Criminal Justice (Corrections)

introduced · New Jersey · General Assembly

A 5392: "Enhanced Law Enforcement Protections Act;" upgrades penalties and eliminates presumption of pretrial release for assault against law enforcement and first responders during civil disturbance.

New Jersey Assembly Bill 5392 elevates aggravated assault against law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical providers, and correctional personnel to a first-degree crime if the attack occurs during a civil disturbance and causes serious bodily injury. This change imposes a mandatory prison sentence of at least ten years with a ten-year period of parole ineligibility for such offenses. The bill also removes the legal presumption that defendants charged with this specific type of aggravated assault are eligible for pretrial release, requiring courts to justify any decision to free them before trial.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory sentences and eliminates pretrial release presumptions for assaults on law enforcement, restricting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4417: Requires jury, rather than court, to determine whether certain defendants are persistent offenders.

This New Jersey bill requires that a jury, instead of a judge, decide whether certain defendants qualify as persistent offenders eligible for extended prison sentences. The legislation specifically targets repeat offenders involved in persistent stolen motor vehicle crimes and organized retail theft, defining these individuals as those with at least two prior convictions for similar offenses committed within a ten-year window. By shifting this determination to a jury, the bill ensures that a group of peers evaluates the evidence regarding a defendant's criminal history before imposing stricter penalties. This change applies to cases where the current crime and prior convictions meet specific timing and severity criteria outlined in the statute.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill shifts sentencing determination from judge to jury, potentially limiting judicial discretion and reducing defendant rights in persistent offender cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Judges

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signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jul 22, 2026

A 5154: Requires jury, rather than court, to determine whether certain defendants are persistent offenders.

This New Jersey bill requires a jury, instead of a judge, to decide if certain defendants qualify as "persistent offenders" who deserve harsher prison sentences. The law applies specifically to individuals accused of repeated crimes involving stolen vehicles and shoplifting, provided they have prior convictions within a ten-year window. Under the new rules, a jury must determine whether the defendant meets the legal criteria for an extended term of imprisonment before the court can impose it. This change shifts the responsibility of establishing the grounds for enhanced sentencing from the judge to a jury trial for these specific categories of repeat offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill shifts sentencing determination from judge to jury, restricting judicial discretion and expanding harsher mandatory sentences for repeat offenders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4145: Creates fourth degree crime of operating drone equipped with weapon.

This bill makes it a fourth-degree crime to operate a civilian drone equipped with a weapon in New Jersey. It defines a weapon as any device designed to harm or incapacitate a human being and applies this rule specifically to drones owned or operated by private individuals or businesses. If convicted, a person could face up to 18 months in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both penalties. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating a new crime for operating weaponized drones, restricting private use and increasing potential penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 4191: Establishes third degree crime for certain trespasses involving victim of domestic violence.

This bill (A4191) raises the criminal penalty for trespassing into a domestic violence victim's home when a restraining order is in place. It makes such trespass a third-degree crime (carrying 3-5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine) if the person enters intending to cause injury or commit a crime. The law creates a rebuttable presumption of intent to harm if the perpetrator has a restraining order against them or has been charged in a domestic violence case. This directly affects domestic violence victims protected by court orders and perpetrators violating those orders. The key change is elevating the offense level and removing the presumption against incarceration for these specific violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalty for domestic violence trespass to third-degree crime (3-5 years), expanding criminalization and raising mandatory sentencing severity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

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

A 110: Increases degree of crime for unlawful taking of motor vehicle.

This bill increases penalties for unlawfully taking motor vehicles without the owner's consent in New Jersey. It raises the offense of simply taking a vehicle (without risk) from a fourth-degree crime to a third-degree crime, punishable by 3-5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine. It also elevates the offense of taking a vehicle in a way that risks injury or property damage from a third-degree to a second-degree crime, carrying 5-10 years in prison or a $150,000 fine. The bill directly affects anyone who takes, operates, or rides in a vehicle without consent, including typical "joyriding" cases. These changes adjust the legal classification and penalties without altering the core definition of the offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for vehicle theft by raising offense degrees and mandatory sentences, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 2158: Creates crime of incest.

This bill creates a new third-degree crime of incest in New Jersey, making it illegal for someone to marry or engage in sexual penetration with specific close family members. It directly affects individuals in relationships including ancestors/descendants, siblings, aunts/uncles (siblings of a parent), or nieces/nephews (children of a sibling), covering both blood relatives and adopted family ties regardless of legitimacy. The law establishes penalties of 3-5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both for violations. This expands criminal liability beyond current sexual assault laws, which previously did not cover incestuous acts between consenting adults.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new crime with mandatory penalties, expanding criminalization of familial relationships without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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

A 1223: Provides that person who impersonates law enforcement officer and commits crime is guilty of third degree crime.

This bill amends New Jersey law to increase penalties for impersonating a law enforcement officer who also commits another crime. Currently, impersonating an officer is a fourth-degree crime; this bill elevates the penalty to a third-degree crime if the impersonator commits a fourth-degree or more serious offense (like theft or assault) during the impersonation. A third-degree crime carries penalties of up to $15,000 in fines, 3-5 years in prison, or both. The bill directly affects individuals who impersonate officers and use that deception to commit additional crimes, making their actions subject to harsher sentencing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for impersonating officers during crimes, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing under criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Sentencing

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

A 4430: Upgrades crime of invasion of privacy under certain circumstances; eliminates presumption of nonimprisonment.

New Jersey bill A4430 upgrades certain invasion of privacy offenses to higher criminal degrees (from third to second degree) and removes the automatic presumption against jail time for convictions. It specifically targets secretly photographing, recording, or disclosing intimate images or activities without consent - such as in fitting rooms or dressing areas - where a reasonable person wouldn’t expect observation. The bill also clarifies that disclosing such recordings (e.g., via internet or sharing) constitutes a separate offense. Retail stores can avoid liability by posting clear notices about surveillance, and law enforcement officers are exempt when performing official duties. This directly affects individuals committing non-consensual recording or disclosure of intimate moments.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill upgrades privacy crime to higher degree and removes nonimprisonment presumption, increasing severity. Fits 'oppose' indicators: expands criminalization and increases mandatory-like sentencing.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy protections by criminalizing non-consensual sharing of intimate images via internet, increasing penalties for digital privacy violations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3335: Upgrades crime of stalking when victim is less than 18 years old.

This bill upgrades stalking against victims under 18 from a fourth-degree crime to a third-degree crime in New Jersey. It directly affects minors under 18 who are victims of stalking and individuals convicted of stalking them. Under the bill, such offenses would carry a mandatory prison term of 3 to 5 years, a $15,000 fine, or both - up from the previous fourth-degree penalty. The change modifies the existing stalking statute (P.L.1992, c.209) to specifically elevate penalties when the victim is a minor.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory prison terms (3-5 years) for stalking minors, aligning with 'oppose' indicator of heightened sentencing penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence

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