Criminal Justice

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jul 2, 2026

S 4406: Clarifies sentencing under certain circumstances.

This bill allows New Jersey courts to reduce sentences for first- or second-degree crimes when mitigating factors outweigh aggravating ones and justice requires it. Under the new rule, a judge could sentence a defendant to a term appropriate for a crime one degree lower than the one they were convicted of. Additionally, if a reduced or noncustodial sentence is given, there is a ten-day waiting period before the sentence becomes final, allowing the prosecution time to appeal. The legislation restores language previously removed by a 2025 law and applies retroactively to that earlier date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows sentence reductions based on mitigating factors, promoting judicial discretion and potential criminal justice reform.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 3946: Expands criminal and civil penalties for human trafficking, and expands human trafficking training requirements for law enforcement. *

This bill expands protections for victims of human trafficking and other sexual crimes by removing the statute of limitations for prosecuting these offenses. It establishes specialized human trafficking response teams and increases training requirements for professionals who may encounter trafficking situations. The legislation also appropriates $1 million to the Commission on Human Trafficking to support these initiatives. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to allow victims to testify via closed-circuit television in court to reduce trauma during legal proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by expanding human trafficking protections, removing statute of limitations, establishing response teams, and funding anti-trafficking initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2565: Permits victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify in criminal proceedings via closed circuit television; permits judge to make motion to seek closed circuit testimony.

This bill (S 2565) expands access to closed-circuit television testimony for victims and witnesses specifically in human trafficking cases. It allows courts to order such testimony after finding clear evidence that testifying in person would cause severe emotional distress, with safeguards ensuring the victim/witness testifies under oath, faces cross-examination, and their demeanor remains observable. The law permits victims, prosecutors, defendants, or judges to request this testimony, and includes special confidentiality rules for minors (under 18) regarding audio recordings of their testimony. This directly affects human trafficking victims and witnesses in New Jersey criminal trials, making it easier for them to participate without facing traumatic in-person courtroom settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances victim protection in criminal court proceedings for human trafficking cases, reducing trauma while maintaining judicial safeguards like cross-examination and sworn testimony.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 1270: Eliminates statute of limitations for human trafficking and criminal sexual contact prosecutions and eliminates statute of limitations for civil cases arising from human trafficking.*

This New Jersey bill eliminates time limits for prosecuting human trafficking crimes, allowing criminal charges to be filed at any time. For civil cases where victims sue traffickers, it extends the filing deadline to 10 years after the crime occurred, or until the victim turns 18 if they were a minor at the time, or two years after discovering the harm. The bill directly affects victims of human trafficking (who gain extended legal options) and individuals accused of trafficking offenses (who face no time limit for prosecution). It modifies existing laws to remove fixed time periods for both criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits related to human trafficking.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates statute of limitations for human trafficking prosecutions, extending victim access to justice and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 1090: Creates crime of political violence and establishes training requirement for law enforcement.*

This New Jersey bill (S 1090) creates a new criminal offense called "political violence" for committing specific crimes - such as assault, kidnapping, or homicide - intentionally to interfere with or retaliate against someone because of their political affiliation (e.g., party membership) or political expression (e.g., attending protests or donating to campaigns). It requires law enforcement to provide training on this offense and establishes an independent "Political Violence Review Board" to collect data on cases, analyze potential disparities in how cases are handled based on factors like race or political affiliation, and publish annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The bill also mandates separate sentencing for political violence and the underlying crime, and prohibits defenses based on mistaken political affiliation. This directly affects individuals committing such acts, law enforcement agencies, and the judicial system in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new offense for political violence with law enforcement training and independent review board, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights in criminal justice system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 3684: Makes various revisions to the Crime Victims' Bill of Rights.

