Criminal Justice (Courts) in New Jersey

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

A 3352: Permits court to order counseling for children in households with domestic violence in appropriate cases; establishes presumption of award of custody to domestic violence victim in appropriate cases.

This New Jersey bill (A3352) requires courts to provide counseling services for children in domestic violence cases and establishes that custody must generally be awarded to the domestic violence victim in appropriate cases. It mandates courts to advise victims and children about counseling services, allows emergency protective orders including firearm restrictions, and ensures temporary orders can be issued quickly without the victim's physical presence. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims, their children, and courts handling family cases, focusing on immediate safety and long-term support. It amends existing law to prioritize victim safety and child welfare in custody determinations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

died · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4446: Establishes "Fight Unlawful Conduct and Keep Individuals and Communities Empowered Act"; permits civil action for violations of US Constitution related to immigration enforcement.

This New Jersey bill establishes a legal pathway for individuals to sue when immigration enforcement actions violate the U.S. Constitution. It permits civil lawsuits against law enforcement officers or agencies conducting immigration enforcement who knowingly breach constitutional rights, allowing successful plaintiffs to recover monetary damages (including punitive damages), attorney fees, and other relief. Key provisions require courts to consider factors like whether officers failed to identify themselves, wore facial coverings, bypassed body cameras, used crowd control equipment, or violated court orders when determining punitive damages. The bill explicitly states that qualified immunity remains a valid defense against such lawsuits. It directly affects individuals subjected to immigration enforcement and law enforcement officers or agencies involved in those actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 2256: Concerns "Sexual Violence Restorative Justice Pilot Program."

This bill establishes a three-year "Sexual Violence Restorative Justice Pilot Program" administered by New Jersey's Attorney General to provide trauma-informed restorative justice services for survivors of sexual violence, including those who chose not to report the crime to police. It requires the Attorney General to partner with organizations specializing in trauma care (not affiliated with law enforcement) to design and run the program, emphasizing survivor autonomy - participants may join or leave at any time - and mandates strict confidentiality for all communications related to the program, protecting them from use in court. The program will serve survivors statewide (replacing the prior requirement for specific county locations) and must be evaluated within 90 days of completion, with a report recommending whether to continue, expand, or make it permanent. The bill amends existing law by removing the requirement to compensate partner organizations and updating service delivery parameters.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 1256: Establishes minimum level of domestic violence and sexual assault training for judges and judicial personnel.

This New Jersey bill requires municipal court judges, Superior Court judges handling domestic violence cases, and judicial personnel involved in processing domestic violence complaints or sexual assault allegations (outside domestic violence contexts) to complete a minimum of three hours of annual training. The training must include at least 1.5 hours on sexual violence topics like dynamics, survivor impact, and legal procedures, plus core content on domestic violence dynamics, trauma, risk factors, and safety planning. The Administrative Director of the Courts must develop and update this curriculum every two years, with initial training required within 90 days of appointment or transfer. This establishes a standardized, minimum training requirement for all affected court staff, addressing a gap where municipal court judges previously had no statutory training mandate.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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

A 2570: Makes victims of motor vehicle accidents eligible for VCCO compensation under certain circumstances; establishes Traffic Crash Victim's Bill of Rights.

This bill expands eligibility for compensation from New Jersey's Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to include victims of motor vehicle crashes resulting in death or requiring ambulance removal from the scene. It also establishes a "Traffic Crash Victim's Bill of Rights," granting victims and families specific entitlements: free access to police reports and crash evidence, notification about court hearings (including license suspension cases), the right to take work leave for related hearings, protection from harassment by the other driver, and access to compensation assistance. The bill directly affects crash victims who previously did not qualify for VCCO benefits under New Jersey law. These changes aim to provide clearer access to information and support for those impacted by serious traffic crashes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Victims' Rights Employment Discrimination

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

A 2737: Establishes standards for court-ordered counseling for domestic violence offenders.

This bill establishes mandatory standards for domestic violence counseling programs required by courts for offenders. It directly affects defendants ordered to attend such counseling in domestic violence cases, requiring programs to include four key components: risk assessments identifying escalating violence patterns, education on power/control tactics, verified attendance tracking with court reporting, and regular oversight by New Jersey's Department of Children and Families. The law aims to ensure counseling programs actively promote offender accountability rather than simply meeting attendance requirements. It implements a specific recommendation from a 2023 criminal justice report and takes effect three months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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

A 1355: Expands scope of law enforcement sexual assault training; codifies certain responsibilities of county sexual violence programs and rape care advocates.

This bill (A1355) requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to complete trauma-informed training every three years on handling sexual assault cases, covering topics like trauma impact, victim communication, and evidence collection. It mandates that healthcare facilities and police inform all sexual assault victims about county sexual violence program services - including rape care advocates - before medical exams or statements are taken. The bill also codifies that victims can request advocates to accompany them during medical exams, law enforcement interviews, and court proceedings, and specifies advocates must provide confidential support, counseling, and resource referrals. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, sexual assault victims, and county sexual violence programs by standardizing victim support and officer training.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 3388: Permits court to order counseling for children in households with domestic violence in appropriate cases; establishes presumption of award of custody to domestic violence victim in appropriate cases.

This New Jersey bill (A 3388) creates a legal presumption that custody of children should be awarded to a domestic violence victim in appropriate cases, shifting the default in family court custody decisions when abuse is proven. It requires courts to order counseling for children in households affected by domestic violence and mandates that victims and abusers be informed about available counseling services immediately upon filing a complaint. Key mechanisms include waiving residency requirements for filing complaints, streamlining emergency protective orders (including firearm safety measures), and ensuring courts provide clear information about services. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims, their children, and family court proceedings handling custody disputes involving abuse.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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

A 2211: Concerns juveniles charged with or adjudicated delinquent for certain firearms offenses.

This bill amends New Jersey's juvenile detention rules for cases involving specific firearms offenses. It requires courts to consider placement in a reengagement center - offering counseling, job training, and school support - instead of detention for juveniles charged with unlawful weapon possession (N.J.S.2C:39-5) or prohibited weapons (N.J.S.2C:39-3). The law applies directly to juveniles aged 11+ charged with these offenses, mandating parental/guardian written assurance for court appearances and prioritizing rehabilitation over detention. Courts must weigh factors like the juvenile's age and prior court compliance when deciding placements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Juvenile Justice

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

A 4260: Requires expunged records to be accessible for immigration purposes.

This bill requires New Jersey courts and agencies to make expunged criminal records available to individuals upon request for immigration or naturalization purposes. It directly affects noncitizens in New Jersey who have had criminal convictions expunged and need these records for U.S. immigration applications or citizenship processes. Under the bill, if a person with an expungement order requests records for immigration matters, the court or designated agency must provide the records to them or their representative, rather than stating "no record exists." This change ensures expunged records remain accessible for federal immigration requirements without requiring the individual to seek additional legal action.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Courts Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs Immigrant Services

All criminal justice bills