New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A1260

Introduced
1/9/24  

Caption

Restores the death penalty for certain murders.

Impact

If passed, A1260 would reinstate death sentences for individuals convicted of capital murder under defined circumstances, requiring a two-phase judicial process to determine the appropriateness of the death penalty. Following a conviction, a second sentencing hearing will weigh aggravating factors, such as prior convictions and the nature of the crime, against mitigating circumstances. This dual-process approach aims to maintain judicial discretion in such grave matters while also ensuring that any death penalty ruling aligns with certain aggravating elements outlined in the bill. The bill also includes provisions to isolate inmates sentenced to death from the general prison population until execution.

Summary

A1260 is a legislative bill introduced in the New Jersey legislature aimed at restoring the death penalty for certain types of murder that had been previously abolished in 2007. This bill seeks to amend various parts of the statutory law to re-implement the death penalty for offenders convicted of specific serious offenses, particularly targeting felonies involving murder of law enforcement officers or minors, and murders committed during acts of terrorism. The legislation reflects a significant shift in penal philosophy, prioritizing retributive justice for particularly heinous crimes.

Contention

The proposal to restore capital punishment has ignited a contentious debate. Supporters argue that reinstating the death penalty serves justice and deters serious violent crimes, while opponents raise ethical concerns about the effectiveness, morality, and fairness of capital punishment. They point to wrongful convictions and the systemic biases that may influence sentencing outcomes, particularly against minority defendants. Furthermore, the bill imposes more exacting standards on jurors' qualifications in death penalty cases, aiming to ensure a fair and impartial jury process in such high-stakes trials.

Companion Bills

NJ A3046

Carry Over Restores the death penalty for certain murders.

Previously Filed As

NJ A3046

Restores the death penalty for certain murders.

NJ A2435

Reinstates the death penalty for certain murders.

NJ S1672

Reinstates the death penalty for certain murders.

NJ A710

Provides for mandatory terms of imprisonment for certain sexual assaults upon a minor; amends murder statute.

NJ A1730

Provides for mandatory terms of imprisonment for certain sexual assaults upon a minor; amends murder statute.

NJ S4052

Amends felony murder, aggravated manslaughter, and aggravated assault statutes to include death or bodily injury occurring during commission of auto theft.

NJ A5317

Amends felony murder, aggravated manslaughter, and aggravated assault statutes to include death or bodily injury occurring during commission of auto theft.

NJ A1001

"Judy and Nikki's Law"; provides for life imprisonment without parole for persons convicted of murder of a child 16 years of age or younger.

NJ A2122

"Judy and Nikki's Law"; provides for life imprisonment without parole for persons convicted of murder of a child 16 years of age or younger.

NJ S844

Provides for life imprisonment without parole for killing an emergency responder.

Similar Bills

NJ A3046

Restores the death penalty for certain murders.

NJ A2435

Reinstates the death penalty for certain murders.

NJ S1672

Reinstates the death penalty for certain murders.

AR SB552

To Create The Offense Of Capital Rape.

NJ A5004

Creates separate crime for items depicting sexual exploitation or abuse of children; concerns computer generated or manipulated sexually explicit images.

NJ S3823

Creates separate crime for items depicting sexual exploitation or abuse of children; concerns computer generated or manipulated sexually explicit images.

CA SB1358

Public Utilities Commission: proceedings: hearings.

AR SB375

To Create The Offense Of Capital Rape; And To Amend A Portion Of Arkansas Code Which Resulted From Initiated Act 3 Of 1936.