Bill > A2484

Introduced Session

This bill would upgrade the crime of false public alarm whenever such false alarm targeted certain persons. Specifically, the bill would upgrade the crime of false public alarm to a crime of the second degree whenever the act was done knowing that it would result in a law enforcement response against an elected official, any justice of the Supreme Court, judge of the Superior Court, judge of the Tax Court or municipal judge, or a law enforcement officer. The crime as upgraded would be punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. Under current law, such an act may be graded as a crime of the third degree, punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. The responsible party would also be liable, based on current law, for a civil penalty of $2,000 or the actual costs incurred by or resulting from the law enforcement and emergency services response to the false alarm. See P.L.1999, c.195, s.3 (C.2C:33-3.2). According to the sponsor, a false public alarm that is done knowing it would result in a law enforcement response against an elected official, justice or judge, or law enforcement officer represents a deliberate targeting of the makers, interpreters, and enforcers of our laws. As such, these acts, sometimes referred to as "swatting" due to the immediate and often aggressive deployment or use of law enforcement, should be discouraged by upgrading the crime of false public alarm when those persons are targeted.

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Annette Quijano (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 02/03/2020)