Criminal Justice (Violent Crime) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4553: Requires sexual assault forensic evidence to be preserved for 10 years.

This bill requires all sexual assault forensic evidence in New Jersey to be kept for at least 10 years from the date it was collected, or 10 years after a minor victim turns 18, regardless of whether the case was reported or the victim released the evidence. It applies to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, healthcare facilities, and crime laboratories, which must notify victims within 30 days of collection that the evidence may be discarded after the 10-year period. County prosecutors or the Division of Criminal Justice may authorize destruction after the retention period, with provisions for transferring custody to the state if needed. The law also allows custodians to contract with other entities to ensure proper storage of the evidence.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 3926: Requires lobby security for certain senior citizen high-rise buildings in areas with high violent crime rates.

This bill requires lobby security in certain senior citizen high-rise buildings located in areas with high violent crime rates. It amends existing state laws to mandate that building safety regulations include provisions for securing lobbies and interior common areas. The legislation applies specifically to multiple dwellings housing senior citizens and would require building managers to implement security measures in these designated areas. This change aims to enhance physical safety for elderly residents by addressing security concerns in high-risk locations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3823: Requires institution of higher education to provide victim-centered training to employees who assist student victims of sexual assault.

This bill requires New Jersey institutions of higher education to provide annual victim-centered training to employees and student staff who assist students reporting sexual assault. The training targets employees involved in receiving reports, providing services, conducting disciplinary proceedings, residence-life advisors, peer advisors, and campus security personnel. Key provisions mandate that training covers institutional policies, relevant state and federal laws, coordinated response roles, victim assistance, and compassionate communication techniques. The legislation defines a victim-centered response as a systematic focus on victim needs that ensures compassionate, nonjudgmental service delivery while maintaining safety and privacy. This requirement takes effect immediately and applies to the academic year following the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 3996: Requires New Jersey Supreme Court to issue order dismissing certain charges, complaints, and arrest warrants filed with or issued by municipal courts and unresolved for five years or more; requires AOC to conduct certain studies.

This bill requires the New Jersey Supreme Court to dismiss unresolved charges, complaints, and arrest warrants from municipal courts that have been pending for five years or more, specifically targeting minor offenses like petty disorderly conduct, simple assault in mutual fights, shoplifting under $200, and possession of small amounts of marijuana. The law excludes municipal ordinance violations and mandates that the Administrative Office of the Courts conduct studies within six months to explore expanding existing dismissal programs and implementing a voluntary surrender initiative similar to federal models. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment and aims to clear older cases from the court system while maintaining the distinction between serious indictable offenses and lesser municipal court matters.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 3909: Establishes a Division on Violence Prevention and Intervention in the DLPS.

This bill creates a new Division on Violence Prevention and Intervention within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to coordinate violence prevention resources across all counties. The division will be led by a director appointed by the Attorney General who can secure federal and private funding, while each county must appoint a coordinator to map existing services, develop prevention programs, and connect community volunteers and mentors. Key responsibilities include identifying community spaces for prevention activities, fostering collaboration among agencies addressing homicide, suicide, and youth violence, and supporting reentry programs for ex-offenders. The legislation also authorizes annual state funding for the director and county coordinators to implement these initiatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3755: Concerns sexual assault training for prosecutors.

This bill requires New Jersey prosecutors to complete mandatory biennial training on handling sexual assault cases, focusing on restorative justice, cultural competency, emotional intelligence, and trauma-informed care. The training must be developed or approved by the Division of Criminal Justice, reviewed every five years with input from national experts and local advocates, and include both online learning and in-person components. Additionally, the bill establishes a new sexual assault unit within the Division of Criminal Justice that includes investigators, forensic nurse examiners, and rape care advocates to oversee county programs and provide ongoing training to law enforcement and prosecutors. The Attorney General is tasked with ensuring compliance through audits and a system to address noncompliance, with new prosecutors required to complete the training within 60 days of appointment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

AR 126: Establishes Prison Gang Violence Task Force to study security and safety in State correctional facilities.

This Assembly Resolution establishes a Prison Gang Task Force to study security and safety issues in New Jersey's correctional facilities. The task force will examine topics such as gang prevalence, safety equipment for officers, training adequacy, intelligence gathering methods, and policies for handling incidents. It consists of 11 members appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, including current and former correctional police officers, legislators, and experts in gang-related activities and facility security. Members serve without pay but may receive expense reimbursements, and the group must organize within 60 days of the resolution's approval.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 9, 2026

A 4522: Establishes presumption of knowledge that display of noose or Nazi or Confederate symbol would cause bias intimidation; enhances penalties.

This New Jersey bill amends bias intimidation law to establish that displaying a noose, Nazi symbol, or Confederate symbol during a crime allows a court to infer the perpetrator knew or should have known the display would intimidate based on race, religion, gender, or other protected characteristics. It applies to any underlying offense (such as vandalism or assault) and treats these symbols as an aggravating factor, potentially leading to harsher penalties. The law directly affects individuals who commit crimes involving these symbols by making it easier to prove bias motivation in court. This change is based on documented historical uses of these symbols to intimidate and harm marginalized groups, as cited in the bill's findings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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

A 1643: Requires employers to report certain allegations of sexual assault.

This bill requires employers in New Jersey to report alleged sexual assaults involving consumers or employees to local law enforcement or county prosecutors within 24 hours. Employers who fail to report face a $10,000 civil penalty. The law also mandates that county prosecutors appoint a Sexual Assault Response Team advocate to inform victims about available services - including medical care, counseling, and legal options - during the employer’s investigation. It directly affects all employers (including corporations, partnerships, and supervisors) and ensures victims receive support while clarifying that employers may still conduct internal investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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