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Bill > S1036
NJ S1036
NJ S1036Requires automatic waiver of juvenile age 16 and older to be tried as adult for criminal matters.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires juveniles who are 16 years of age or older to be automatically waived from family court to adult court and tried as adults for criminal matters. Under current law, juveniles 15 years of age and older who are charged with certain criminal offenses are eligible to be waived to criminal court to be tried as adults. Under the provisions of the bill, the court is required to automatically waive juveniles to adult court without the juvenile's consent if they were 16 years of age or older at the time of the alleged delinquent act and there is probable cause to believe that the juvenile committed a delinquent act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime, a disorderly persons offense, a petty disorderly persons offense, or a violation of any other penal statute, ordinance, or regulation. Juveniles age 15 would continue to be eligible to be waived to adult criminal court as they are under current law.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that juveniles aged 16 and older who are accused of committing a crime, a disorderly persons offense (a less serious offense than a crime), a petty disorderly persons offense (even less serious), or violating any other penal law will be automatically transferred from family court to adult criminal court for trial, without needing the court's approval or the juvenile's consent, provided there is sufficient evidence (probable cause) to believe they committed the act. This change expands the current law, which allows for such transfers for juveniles aged 15 and older for more serious offenses, by making the transfer automatic for 16 and 17-year-olds for a broader range of offenses. Juveniles who are 15 years old will continue to be eligible for transfer to adult court under the existing criteria.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/S1036 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1500/1036_I1.HTM |
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