Criminal Justice (Corrections)

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

A 3661: Criminalizes participation in criminal street gang.

This New Jersey bill (A 3661) makes it a fourth-degree crime to knowingly and actively participate in a criminal street gang while promoting or assisting others in committing specific violent or serious offenses. It directly affects individuals who knowingly help gang members carry out crimes like robbery, carjacking, assault, sexual assault, arson, burglary, kidnapping, extortion, or certain drug/firearm violations. The law defines a "criminal street gang" as three or more people meeting specific criteria (such as shared symbols, clothing, or prior criminal activity) and sets penalties of up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization of gang participation, increasing penalties for aiding violent crimes, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Violent Crime

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

A 4376: Establishes crime of selling certain counterfeit items; establishes enhanced penalties for crime if committed against senior citizen.

Bill A4376 creates a new third-degree crime for deceiving customers about the value of gold, silver, or precious metal coins or bullion. It specifically targets sellers who falsely claim items contain precious metals, use fake grading holders resembling legitimate ones, or alter coins to inflate value. Convicted sellers must pay victims triple the damages suffered, and if the victim is a senior (62+), offenders face mandatory prison time of at least one year with no parole eligibility. The bill directly affects sellers of precious metal items and aims to protect vulnerable seniors from fraud.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new crime with mandatory prison for seniors, expanding criminalization and increasing mandatory sentences - aligns with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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

A 2761: Requires Division of Parole to establish residency restrictions for certain sex offenders.

This New Jersey bill (A 2761) requires the Division of Parole to establish statewide residency restrictions for high-risk sex offenders. It prohibits these offenders - specifically those sentenced to life parole for crimes involving minors under 18 - from living within 500 feet of schools, child care centers, or playgrounds. Exceptions apply if the offender is in a correctional facility, receiving mental health treatment, had an existing residence before the law, or if a parole board or court grants a specific exemption. Parole officers must enforce these restrictions when approving residences for these offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes strict residency restrictions on sex offenders, limiting their rights without addressing rehabilitation or systemic reform, aligning with 'restrict' under 'oppose' indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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

A 654: Prohibits certain sex offenders from working in ice cream trucks and amusement parks.

This bill (A 654) prohibits individuals convicted of sex offenses against minors under 18 from working in specific roles: as employees or volunteers at amusement parks (permanent facilities with public rides) or selling frozen desserts from street vending trucks. It directly affects sex offenders meeting the specified criteria, banning them from these employment settings. Violating this ban is a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both. The law aims to restrict certain sex offenders from positions where they might interact with children in public venues.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by restricting sex offenders' employment in venues with minors, adding new penalties for violations, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 1098: Establishes offense of criminal mischief committed on historical sites.

This bill amends New Jersey's criminal mischief statute (N.J.S.2C:17-3) to specifically criminalize knowingly damaging, interfering with, or tampering with historic places or sites. It defines "historic place or site" as structures approved for the New Jersey Register of Historic Places, identified in local master plans as historically significant, or officially recognized by the State Agriculture Development Committee. Damaging such sites becomes a third-degree crime, punishable by up to five years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. The law directly affects individuals who intentionally harm protected historic properties, including buildings, monuments, or structures meeting the defined criteria.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense for damaging historic sites, increasing penalties under criminal mischief statute95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 3657: Prohibits circumventing security measures for certain online ticket sales.

This bill (A 3657) prohibits using software, devices, or technology to bypass security measures on online ticket websites that ensure fair ticket purchasing. It directly affects online ticket sellers (like venues, sports teams, or theaters) and anyone using tools to circumvent their security systems. The key provision bans both creating or providing such tools and employing them to gain unfair access to tickets. Violations are punishable as a fourth-degree crime, carrying potential penalties of up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new fourth-degree crime for circumventing ticket sales security, expanding criminalization (indicator for oppose).90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits circumventing security measures on ticket sites, strengthening cybersecurity protocols against unauthorized access to prevent unfair purchasing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 3013: Prohibits sex offenders from distributing candy or other items to children on Halloween.

This bill (A3013) prohibits "excluded sex offenders" (defined as individuals convicted of sex offenses involving minors under 18) from distributing candy or other items to children under 18 during Halloween or Halloween-themed events. It amends New Jersey law to classify this act as a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The law directly affects individuals convicted of sex offenses against minors, specifically restricting their interaction with children during Halloween celebrations. It does not override existing restrictions on sex offenders working with youth organizations but adds a specific Halloween-related prohibition. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating a new fourth-degree crime with penalties for sex offenders distributing candy, increasing restrictions without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 2433: Upgrades crime of stalking when stalking activity is carried out or assisted by installation or use of communication or location monitoring program or device on cellular phone or wireless mobile device.

This bill amends New Jersey's stalking law to increase penalties when a perpetrator uses a device or program on the victim's phone to monitor communications or location. Normally, stalking is a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in prison and $10,000 fine), but if the stalking involves installing or using a monitoring tool on the victim's cellular or wireless device to intercept calls, messages, or track location, it becomes a third-degree crime (3-5 years in prison and up to $15,000 fine). The law specifically targets the misuse of common apps or preinstalled software, which are widely available but often used without consent in stalking cases. This change directly affects victims of tech-assisted stalking and those who exploit phone monitoring tools to harass others.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for stalking involving device monitoring, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' oppose indicator.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyIncreases penalties for using monitoring tools on phones to intercept communications/location, strengthening data privacy protections against tech-enabled stalking.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Telecommunications

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

A 2690: Elevates leaving scene of accident resulting in death to crime of first degree.

This New Jersey bill (A 2690) elevates the crime of leaving the scene of an accident that results in death from a second-degree to a first-degree offense. It directly affects drivers who leave such accident scenes, increasing penalties from up to 10 years in prison to up to 20 years, and raising fines from $150,000 to $200,000. The law clarifies that a driver’s knowledge of the death or violation of traffic laws is not required for conviction. It also ensures separate sentences for this charge and related offenses like aggravated manslaughter, with sentences running consecutively. The bill is pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for hit-and-run causing death (20-year prison, $200k fine), aligning with stricter sentencing indicators like expanded criminalization and harsher punishments.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for hit-and-run involving death, enhancing traffic safety under vehicle regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 1343: Creates disorderly persons offense for persons who conceal or attempt to conceal their identity while committing another crime or offense.

This bill creates a new disorderly persons offense for individuals who wear masks or disguises with the purpose of instilling fear, hindering prosecution, or avoiding arrest while committing another crime under New Jersey law. It specifically exempts people wearing masks for medical, religious, or expressive reasons (like cultural practices or health protection). To be charged under this law, a person must already face charges for the underlying crime and must have worn the mask/disguise during its commission. Violations carry penalties of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, and the offense cannot be merged with other criminal charges for sentencing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for identity concealment during crimes, expanding enforcement tools without reform focus; aligns with 'expands criminalization' indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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