This bill amends current New Jersey law to require that juveniles aged 16 and older be automatically waived from family court to adult court for criminal matters, without the need for the juvenile's consent. Previously, only juveniles aged 15 and older could be considered for waiver to adult court for certain serious offenses. The new provision stipulates that if a juvenile is 16 years of age or older at the time of the alleged delinquent act and there is probable cause to believe they committed an act that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult, the court must automatically waive jurisdiction to the appropriate adult court.

Additionally, the bill maintains the existing eligibility for juveniles aged 15 to be waived to adult court under the same criteria as before. The changes aim to streamline the process for prosecuting older juveniles as adults, reflecting a shift in how the legal system addresses juvenile delinquency for this age group. The Attorney General is also tasked with developing guidelines to ensure uniform application of this law across the state.

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