Bill
Bill > A327
NJ A327
NJ A327"Stolen Car Accountability Act"; concerns juveniles tried as adults for motor vehicle theft and residential burglary.
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 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, the "Stolen Car Accountability Act," allows for juveniles charged with residential burglary and motor vehicle theft committed during that burglary to be tried as adults. If the juvenile is a first-time, non-violent offender and cooperates with prosecutors to help arrest and convict the adult leader or recruiter of an auto theft network, they can receive a plea bargain to dismiss the burglary charge and face a five-year prison sentence with three years of parole ineligibility, followed by eligibility for expungement (clearing of their record) after three years. If the juvenile declines this plea but still cooperates after conviction, they may receive a reduced sentence, reduced or waived fines, or both. The bill also clarifies that residential burglary is typically a second-degree crime, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 85% of the imposed sentence under the No Early Release Act, while motor vehicle theft is usually a third-degree crime, punishable by three to five years in prison, though it can be a second-degree crime if the vehicle's value is $75,000 or more or if multiple vehicles are stolen.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
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/A327 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A0500/327_I1.HTM |
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