Bill > S176

This bill amends existing New Jersey law to increase the penalties for hindering the apprehension or prosecution of another person. Previously, the penalty for hindering apprehension was determined by the severity of the crime the person being aided was charged with, with specific degrees of crime (second, third, or fourth) and a disorderly persons offense depending on the circumstances and familial relationship to the offender. This bill simplifies the penalty structure by stating that anyone who hinders the apprehension or prosecution of another person will be guilty of a crime or offense of the same degree as the most serious crime or offense that the person being aided is known to have been charged with or is liable to be charged with. This applies to offenses related to general criminal law, Title 39 of the Revised Statutes (which covers motor vehicle and traffic regulations), and chapter 33A of Title 17 of the Revised Statutes (which deals with insurance fraud). The bill also clarifies that this applies to providing false information to law enforcement or investigators from the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.