This bill amends N.J.S.2C:3-11 to explicitly classify the use of a choke-hold by law enforcement officers as a form of deadly force. The new legal language specifies that if an officer knowingly applies pressure to another person's throat, windpipe, or carotid artery, thereby hindering their ability to breathe or disrupting blood flow to the brain, it constitutes the use of deadly force. This change aims to clarify the circumstances under which such actions are permissible and emphasizes the seriousness of employing choke-holds in law enforcement.

Under current law, the use of deadly force by law enforcement is justified only in specific situations, such as protecting oneself or others from serious harm, arresting a violent criminal, or preventing a violent crime. The bill reinforces that a law enforcement officer is not justified in using a choke-hold unless faced with one of these critical scenarios, thereby aiming to enhance accountability and ensure the protection of individuals' rights during police encounters.