This bill amends the definition of "domestic violence" in New Jersey law to explicitly include the attempt or conspiracy to commit acts that are already classified as domestic violence. The current law defines domestic violence as the occurrence of specific enumerated acts, such as homicide, assault, and sexual assault, inflicted upon a protected person. However, it does not currently encompass attempts or conspiracies to commit these acts. The amendment aims to clarify the Legislature's intent following a court decision that vacated a domestic violence surcharge against a defendant convicted of attempted murder, as the court found that attempted murder was not included in the list of enumerated acts.

By inserting language that includes attempts or conspiracies to commit the specified acts, the bill seeks to ensure that individuals who engage in such behavior can still be held accountable under domestic violence statutes. This change is intended to strengthen the legal framework surrounding domestic violence and ensure that penalties, such as the $100 surcharge for those convicted of domestic violence, apply to a broader range of offenses, thereby enhancing protections for victims. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:25-19