This bill amends current New Jersey law to require that juveniles aged 16 and older be automatically waived from family court to adult court for criminal matters, without the need for the juvenile's consent. Previously, only juveniles aged 15 and older could be considered for such waivers, and the decision was contingent upon the prosecutor filing a motion and the court's evaluation of various factors. The new provision stipulates that if a juvenile is 16 years of age or older at the time of the alleged delinquent act and there is probable cause to believe they committed a delinquent act that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult, the court must automatically waive jurisdiction.

Additionally, the bill maintains the existing provisions for juveniles aged 15, who remain eligible for waiver to adult court under similar circumstances. The legislation aims to streamline the process for handling serious offenses committed by older juveniles, reflecting a shift towards treating these cases with greater severity in the adult criminal justice system. The Attorney General is also tasked with developing guidelines to ensure uniform application of this law across the state.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:4A-26.1