This bill amends current New Jersey law to expand the list of offenses for which juveniles may be waived to adult criminal court, specifically including theft or unlawful taking of motor vehicles. It stipulates that juveniles aged 15 and older who have previously been adjudicated delinquent for these offenses are now eligible for waiver to adult court. Additionally, the bill establishes that using a juvenile in the theft of a motor vehicle is a strict liability crime, meaning that individuals aged 18 and older who employ or direct a juvenile to commit such theft can be prosecuted without the need to prove intent or knowledge regarding the juvenile's age.

The bill modifies existing legal language to reflect these changes, including the insertion of new provisions that classify the use of a juvenile in motor vehicle theft as a second-degree crime, which carries significant penalties of five to ten years of imprisonment and fines up to $150,000. The legislation aims to address the serious nature of motor vehicle theft and enhance accountability for adults who involve minors in these criminal activities. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

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