This bill expands the list of offenses for which a juvenile may be waived to adult criminal court, specifically including theft or unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. It stipulates that juveniles aged 15 years or older who have previously been adjudicated delinquent for such offenses are now eligible for waiver to adult court. Additionally, the bill introduces a strict liability provision for adults who use, solicit, direct, hire, or employ a juvenile (17 years of age or younger) to commit theft of a motor vehicle, making it a second-degree crime regardless of the adult's knowledge of the juvenile's age.

The legal language amended in the bill includes the addition of theft of a motor vehicle as a qualifying offense for waiver to adult court and establishes the strict liability standard for adults involved in such crimes. The bill emphasizes that it is not a defense for the adult to claim a mistaken belief regarding the juvenile's age. A second-degree crime carries significant penalties, including imprisonment of five to ten years and fines up to $150,000. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:4A-26.1, 2C:20-17