standards for state prison housing. It mandates at least 35 square feet of usable space per person in single-occupancy cells and 25 square feet per person in shared cells, with a minimum ceiling height of eight feet. These standards must meet or exceed those set by the American Correctional Association. The law directly affects all state prison inmates by setting concrete habitability requirements for their living conditions. It was introduced to the Assembly Public Safety Committee in January 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates minimum cell sizes (35/25 sq ft) meeting ACA standards, directly improving prison conditions as criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 1421: Establishes Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE) Together Program.

This bill establishes the ARRIVE Together Program to provide mental health crisis response alternatives to law enforcement. It requires law enforcement agencies (including state police, county police, and municipal departments) to partner with licensed mental health providers who can respond to calls involving mental health or substance use crises instead of police-only interventions. The program mandates confidentiality for all personal health information collected during responses and protects mental health providers from civil liability for good-faith actions taken during crisis interventions. The law applies directly to law enforcement agencies, mental health service providers, and individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises during emergency calls.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill replaces police-only responses with mental health crisis alternatives, reducing law enforcement escalation in non-violent situations and advancing criminal justice reform through de-escalation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates mental health crisis response program, expanding access to services instead of police intervention, directly supporting mental health services per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Mental Health

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

A 479: Establishes affirmative defense to prosecution for any crime committed by victim of human trafficking under certain circumstances.

This bill creates a legal defense for victims of human trafficking who commit crimes while being trafficked. It allows individuals to avoid prosecution for offenses (like theft or assault) committed as a direct result of their trafficking situation, provided they were trafficking victims at the time of the offense. The defense applies even if the trafficking case against them didn't result in a conviction. It directly affects people exploited through human trafficking who may have broken laws while trying to survive or escape. The law amends New Jersey's criminal code to explicitly recognize this defense, shifting focus from punishing victims to addressing their exploitation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates affirmative defense for trafficking victims to avoid prosecution, protecting civil rights and advancing criminal justice reform by reducing punitive measures against vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Violent Crime

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

A 2192: Establishes Automobile Theft Prevention Authority; appropriates $2 million.

This bill (A2192) creates the Automobile Theft Prevention Authority within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety, funded by a $2 million appropriation. The authority, governed by a 7-member board (including the Attorney General, state police, prosecutors, an insurance representative, and public members), aims to coordinate statewide efforts to prevent, combat, and reduce automobile theft. Key mechanisms include developing prevention strategies, funding law enforcement programs, and auditing funded initiatives to ensure effectiveness. The authority will report annually to the Governor and Legislature on its activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2 million for new authority, directly increasing state spending on auto theft prevention. Explicit budget allocation aligns with funding essential programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates law enforcement authority to combat auto theft, directly supporting criminal justice through prevention funding and coordination. Focuses on public safety within law enforcement, a core criminal justice component.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Law Enforcement Policing

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