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Bill > A5193
NJ A5193
NJ A5193Renders contracts to provide criminal assistance unlawful; creates civil right of action for victims of certain criminal conduct.
summary
Introduced
01/16/2025
01/16/2025
In Committee
01/16/2025
01/16/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill renders void certain agreements, and creates a statutory right of action for certain crime victims. Under the bill, an act of concealment, alteration, or destruction of evidence that is intended to thwart law enforcement detection of an alleged offender in exchange for money or non-monetary compensation is defined as rendering criminal assistance. The agreement itself, whether written or oral, express or implied, is rendered void. Moreover, the victim of the crime is granted a private right of action against the person or private entity who entered into the agreement. Under the bill, a person or private entity "renders criminal assistance" when, with the intent to prevent, hinder, or delay the discovery or apprehension of an alleged offender who such person or private entity knows or believes has committed a crime or is being sought by law enforcement for the commission of a crime, commits any act of concealment, alteration, or destruction of any physical evidence which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of the alleged offender in exchange for money or non-monetary compensation. This bill is based on legislation pending in the New York Legislature known as "Cassie's Law."
AI Summary
This bill creates a legal framework to address criminal assistance agreements by defining and prohibiting contracts that aim to conceal, alter, or destroy evidence related to a crime. Specifically, the bill defines "rendering criminal assistance" as any act intended to prevent, hinder, or delay the discovery or apprehension of an alleged offender, done in exchange for monetary or non-monetary compensation. Such agreements, whether written or oral, are declared void and contrary to public policy. The bill empowers crime victims to bring a civil lawsuit against individuals or private entities (defined as any non-public organization or individual) who enter into such agreements, with a statute of limitations of five years from the date the victim discovers or reasonably should have discovered the criminal assistance. This new legal cause of action is designed to be independent of and supplemental to existing legal remedies, meaning it does not replace but rather adds to current ways victims can seek justice. The legislation, reportedly based on "Cassie's Law" pending in New York, aims to discourage and provide recourse against attempts to obstruct criminal investigations by offering compensation for hiding evidence.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (5)
Ellen Park (D)*,
Jessica Ramirez (D)*,
Shavonda Sumter (D)*,
Michele Matsikoudis (R),
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D),
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 01/16/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5193 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A5500/5193_I1.HTM |
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