Bill
Bill > A5657
NJ A5657
NJ A5657"Stolen Car Accountability Act"; concerns juveniles tried as adults for motor vehicle theft and residential burglary.
summary
Introduced
05/08/2025
05/08/2025
In Committee
05/08/2025
05/08/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill provides for the waiver of a juvenile, charged with residential burglary and motor vehicle theft committed in connection with the residential burglary, from the Family Part to the Law Division of the Superior Court to be tried as an adult. Under the bill, if the juvenile is a non-violent first-time offender, and provides cooperation to the prosecutor leading to the arrest and conviction of an adult who is the leader of an auto theft network or who recruited the juvenile into a scheme to commit auto theft, the juvenile is eligible to plea bargain for a dismissal of the residential burglary charge and for a sentence of imprisonment for five years with three years of parole ineligibility. Following release from custody, the juvenile is eligible for an expungement after three years. If a juvenile is offered but declines such a plea bargain, but nevertheless provides cooperation to the prosecutor following conviction, the juvenile is eligible for a sentencing reduction, reduction or waiver of court-ordered financial obligations, or both. Motor vehicle theft is ordinarily a crime of the third degree. If the value of the vehicle is $75,000 or more, or if the theft involved more than one motor vehicle, it is a crime of the second degree. Residential burglary is ordinarily a crime of the second degree and subject to the No Early Release Act, which requires a person to serve at least 85% of the sentence imposed. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both.
AI Summary
This bill provides a comprehensive approach to addressing juvenile motor vehicle theft and residential burglary, offering a pathway for young offenders to potentially mitigate their legal consequences through cooperation with prosecutors. Specifically, the bill allows for juveniles who meet certain criteria (such as being a first-time, non-violent offender and not possessing a firearm during the offense) to be tried as adults and offered a plea bargain. If the juvenile provides evidence leading to the arrest and conviction of an adult involved in an auto theft network, they may be eligible to have their residential burglary charge dismissed and receive a five-year prison sentence with three years of parole ineligibility. Even if a juvenile initially declines a plea agreement, they can still negotiate for potential sentence reductions or financial obligation waivers if they subsequently cooperate with prosecutors. The bill also allows for an expedited expungement process, permitting juveniles to petition for record sealing after three years instead of the standard five-year waiting period. Additionally, the legislation amends existing law to specifically include residential burglary and motor vehicle theft as offenses that can result in a juvenile being transferred to adult court, providing prosecutors and courts with more flexibility in handling these specific types of juvenile criminal cases.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 05/08/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5657 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6000/5657_I1.HTM |
Loading...