Bill > S3886

This bill creates a new criminal offense called "victimization of a senior citizen or a person with a disability" which applies when someone commits, attempts, conspires to commit, or threatens to commit certain criminal offenses against individuals who are 62 years or older or have a significant physical or mental impairment that substantially limits their ability to resist. The bill increases the severity of the punishment by grading the victimization offense one degree higher than the underlying crime (for example, a third-degree crime would become a second-degree crime). For first-degree crimes, the victimization charge would remain a first-degree crime but allows for a longer potential sentence of 20 years to life, with a presumptive term of 50 years. Additionally, the bill mandates post-incarceration parole supervision of five years for first-degree crimes and three years for second-degree crimes. Importantly, the bill specifies that the victimization charge cannot be merged with the underlying offense, meaning a person can be sentenced separately for both crimes. The definitions of "senior citizen" and "person with a disability" are specifically detailed to ensure clear application of the law, with the latter including individuals who have impairments that substantially limit their ability to resist and those qualifying for certain disability benefits.

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https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S3886