This bill aims to strengthen protections for public servants by enhancing penalties for threats against them and establishing the crime of doxxing. It amends existing laws to create a permanent restraining order process for victims of crimes such as stalking and threats against public servants, automatically triggering an application for a restraining order upon conviction. The bill also allows law enforcement to seize weapons and ammunition from individuals who threaten public servants, with specific penalties for violations. Additionally, it clarifies definitions of key terms like "immediate family member" and "public servant" to ensure comprehensive legal coverage.

The legislation escalates the classification of threats against public officials, particularly judicial officers and prosecutors, from a third-degree crime to a second-degree crime, and to a first-degree crime if the threat occurs within 500 feet of the victim's residence. It introduces doxxing as a crime, defined as the unauthorized disclosure of personal identifying information intended to cause harm or fear, classified as a fourth-degree crime unless it leads to serious bodily injury or stalking, in which case it becomes a third-degree crime. The bill also addresses the misuse of personal identifying information, making it a third-degree crime to harass individuals or their families using such information, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment, including up to 20 years for first-degree crimes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:12-10.1, 2C:20-31.1, 2C:39-7