Criminal Justice

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

A 3828: Provides full forfeiture of pension of elected or appointed official convicted of any crime touching office.

This bill (A 3828) requires New Jersey pension boards to automatically forfeit *all* pension benefits for elected or appointed state/local officials convicted of crimes related to their public office, regardless of whether the pension system covered that specific position. It applies to convictions for misconduct "touching" the office (e.g., bribery, abuse of power), making forfeiture mandatory rather than discretionary. The law expands current rules by eliminating the previous requirement that the pension system must have covered the office where misconduct occurred. It does not allow partial forfeiture or consider mitigating factors like length of service; the board must order full forfeiture upon conviction for qualifying crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires automatic pension forfeiture for officials convicted of office-related crimes, enhancing accountability in public office - a key component of criminal justice reform.90% confidence

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

A 2164: Establishes pilot program in certain municipalities to make grants available to non-profit organizations to perform outreach regarding VCCO.

This bill establishes a 3-year pilot program in New Jersey’s six highest-crime municipalities (per state police data) to provide grants to non-profit organizations for outreach about the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO). The grants would help non-profits inform crime victims about accessing state compensation for expenses related to crimes. The Department of Law and Public Safety would administer the program and require a post-pilot report to the Governor and Legislature, recommending whether to continue, expand, or make the program permanent. The initiative directly aims to improve access to victim compensation services in communities most affected by crime.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds non-profits to help crime victims access state compensation, directly supporting victim services within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Victims' Rights

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

A 297: Lowers monetary threshold for certain motor vehicle theft to constitute second degree crime.

This bill amends New Jersey's theft statute to set a specific $25,000 value threshold for motor vehicle theft to be classified as a second-degree crime. Currently, most thefts exceeding $75,000 are second-degree, but this change ensures motor vehicles valued at $25,000 or more automatically qualify as second-degree offenses (punishable by up to 10 years in prison), while vehicles under $25,000 remain third-degree theft. It directly affects individuals who steal motor vehicles worth $25,000 or more, raising the severity of penalties for higher-value auto thefts. The bill maintains the existing structure but clarifies the lower threshold specifically for motor vehicles.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeLowers theft threshold from $75k to $25k for second-degree classification, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 351: Increases penalty for motor vehicle theft if, during course of theft, vehicle is operated in manner creating risk of injury or property damage.

This bill upgrades motor vehicle theft to a first-degree crime if, during the theft, the vehicle is operated in a way that creates a risk of injury to people or damage to property. It directly affects individuals who steal vehicles and drive recklessly while doing so, such as through high-speed chases or dangerous maneuvers. The key provision increases penalties to up to 20 years in prison or a $200,000 fine for this specific reckless conduct. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for reckless vehicle theft, expanding criminalization and mandatory sentencing - directly opposes reform-focused criminal justice indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 737: Broadens offenses of riot and disorderly conduct; enhances penalties for public monument destruction; addresses riot victim assaults; creates crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly.

Bill A 737 broadens New Jersey's riot and disorderly conduct laws by lowering the threshold for riot charges from six to four participants, increasing penalties for damaging public monuments during riots (classifying it as a fourth-degree crime), and creating new assault charges targeting attacks on first responders, school staff, or emergency personnel during such events. It also establishes a new offense for promoting violent, disorderly assemblies. The bill directly affects individuals participating in or organizing protests that cause property damage, threaten officials, or disrupt public spaces. Currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee as of its January 2026 introduction.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by lowering riot threshold, increasing penalties for monument damage, and creating new assault charges against responders - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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

A 1648: Establishes database containing information on traffic stops by certain law enforcement officers.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create a public, searchable database tracking all traffic stops by state and local police. It mandates that police departments submit quarterly reports containing detailed information about each stop, including the driver's race/ethnicity, age, gender, the reason for the stop, whether a search occurred, and outcomes like citations or arrests. The database will include even stops resulting only in oral warnings, covering all interactions with law enforcement. The public can access this data online through the Department of Law and Public Safety website, aiming to increase transparency in traffic enforcement practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates public database tracking traffic stops with demographic data to enhance police accountability, a core criminal justice reform measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 679: Allows certain drug dealing offenses to be graded by "units," rather than weight, of controlled dangerous substances.

This bill (A 679) proposes changing how certain drug distribution offenses are categorized in New Jersey law. It would allow offenses involving controlled dangerous substances to be graded based on the number of "units" (e.g., pills, bags, or individual items) rather than the total weight of the substance. This change would directly affect individuals charged with drug distribution, potentially altering sentencing severity for cases involving small quantities measured in units. The bill amends specific sections of New Jersey's controlled substances statutes (N.J.S.2C:35-2 and N.J.S.2C:35-5) to implement this unit-based grading system. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill changes drug offense grading from weight to units, potentially reducing sentencing severity for small quantities - a common criminal justice reform approach to avoid harsh penalties for minor offenses.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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

AR 55: Condemns publication and distribution of images inciting, glorifying, or justifying violence against law enforcement officers.

This Assembly Resolution (AR 55) is a symbolic statement condemning the publication and distribution of images that incite, glorify, or justify violence against law enforcement officers. It specifically references recent circulating images, including a graphic social media post by an NFL player depicting a police officer being harmed, and connects such content to extremist groups like ISIS. The resolution does not impose legal restrictions or penalties - it only formally expresses opposition to these images and urges citizens to counter offensive speech with more speech, while acknowledging First Amendment protections. It will be sent to state and federal officials, police associations, and the President as a formal expression of support for law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCondemns images glorifying violence against officers, supporting law enforcement safety within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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

AR 35: Supports the federal Emmett Till Antilynching Act.

This New Jersey Assembly resolution (AR 35) expresses support for the federal Emmett Till Antilynching Act, which became law in March 2022 making lynching a federal hate crime. It has no legal effect on state or federal law but formally urges continued legislative action to address racial violence, referencing the historical context of over 200 failed anti-lynching bills. The resolution directs copies to federal leaders, including the President, Congress, and New Jersey's congressional delegation. As a symbolic gesture, it does not directly affect any individuals or create new legal requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpresses support for federal antilynching law making lynching a hate crime, advancing criminal justice reform by addressing racial violence and protecting civil rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SJR 91: Establishes task force to study ways to increase diversity within law enforcement agencies.

SJR 91 establishes a 13-member task force to study methods for increasing diversity and community representation within New Jersey's law enforcement agencies, including state, local, and municipal departments. The task force will include representatives from the legislature, law enforcement associations, civil rights organizations, and community stakeholders (with specific urban and non-urban representation), and must hold at least three public hearings across the state. It will examine current data, research, and policies on diversity in law enforcement to develop recommendations. The task force will report its findings and suggestions to the legislature, though the bill does not mandate specific policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes task force to study increasing law enforcement diversity, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of enhancing representation and community trust.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Policing

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