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.)
This bill creates a new third-degree crime of incest in New Jersey, making it illegal for someone to marry or engage in sexual penetration with specific close family members. It directly affects individuals in relationships including ancestors/descendants, siblings, aunts/uncles (siblings of a parent), or nieces/nephews (children of a sibling), covering both blood relatives and adopted family ties regardless of legitimacy. The law establishes penalties of 3-5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both for violations. This expands criminal liability beyond current sexual assault laws, which previously did not cover incestuous acts between consenting adults.
This bill amends New Jersey's harassment law to specifically target harassment of athletes during sports events when tied to gambling outcomes. It creates two new offenses: a fourth-degree crime for harassment related to gambling losses (both illegal and legal sports betting) during events, and a third-degree crime if the victim is a student athlete (high school or college). The key consequence is a lifetime ban from all online and in-person sports betting for anyone convicted of a second harassment offense under this provision, or for assault cases linked to such harassment. It directly affects athletes participating in sanctioned events and individuals who harass them over gambling-related losses.
This New Jersey bill (A880) mandates life imprisonment without parole for specific severe sexual assault convictions. It directly affects individuals convicted of aggravated sexual assault causing serious bodily injury (under N.J.S.2C:14-2) or sexual assault involving victims under 16 with deadly weapons (N.J.S.2C:14-2/3). Key provisions require courts to impose fixed minimum terms: 30 years to life for aggravated assault, 10-20 years for standard sexual assault, and 5-10 years for criminal sexual contact, with parole eligibility only after serving at least half the sentence or 25 years if life-imprisoned. The bill is pending legislative action and would amend sentencing statutes (N.J.S.2C:14-6, 2C:43-7, 2C:44-3).
This bill creates a rebuttable presumption that defendants charged with aggravated assault on law enforcement officers must be held in pretrial detention. It directly affects individuals facing this specific charge, requiring prosecutors to file a motion for detention rather than the court independently determining risk. The key mechanism establishes that the court must presume detention is necessary unless the defendant provides evidence to the contrary at a hearing. This changes existing procedures by adding aggravated assault on officers to the list of offenses where detention is presumed, without requiring the prosecution to prove exceptional circumstances.
S 3701, "Daniel Kearney's Law," creates criminal penalties for drivers who violate probationary license restrictions while under the influence of alcohol/drugs (R.S.39:4-50) or operating with a suspended license. It applies to drivers with probationary licenses who break these restrictions, particularly when combined with DUI or license suspension. The bill mandates a minimum prison term of one-third to one-half the sentence (or three years, whichever is greater) and requires a five-year to life license suspension for such violations. This amendment to New Jersey's reckless vehicular homicide law (N.J.S.2C:11-5) increases penalties for these specific offenses without changing general traffic laws.
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.
This bill (A 867) establishes a "Stand Your Ground" law in New Jersey, removing the duty to retreat when defending one's home or vehicle. It allows individuals to use force (including deadly force) without retreating if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death, serious harm, or a violent crime (like assault, robbery, or murder). The law presumes a reasonable fear of danger when someone unlawfully enters a home or vehicle, though this presumption does not apply if the defender is committing a crime or if law enforcement is entering properly. It repeals the existing self-defense law (N.J.S.2C:3-6).
Bill A-1075 would change where fees for certain firearm permits are deposited. Currently, fees paid by applicants for handgun purchase permits and firearms purchaser identification cards go into the Violent Crime Control and Enforcement (VCCO) account. This bill redirects those fees into the state’s General Fund instead. It directly affects individuals applying for these firearm permits who pay the associated fees. The change applies to the specific permit types covered under New Jersey Statutes 2C:58-3 and 2C:58-4.
This bill amends New Jersey law to specifically criminalize sexual assault by transportation drivers against passengers. It creates a new aggravating factor for sexual assault (making it a first-degree crime) when a taxi or ride-share driver commits sexual penetration or contact using coercion or without the passenger's permission. The law directly affects drivers of transportation network companies (like Uber/Lyft) or taxicabs and their passengers. Violators face 25 years to life imprisonment for aggravated sexual assault, significantly increasing penalties compared to standard sexual assault charges. The change applies only when the victim is a passenger, not when the victim is a driver or in other contexts.
