New Jersey Assembly Bill A3590

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/8/24
• Refer: 2/8/24

Caption

Upgrades burglary of residence to crime of the second degree.

Impact

If enacted, A3590 will have significant implications for state laws related to burglary. A second-degree crime in New Jersey carries a potential sentence of five to ten years of imprisonment and fines up to $150,000. This stricter sentencing framework could lead to longer incarceration periods for offenders and may also increase pressures on the prison system. The bill aims specifically to make homes safer by making potential offenders more aware of the severe consequences of unlawfully entering residential properties.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3590 seeks to amend New Jersey's burglary laws by upgrading the classification of burglary of a residence to a crime of the second degree. This change modifies the existing statute whereby such burglary was previously classified as a crime of the third degree, thus imposing more severe penalties for those convicted of residential burglary. The intent of this bill is to enhance the penalties for crimes against homes to better protect residents and deter criminal acts, especially in the context of increasing concerns about home safety.

Contention

There could be points of contention regarding the bill, particularly around the effectiveness of increasing penalties as a deterrent to crime. Critics might argue that simply increasing penalties does not address underlying issues related to crime and can disproportionately impact communities. Additionally, there may be concerns about how such changes will be implemented within the justice system and the effects on parole eligibility, especially since the bill incorporates the No Early Release Act provisions, requiring offenders to serve a minimum of 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.