This bill (S 3684) updates New Jersey's Crime Victims' Bill of Rights to clarify and strengthen protections for individuals impacted by crime. Key changes include adding a new right for victims to communicate with prosecutors about plea negotiations *before* such discussions begin (Section 3, point o), and ensuring victims aren't charged fees for accessing their own case records (Section 3, points 42-47). It directly affects crime victims navigating the state's criminal justice system, ensuring they receive clearer information, greater input during plea processes, and no financial barriers to accessing their case documents. The revisions refine existing protections without creating new rights, focusing on practical improvements to victim support.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens victim protections by enabling pre-plea communication with prosecutors and eliminating fees for case records access, advancing victim rights in criminal justice.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 1294: Permits exception to VCCO compensation reporting requirement for unreported sexual offenses if victim received certain forensic medical services.

S 1294 amends New Jersey's crime compensation law to allow victims of certain sexual offenses to qualify for financial assistance from the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) without having reported the crime to police. Specifically, it removes the police report requirement for victims who received forensic medical services (like rape exams) through a county sexual assault response team within nine months of the offense - covering aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, or related crimes. This directly affects victims who chose not to report to law enforcement but sought medical care through designated response teams. The change ensures these victims can access compensation for medical, counseling, or other eligible expenses without needing a police report. The bill does not alter other eligibility rules, such as the five-year filing limit or the $25,000 compensation cap.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes police report requirement for sexual assault victims to access compensation, expanding victim support and aligning with criminal justice reform to protect rights and improve access to services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes police report barrier for victims receiving forensic medical services (rape exams), improving access to healthcare services and enabling compensation for medical costs related to sexual assault.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 1227: Establishes Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program; appropriates $3 million.

This bill establishes the Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services, appropriating $3 million to fund confidential mental health services. It directly affects law enforcement officers and their family members (defined as spouses, domestic partners, children, or parents living in the same household) experiencing mental health crises or suicidal distress. The program awards grants to licensed mental health providers who meet geographic criteria to ensure services are accessible within a one-hour travel distance. The Commissioner of Human Services will manage applications, select providers, and publish a list of approved services online, aiming to reduce stigma and improve access to care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds confidential mental health services for law enforcement officers and families, addressing officer well-being and crisis prevention within criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds confidential mental health services for law enforcement officers and families via $3M grant program, directly expanding access to mental health care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 1290: Prohibits sharing automated license plate reader information for interstate investigation concerning reproductive health care services that are legal in NJ.

This bill prohibits New Jersey law enforcement and automated license plate reader (ALPR) operators from sharing ALPR data with other states for investigations targeting people seeking or providing reproductive health care services that are legal in New Jersey (including pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion). It requires out-of-state law enforcement agencies to provide written assurance they won’t use the data for such investigations before NJ agencies share information. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects NJ law enforcement agencies, ALPR operators, and out-of-state agencies seeking to investigate legal reproductive health services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents law enforcement from sharing ALPR data for investigations targeting legal reproductive health services, protecting civil rights and privacy in criminal justice context.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects access to legal reproductive health care by preventing data sharing for investigations targeting such services, advancing patient rights in healthcare.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits sharing ALPR data without privacy assurances, directly protecting user data privacy (a core technology policy area) by restricting interstate data sharing for sensitive health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 1233: Establishes "Cop 2 Cop Sustainability Fund" to support "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" Cop 2 Cop telephone hotline program; appropriates $500,000.

This bill establishes the "Cop 2 Cop Sustainability Fund" to provide stable, ongoing funding for a confidential 24-hour crisis hotline supporting New Jersey law enforcement officers and sheriff's officers. It appropriates $500,000 annually from the General Fund starting in fiscal year 2025 to sustain the existing "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" program, which currently receives $400,000 from Body Armor Replacement Funds. The hotline offers confidential peer support for officers experiencing psychological stress, trauma, or emotional distress related to their work. Operators must be trained in law enforcement-specific mental health issues, and the program ensures caller confidentiality while allowing limited tracking for severe cases. The fund will also accept additional revenues from other sources to support the program's long-term operation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $500k annually from General Fund to fund crisis hotline for law enforcement, increasing funding from current $400k.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds a law enforcement officer crisis hotline program, directly supporting law enforcement within criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health crisis hotline for law enforcement officers, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy through $500,000 annual appropriation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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