This bill amends existing legislation regarding the disposition of juvenile delinquency cases, specifically increasing penalties for juveniles adjudicated delinquent for certain motor vehicle-related offenses. It mandates that juveniles who commit a third or subsequent violation of motor vehicle theft or eluding must be incarcerated for a term of one year. Additionally, the bill stipulates that juveniles adjudicated for acts that would constitute theft of a motor vehicle, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, or eluding must perform a minimum of 60 days of community service, while those adjudicated for a fourth-degree crime of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle must complete at least 30 days of community service.

The bill also includes a deletion of previous provisions that may have allowed for different penalties or community service requirements, thereby streamlining the consequences for repeat offenders. The new legal language emphasizes the seriousness of repeated offenses related to motor vehicles and aims to enhance accountability and rehabilitation for juvenile offenders. The act is set to take effect four months after its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:4A-43