Criminal Justice (Corrections)

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

A 657: Establishes mandatory penalties for committing burglary and theft during a state of emergency.

This bill imposes mandatory penalties for burglary, robbery, or theft committed during a state of emergency declared under New Jersey's Disaster Control Act. It requires courts to impose a minimum six-month prison term or six months of community service (in addition to standard penalties) for these specific crimes when they occur during emergencies like natural disasters or war threats. The law applies to individuals who commit these acts while an emergency is ongoing, as defined by the Governor's emergency orders. It directly affects people charged with burglary, robbery, or theft during declared emergencies, with penalties enforced through municipal courts.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimum sentences (6 months prison/community service) for burglary/theft during emergencies, increasing punitive measures without judicial discretion.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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

A 1600: Clarifies court's discretion in imposing monetary conditions of bail; establishes rebuttable presumption that person charged with violent crime be detained prior to trial.

This bill changes New Jersey's pretrial detention rules by creating a rebuttable presumption that defendants charged with certain violent crimes must be held in jail before trial. It applies to cases involving murder, life sentences, serious violent offenses (like domestic violence, human trafficking of minors, or crimes under specific statutes), or when prosecutors allege a high risk of flight or danger. Courts must assume detention is necessary unless the defendant proves otherwise through a hearing. The bill also clarifies that monetary bail should only be used when no other conditions can ensure court appearance or community safety. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill establishes rebuttable presumption for pretrial detention of violent crime defendants, shifting burden to defendant and reducing release options. Aligns with 'reduces defendant rights' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

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died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2102: Establishes criminal penalties for certain violations of the "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act."

This bill would have established criminal penalties (fourth-degree crimes) for employers who knowingly falsify payroll records required under New Jersey's Prevailing Wage Act or make false statements on public works contractor registration forms. It directly affects employers working on public construction projects subject to prevailing wage requirements. Currently, such violations are punishable only as minor offenses (up to 90 days in jail), but this bill would have increased penalties to up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fines. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved as part of P.L.2025, c.356, meaning the changes are now law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for prevailing wage violations from minor offenses to fourth-degree crimes, expanding criminalization. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators of increased criminalization and harsher sentencing.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases criminal penalties for falsifying payroll records under prevailing wage law, strengthening enforcement of wage protections for public construction workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 2786: Extends penalties for driving under the influence to include any substance that impairs driving ability; deems driver's consent to non-invasive drug tests.

This bill expands New Jersey's DUI law to cover any substance that impairs driving ability - beyond just alcohol or narcotics - such as inhalants (e.g., glue, solvents) or other chemicals causing intoxication. It requires drivers suspected of impairment to submit to non-invasive drug tests (like saliva tests) and extends existing penalties for driving under the influence to all impairing substances. The law applies to all drivers operating vehicles while impaired, with penalties structured by impairment level (e.g., fines, license suspension, jail time) similar to current alcohol-related DUI rules. Repeat offenses face harsher consequences, including ignition interlock device requirements or longer license suspensions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands DUI penalties to all impairing substances, requiring non-invasive tests, increasing criminalization and mandatory penalties per bill language.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 294: Establishes third degree crime of gang assault.

This New Jersey bill (A 294) creates a new third-degree crime called "gang assault." It applies when a person, aided by two or more others actually present, intentionally causes physical harm (like pain, illness, or injury) to someone else. The law defines "bodily injury" as physical pain, illness, or impairment of physical condition. Violating this law carries a penalty of 3-5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. The bill is modeled after similar New York law and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new third-degree crime with 3-5 year prison sentence, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per bill's explicit provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3683: Establishes crime of knowingly filing false report against law enforcement officers.

S 3683 creates a new third-degree crime for knowingly filing a false report or providing false information to law enforcement with the intent to falsely accuse a law enforcement officer of committing a crime, offense, or professional misconduct that could trigger disciplinary action. This bill directly affects individuals who make deliberate false reports against officers to harm their professional reputation or career. The law adds this as a separate offense under New Jersey's criminal code, meaning a person could face charges for both this new crime and existing false reporting offenses like falsely accusing others or reporting made-up incidents. Penalties include up to five years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new third-degree crime for false reports against officers, expanding criminalization per indicators. Directly adds to criminal code without reform or accountability focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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

A 700: Increases penalties for unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing fentanyl.

This bill (A-700) increases penalties for fentanyl offenses by raising the quantity threshold that triggers the most severe criminal charges. Specifically, it makes possessing or distributing five ounces or more of fentanyl (including adulterants) a first-degree crime, requiring a mandatory minimum prison term of one-third to one-half the sentence with no parole eligibility. This directly affects individuals involved in large-scale fentanyl distribution or possession, as penalties for quantities under five ounces remain less severe. The change applies to fentanyl specifically, while other drugs retain their existing penalty thresholds under New Jersey law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimums and eliminates parole for fentanyl offenses, expanding criminalization and restricting defendant rights per bill's penalty enhancements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

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

A 4097: Increases penalty for reckless vehicular homicide committed when driving while intoxicated under certain circumstances.

This bill increases the penalty for causing death by reckless driving when the driver was intoxicated (drunk or high) or had a suspended license for a DUI. It elevates the crime to a first-degree offense (instead of second-degree) if the death occurs within 1,000 feet of school property, at a school crossing, or in a highway construction zone. The law requires a hearing to prove intoxication, and a convicted driver must serve a minimum prison term of at least one-third to one-half of their sentence or three years, without parole eligibility during that time. It directly affects drivers convicted of causing death while driving under the influence in these specific locations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory sentences for intoxicated vehicular homicide, expanding criminalization and opposing reform efforts.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for drunk driving causing death near schools/construction zones, directly enhancing road safety standards per transportation topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Violent Crime Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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

A 842: Elevates the degree of desecration offense based upon the pecuniary loss; adds desecration to bias intimidation statute.

This bill changes how desecration of public monuments, places of worship, or burial sites is punished based on financial damage. It raises the offense to a third-degree crime if the damage exceeds $2,000 (up to 5 years in prison), a fourth-degree crime for $500-$2,000 (up to 18 months), or a disorderly persons offense for under $500 (up to 6 months). It also adds desecration to New Jersey’s bias intimidation law, making it a higher-level offense if the act was motivated by bias against race, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. These changes apply directly to individuals who intentionally damage venerated objects, with penalties increasing based on the financial harm caused.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for desecration offenses, raising to third-degree crime for >$2k damage (up to 5 years), expanding criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 3708: Creates first degree crime of home invasion, makes crime subject to No Early Release Act, and upgrades burglary of residence to second degree crime under certain circumstances.

New Jersey bill A-3708 creates a new first-degree crime called "home invasion" for entering a residential dwelling with intent to commit certain offenses (like robbery or violent crimes) while someone is present, using force, threatening violence, or being armed with a weapon. It mandates a 10-30 year prison sentence with no early release under the No Early Release Act (requiring 85% of the sentence to be served). The bill also upgrades burglary of a residence to second-degree if a resident is present during the offense, applying the same mandatory 85% sentencing rule. This law directly affects individuals convicted of these specific home-related crimes, altering sentencing requirements for both new home invasion charges and certain burglary cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 10-30 year sentences with no early release for home invasion, increasing mandatory sentencing under No Early Release Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Violent Crime

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