S 3431 New Jersey Senate · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Establishes separate crime of burglary of residential dwelling.

This bill creates a separate criminal offense specifically for burglary of a residence, distinct from general burglary under current law. It defines "residential dwelling" broadly to include any structure primarily used as a home (like houses, apartments, or temporary shelters) or places for overnight stays. The law makes entering such a residence with intent to commit a crime a third-degree offense, unless aggravating factors apply (such as threatening violence, carrying weapons, or entering while someone is present), which would elevate it to a second-degree crime. Penalties remain unchanged: third-degree burglary carries 3-5 years in prison, while second-degree carries 5-10 years. The primary purpose is to improve tracking of residential burglaries for law enforcement and data analysis.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jun 10, 2024 Last action Jun 10, 2024
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Jun 10, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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Party
State
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P
Photo of John Burzichelli
John Burzichelli
DDemocratic
NJ
3