Bill > A5899

This bill modifies existing juvenile justice law to mandate that courts automatically transfer a juvenile's criminal case to adult court if there is probable cause that the juvenile intentionally killed a law enforcement officer while the officer was on duty or because of their professional status. Specifically, the bill requires courts to waive juvenile court jurisdiction without needing the juvenile's consent when the alleged crime involves criminal homicide (excluding vehicular homicide) of a uniformed or officially identified law enforcement officer. The bill includes a protective provision allowing courts to deny such a transfer if they determine the prosecutor is abusing their discretion in seeking the waiver. Unlike previous juvenile justice approaches that considered age as a factor in determining whether to try a juvenile as an adult, this bill removes age restrictions and focuses solely on the nature of the alleged crime and the victim's status. The legislation aims to ensure that individuals who murder law enforcement officers are prosecuted in adult court, regardless of their age at the time of the offense. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Justice

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5899