Bill > A135

This bill modifies existing juvenile waiver laws, specifically referencing a law from 2015 (P.L.2015, c.89, C.2A:4A-26.1), to allow any juvenile, regardless of age, to be automatically tried as an adult if there is sufficient evidence, known as "probable cause," to believe they committed a serious crime. This crime is defined as "criminal homicide," which means purposely or knowingly causing someone's death, excluding "death by auto" (a traffic-related fatality). The key change is that this automatic transfer to adult court will apply if the victim was a law enforcement officer who was killed while on duty, in uniform, showing authority, or specifically because of their job as an officer. While the prosecutor can move to have a juvenile tried as an adult under these circumstances, a judge can deny this request if they believe the prosecutor is abusing their power.

Justice

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A135