This bill amends New Jersey law to prohibit the sentencing of individuals under 21 years of age to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Specifically, it introduces a new provision stating that courts cannot impose such a sentence on any person who was under 21 at the time of their crime, thereby ensuring that young offenders are not subjected to life sentences that deny them the opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration into society. This change is a direct response to a ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, which found that life sentences without parole for individuals aged 18 to 20 are unconstitutional under the prohibition against cruel or unusual punishment.

Under current law, individuals under 21 can be sentenced to life imprisonment, but this bill seeks to align New Jersey's legal framework with evolving standards of justice regarding young offenders. The bill emphasizes the importance of considering the age and potential for rehabilitation of individuals when determining appropriate sentences for crimes, reflecting a growing recognition of the developmental differences between younger and older adults in the criminal justice system. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:43-7.1