This bill amends current law to allow juveniles of any age to be eligible for waiver to adult criminal court for certain criminal homicide offenses, specifically excluding death by auto. Previously, only juveniles aged 15 and older could be waived for such offenses. The bill introduces new legal language stating that if there is probable cause to believe a juvenile committed a delinquent act that would constitute criminal homicide if committed by an adult, the court must waive jurisdiction without the juvenile's consent.

Additionally, the bill removes the previous stipulation that criminal homicide was only applicable to juveniles aged 15 and older. It also includes provisions for the Attorney General to develop guidelines for uniform application of this law and mandates the Youth Justice Commission to collect and analyze data regarding the waiver of jurisdiction in juvenile cases. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:4A-26.1