Bill > A4335

Introduced Session

This bill concerns juveniles who are charged with or adjudicated delinquent for certain firearms offenses. Under current law, a judge or court intake officer is required to consider and where appropriate, use certain alternatives to placing a juvenile who has been charged with certain offenses in a juvenile detention facility. In addition to those alternatives set forth under current law, this bill includes the following as alternatives to placing a juvenile in detention: 1) in the case of a juvenile who has been charged with an offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute unlawful possession of a weapon or possession of a prohibited weapon or device, placement in a residential reengagement center or a non-residential reengagement center program and a requirement for the parent or guardian of the juvenile or an appointed court official, as appropriate, to attend hearings conducted as part of this placement; and 2) in the case of a juvenile who has been charged with an offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime of the first, second, or third degree, or one of the following fourth degree crimes: aggravated assault, stalking, criminal sexual contact, bias intimidation, failure to control or report a dangerous fire, possession of a prohibited weapon or device or unlawful possession of a weapon subsequent to being charged with an offense, which, if committed by an adult, would constitute unlawful possession of a weapon or possession of a prohibited weapon or device, placement in a residential reengagement center or a non-residential reengagement center program and a requirement for the parent or guardian of the juvenile or an appointed court official, as appropriate, to attend hearings and participate in programs conducted as part of this placement. In both cases, a parent or guardian of the juvenile or an appointed court official, as appropriate, is required to provide written assurance that the juvenile and the parent, guardian, or appointed court official, as appropriate, will appear at the next hearing. In addition, under current law, if a juvenile is adjudicated delinquent, the court, in accordance with certain principles, may order incarceration of the juvenile or may order certain other enumerated dispositions. Under this bill, in addition to the dispositions set forth under current law, the court may also order the following disposition: in the case of a juvenile who is adjudicated delinquent for an act, which if committed by an adult, would constitute unlawful possession of a weapon or possession of a prohibited weapon or device, place the juvenile in a residential reengagement center or a non-residential reengagement center program and order the parent or guardian of the juvenile or an appointed court official, as appropriate, to attend hearings conducted as part of this placement. Further, under current law, one of the enumerated dispositions that a judge may order is a requirement for a parent or guardian of the juvenile to make restitution in certain cases. This bill clarifies that the parent or guardian is also required to participate in the restitution process. Under the bill, "reengagement center" is defined as a facility that provides counseling, direct career placement services, self-improvement programs, school assistance, resources for enrolling in college preparation courses or vocational training, extracurricular activities, and information to assist the juvenile with re-enrolling in a high school or a General Educational Development (GED) program and that gives the juvenile an opportunity to reconnect with the community for the purpose of rehabilitation and prevention of future unlawful activity.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Reginald Atkins (D)*,  Shanique Speight (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee (on 05/10/2024)

Official Document