Criminal Justice (Juvenile Justice) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1048: Makes juvenile eligible for waiver for certain criminal homicide offenses regardless of age.

This bill amends New Jersey law to allow juvenile court waivers for criminal homicide offenses (excluding vehicular homicide) regardless of the juvenile's age. It removes the previous requirement that a juvenile must be 15 or older to be eligible for waiver in homicide cases. The court must still consider factors like the juvenile's age, maturity, prior history, and mental health before granting a waiver. This change directly affects juveniles charged with qualifying homicide offenses, streamlining the waiver process while maintaining judicial review of mitigating circumstances.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2536: Expands prosecutor's ability to motion for transfer of certain juvenile delinquency cases to adult court.

This bill allows prosecutors to seek transfer of certain juvenile cases to adult court without the juvenile's consent. It applies to 15-year-olds or older accused of serious offenses like homicide, sexual assault, gun crimes, or drug trafficking. Prosecutors must file a motion within 60 days with written justification, and courts must review factors including the juvenile's age, prior record, and mental health before approving transfer. If transferred, juveniles would typically serve custodial sentences in juvenile facilities until age 21, with limited exceptions for older juveniles or specific circumstances.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 375: Requires juveniles to be tried as adult for certain serious offenses under No Early Release Act.

This bill (S 375) changes New Jersey's juvenile justice process by allowing prosecutors to seek to try juveniles aged 15 or older as adults for specific serious offenses without the juvenile's consent. It targets crimes like homicide, certain robberies, sexual assaults, firearm offenses, and drug trafficking (as listed in the bill text). Courts must review factors like the crime's severity, the juvenile's maturity, and prior history before granting the waiver. If convicted, juveniles would serve custodial sentences in juvenile facilities until age 21, with limited options to transfer to adult facilities. The bill applies directly to juveniles charged with the enumerated offenses in the state's statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Firearms Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2292: Bars public entities and public employees from entering into confidential settlements of "whistleblower" claims; provides that such settlements constitute public records.

This bill (S 2292) prohibits New Jersey public entities (like state agencies, counties, and municipalities) and public employees from entering into confidential settlements for claims protected under the state's whistleblower law (Conscientious Employee Protection Act). It requires all such settlements to be made public records, including details like settlement dates, parties involved, claims described, payment amounts, and legal counsel costs. The Attorney General must publish a searchable online list of these agreements. Exceptions apply only for settlements involving national security, and the bill explicitly preserves existing protections for victim identities in juvenile sex crime cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 436: Provides free telecommunication services for incarcerated persons at State, county, and private adult and juvenile correctional facilities.

This bill requires all New Jersey state, county, private, and juvenile correctional facilities to provide free voice calls, video calls, and email services for incarcerated people. It eliminates all costs for both inmates and their families by banning per-minute charges (previously up to 11 cents), surcharges, commissions, or fees on these services. Facilities must maintain current access levels and transfer any remaining prepaid funds to inmates' commissary accounts. The bill appropriates funds from the General Fund to cover implementation costs and takes effect six months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics State Budget Juvenile Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3088: Prohibits sentencing individual under 21 years of age to life imprisonment.

This bill prohibits courts in New Jersey from sentencing individuals under 21 years old to life imprisonment without parole for certain serious crimes. It directly affects young offenders aged 18-20 convicted of qualifying offenses like murder, aggravated assault, or sexual offenses under specific statutes. The key provision amends sentencing law to explicitly exclude people under 21 from receiving life-without-parole sentences, aligning with a Massachusetts court ruling that found similar sentencing unconstitutional. The bill does not change sentencing for adults or for crimes committed by individuals 21 or older. It would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2301: Concerns resentencing and parole for certain juvenile defendants.

This bill (S 2301) changes sentencing for juveniles tried as adults in New Jersey who received 20+ years of parole ineligibility. It requires courts to consider youth-specific factors - like impulsivity, childhood trauma, or poverty - during sentencing and allows affected individuals to petition for resentencing after 10 years. At resentencing hearings, courts must evaluate whether the offense stemmed from "mitigating qualities of youth" or "irreparable corruption," using the same factors. Additionally, it mandates parole hearings at the 20-year mark, requiring the Parole Board to consider youth-related rehabilitation efforts and provide written reasoning for decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2024: Requires temporary detention and notification to parent or guardian of underage person who unlawfully purchases or possesses alcoholic beverages or cannabis.

This bill requires law enforcement to place underage individuals (under 18) who illegally possess alcohol or cannabis into temporary custody on a first offense, then notify their parent or guardian. For subsequent violations (second or third), it mandates written warnings for all ages, with parents notified for minors and referrals to community services (like counseling) for both the minor and their guardian. It specifies that refusing these services won’t result in legal penalties. The law applies directly to minors caught violating underage alcohol/cannabis possession rules in public places, schools, or vehicles. It does not impose fines, jail time, or court action for non-compliance with service referrals.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Juvenile Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2344: Makes FY2024 supplemental appropriation of $750,000 providing for additional attorneys dedicated to juvenile matters.

This bill allocates $750,000 in supplemental funding to the Office of the Public Defender’s Trial Services to Indigents program for fiscal year 2024. The funds will hire eight additional attorneys specifically dedicated to juvenile cases in Essex and Atlantic counties, where juvenile caseloads and custodial sentences have risen sharply. It directly supports juvenile defendants facing post-dispositional matters, addressing a 25-30% projected increase in cases due to expanded legal mandates. The funding targets high-volume regions to reduce backlogs and shorten custody durations, as noted in the bill’s statement. (Note: This is a funding measure, not a policy change.)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Appropriations Juvenile Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3067: Authorizes home detention for juveniles adjudicated delinquent for certain motor vehicle offenses.

This bill allows New Jersey courts to place juveniles convicted of specific motor vehicle offenses - such as theft or unlawful taking of a vehicle (crimes that would apply to adults) - on home detention instead of incarceration. It applies only to juveniles adjudicated delinquent for these offenses and limits home detention to a maximum of 60 days. During this period, juveniles may leave home for approved activities like school, work, court appearances, or counseling, as determined by the court. The provision adds home detention as an explicit sentencing option under existing juvenile justice law, emphasizing community-based supervision over confinement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

All criminal justice bills