Bill

Bill > A1595


NJ A1595

Upgrades burglary of a residence to a crime of the second degree; requires mandatory period of parole ineligibility if residence was occupied at time of offense.


summary

Introduced
01/27/2016
In Committee
01/27/2016
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2018

Introduced Session

2016-2017 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would upgrade burglary of a residence to a crime of the second degree and provide that an offender is not eligible for early release if a person was present in the residence at the time of the offense. Currently, all burglary offenses are crimes of the third degree unless the offender purposely, knowingly, or recklessly inflicts, attempts to inflict, or threatens to inflict bodily injury on someone or if the offender is armed with explosives or a deadly weapon, in which case it is a crime of the second degree. This bill would provide that it is also a crime of the second degree to unlawfully enter or surreptitiously remain in a dwelling or other structure adapted for overnight accommodation of persons, whether or not a person is actually present. Additionally, the bill would provide that, if a person was present in the dwelling at the time of the burglary, the offender would be subject to the provisions of subsection a. of section 2 of P.L.1997, c.117 (C.2C:43-7.2), commonly known as the "No Early Release Act (NERA)," which requires that certain offenders must serve a minimum 85% of the sentence of imprisonment imposed for the offense. A crime of the second degree is punishable by imprisonment for five to 10 years, up to a $150,000 fine, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by imprisonment for three to five years, up to a $15,000 fine, or both.

AI Summary

This bill upgrades burglary of a residence to a crime of the second degree and requires a mandatory period of parole ineligibility if a person was present in the residence at the time of the offense. Currently, all burglary offenses are crimes of the third degree unless the offender purposely, knowingly, or recklessly inflicts, attempts to inflict, or threatens to inflict bodily injury on someone or if the offender is armed with explosives or a deadly weapon. This bill adds a third circumstance where burglary is a crime of the second degree - when the offender unlawfully enters or surreptitiously remains in a dwelling or other structure adapted for overnight accommodation, regardless of whether a person is actually present. Additionally, if a person was present during the burglary, the offender would be subject to the "No Early Release Act (NERA)," which requires the offender to serve a minimum 85% of the sentence of imprisonment imposed.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/27/2016)

bill text


bill summary

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