This bill amends N.J.S.2C:18-2 to upgrade the crime of burglary of a residence to a second-degree offense. Under the new provisions, a person can be charged with second-degree burglary if they unlawfully enter or remain in a dwelling or any structure designed for overnight accommodation, regardless of whether anyone is present. This change aims to enhance penalties for residential burglary, which is considered a more serious offense due to the potential threat to personal safety and privacy.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that individuals convicted of second-degree burglary of a residence will be subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), which mandates that they serve a minimum of 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole. This aligns the penalties for residential burglary with those for other serious crimes, reflecting the state's commitment to addressing property crimes that pose risks to individuals' safety and security.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:43-7.2