This bill amends existing New Jersey law regarding the venue for juveniles charged with specific acts of delinquency, particularly those related to motor vehicle offenses. Currently, juvenile delinquency complaints are typically filed in the county where the incident occurred, but if the juvenile resides in a different county, the venue may be shifted to their domicile unless the court finds a valid reason to keep it in the original county. The proposed changes introduce a new provision that establishes a presumption for venue in cases where a juvenile is charged with offenses such as theft of a motor vehicle, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, carjacking, or burglary with the intent to commit theft of a motor vehicle, provided the juvenile has a prior adjudication for one of these offenses.

The new legal language specifies that in such cases, the venue shall be presumed to be in the county where the complaint was filed, thereby streamlining the process and potentially increasing accountability for repeat offenders. This amendment aims to address the complexities of juvenile jurisdiction and ensure that serious offenses are handled in a manner that reflects their severity, while also maintaining the court's authority over juvenile matters. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:4A-24