Bill
Bill > S375
NJ S375
NJ S375Requires juveniles to be tried as adult for certain serious offenses under No Early Release Act.
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 revises the juvenile waiver law to require a juvenile, regardless of the juvenile's age, to be tried as an adult for crimes committed under the "No Early Release Act" (NERA). Under current law, juveniles 15 years of age and older at the time of the alleged delinquent act who are charged with certain offenses, including criminal homicide other than death by auto, are eligible to be waived to adult criminal court. This bill expands the list of crimes to include all NERA crimes. In addition, under this bill a juvenile may be waived into adult court regardless of the juvenile's age. The crimes listed under the NERA include murder; aggravated manslaughter or manslaughter; vehicular homicide; aggravated assault; disarming a law enforcement officer; kidnapping; aggravated sexual assault; sexual assault; robbery; carjacking; aggravated arson; burglary; extortion; booby traps in manufacturing or distribution facilities; strict liability for drug induced deaths; terrorism; producing or possessing chemical weapons; biological agents or nuclear or radiological devices; racketeering offenses; firearms trafficking; certain child pornography offenses; home invasion; burglary; and residential burglary.
AI Summary
This bill amends existing law to require juveniles to be tried as adults for certain serious offenses, regardless of their age, under the "No Early Release Act" (NERA). The NERA is a set of laws that mandates minimum prison sentences for specific violent crimes, meaning offenders cannot be released early. Previously, only juveniles aged 15 and older charged with certain offenses, like criminal homicide, were eligible for this transfer to adult court. This bill expands that eligibility to include all crimes listed under the NERA, which encompass a wide range of severe offenses such as murder, aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide, aggravated assault, kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, robbery, carjacking, and terrorism, among others. The bill also removes the age requirement for waiver, meaning even younger juveniles can be tried as adults if they commit one of these NERA offenses.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/S375 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S0500/375_I1.HTM |
Loading...