Criminal Justice in New Jersey

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 Justice

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 Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4287: Criminalizes certain sales of marijuana and vapor products.

This bill makes it a crime for businesses to sell marijuana or vapor products without a license, imposing fines ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 depending on the type of business. It also criminalizes the sale of vapor products with characterizing flavors, with penalties increasing based on the quantity sold. Additionally, the law allows municipalities to close businesses that commit more than two violations within a two-year period. The bill defines vapor products to include e-cigarettes and related devices but excludes FDA-approved products.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5176: Repeals codification of AG directive, "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities."

This bill repeals a previous law that codified an Attorney General directive regarding interactions between law enforcement and immigrant communities. By removing this statute, the legislation restores the ability of New Jersey police officers to assist federal immigration authorities and engage in conduct previously restricted by the directive. The repeal also eliminates requirements for agencies to notify detained individuals of immigration requests, publish annual reports on such assistance, and inform defendants of potential immigration consequences during legal proceedings. Ultimately, the bill returns control over these specific policing and prosecutorial decisions to local authorities rather than binding them to state-mandated guidelines.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3864: Limits use of State, county, and municipal property or funding to support immigrant detention facilities.

This bill prohibits New Jersey state, county, and municipal governments from using public funds or property to build, operate, or support immigrant detention facilities. It specifically bans spending money to construct or renovate facilities, leasing public property to private entities for detention use, subsidizing privately owned detention centers, and paying for the detention costs of individuals in privately operated facilities. The legislation allows local and state governments to continue providing health and safety resources to people detained in these facilities while restricting financial and property support for their operation.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3747: Requires State Police to develop public database of criminally charged or convicted undocumented immigrants.

This bill, known as the Right to Know Act, requires New Jersey State Police to create and maintain a public database of undocumented immigrants who have been criminally charged or convicted and are currently in state, county, or municipal correctional facilities. The database would include each person's photograph, the specific crime they were charged with or convicted of, and the location and date of their release from custody. The legislation directly affects undocumented immigrants in the state's correctional system and the public who would have access to this information. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and aims to increase transparency regarding criminal justice involvement among undocumented individuals in New Jersey.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3859: "Stolen Vehicle Possession Accountability Act"; increases penalties for adult and juvenile repeat offenses of receiving stolen motor vehicle.

This bill increases penalties for repeat offenders who receive stolen motor vehicles in New Jersey by raising the severity of charges and imposing stricter sentencing requirements. It directly affects both adults and juveniles who have been convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for receiving stolen vehicles on two or more separate occasions within a 15-year period. Under the new provisions, such repeat offenders would face mandatory minimum sentences that include parole ineligibility, and courts would be required to impose extended terms of imprisonment upon prosecutor request if the prior convictions meet specific criteria. The legislation also clarifies circumstances under which knowledge of a vehicle being stolen can be legally inferred, including situations involving multiple vehicles, recent prior transactions, or lack of proper documentation.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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

A 4363: Creates "Punishing Rioters and Protecting Communities Act," broadens riot; enhances penalties certain riot-related criminal penalties; creates crimes of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication; establishes duty in municipality to permit law enforcement to respond appropriately.

The "Punishing Rioters and Protecting Communities Act" (A4363) amends New Jersey's riot laws to increase penalties for violent public disturbances and create two new offenses. It raises penalties for riots involving firearms or deadly weapons (to a third-degree crime) and creates aggravated riot offenses (second-degree crime) for incidents causing serious injury, property damage over $5,000, or threats to vehicle safety. The bill also establishes new crimes for "mob intimidation" (threatening violence in group settings) and "cyber-intimidation by publication" (online intimidation), while requiring municipalities to permit appropriate law enforcement responses to riots. These changes directly affect individuals committing riot-related acts, law enforcement, and local governments managing public safety.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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 Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

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

A 2873: Upgrades penalty for assault on law enforcement to second degree crime under certain circumstances.

This bill would upgrade assaults against certain public safety and emergency personnel to a second-degree crime, increasing penalties. It directly affects anyone who assaults law enforcement officers, firefighters, school staff, healthcare workers (including at psychiatric facilities), utility workers, or emergency medical personnel while they are clearly performing their duties. Key provisions include elevating simple assault to a more serious charge when targeting these groups, and adding specific scenarios like assaulting utility workers during service repairs. The legislation aims to strengthen legal consequences for attacks on these critical workers. (Note: Bill is currently in committee review as of January 2026.)

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

All criminal justice bills