Bill
Bill > A719
NJ A719
NJ A719Clarifies that statute of limitation is tolled in certain cases until State possesses match of crime scene evidence and suspect's DNA.
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 clarifies that the statute of limitations in cases involving physical evidence and DNA or fingerprint evidence tolls until confirmation of a match of certain evidence. N.J.S.A.2C:1-6 sets forth time limitations for the prosecution of various offenses. Subsection c. of N.J.S.A.2C:1-6 establishes a timeframe for prosecution of most crimes, but carves out an exception for circumstances in which the prosecution includes DNA or fingerprint evidence; the exception tolls the statutory limitation period. In those cases, subsection c. of N.J.S.A.2C:1-6 provides that "time does not start to run until the State is in possession of both the physical evidence and the DNA or fingerprint evidence necessary to establish the identification of the actor by means of comparison to the physical evidence." In State v. Thompson, 22 N.J. LEXIS 463, the New Jersey 39 Supreme Court interpreted the exception language of subsection c. 40 of N.J.S.A.2C:1-6 to mean the Legislature intended that the statute 41 of limitation in cases involving DNA evidence begins "when the 42 State possesses the physical evidence from the crime as well as the 43 DNA sample from the defendant, not when a match is confirmed." 44 This bill clarifies that the statute of limitations begins to run when a 45 match between the physical evidence and DNA or fingerprint 46 evidence has been confirmed.
AI Summary
This bill clarifies that the statute of limitations, which sets a time limit for prosecuting crimes, is paused or "tolled" in cases where the prosecution relies on DNA or fingerprint evidence to identify a suspect. Specifically, the time limit for bringing charges will not begin to run until the state not only possesses both the physical crime scene evidence and the suspect's DNA or fingerprint evidence, but also has confirmed a match between them. This change addresses a previous interpretation of the law that suggested the time limit started when the state had both types of evidence, regardless of whether a match had been made, and aims to ensure that prosecutions can proceed even if a match takes time to be confirmed.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly 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/A719 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1000/719_I1.HTM |
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