Source: US State of New Jersey
EDISON — Governor Phil Murphy today visited Edison to sign S3006/A4299 into law, establishing the crimes of home invasion burglary and residential burglary. The two new burglary classifications will raise penalties for crimes of burglary, reinforcing legal protections for New Jersey communities and ensuring that individuals who commit these crimes are held accountable.
“The safety and well-being of New Jerseyans is our Administration’s highest priority,” said Governor Murphy. “Today’s bipartisan legislation ensures that the penalties for burglary and home invasion reflect the severity of these crimes and deter individuals from entering a home illegally. We are grateful to the Legislature, our law enforcement community, local mayors, and community members for supporting our shared goal of keeping New Jersey residents safe.”
“Our home is our sanctuary, holding the things we value most and the people we love most. When that sanctity is violated and that feeling of security is shattered, it leaves us with an overwhelming feeling of helplessness and vulnerability,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “We have seen significant reductions in violent crime in New Jersey, and with the serious consequences established by this new law, Governor Murphy and the Legislature are taking another step in the effort to secure our homes and provide greater peace of mind to all New Jerseyans.”
“This new law elevating home invasion burglary to a first-degree crime and residential burglary to a second-degree crime is a powerful step toward ensuring the safety of New Jersey’s residents. By increasing the penalties for these serious offenses, we are sending a clear message to criminals that we will not tolerate such brazen acts that violate the sanctity of our homes. This legislation serves as a strong deterrent and reinforces our commitment to keeping our communities safe,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “We sincerely thank Governor Phil Murphy and the senators and assembly members who championed this important bill. Their leadership and dedication to public safety will help New Jerseyans feel more secure in their homes, knowing those who threaten their peace will face harsher consequences.”
Home invasion burglary refers to a person who enters a home to commit an offense and ultimately inflicts bodily injury or is armed with a deadly weapon, whether or not that weapon is used. Under the new law, home invasion burglary is a crime in the first degree. A crime of the first degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of 10 to 20 years, a fine of up to $200,000, or both.
Residential burglary refers to a person who enters a home to commit an offense. Under the new law, residential burglary is a crime in the second degree. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both.
Both classifications of burglary are subject to the “No Early Release Act,” which requires the convicted person to serve at least 85% of their incarceration term before becoming eligible for parole. Any person convicted of home invasion burglary or residential burglary may be denied a professional license from the Division of Consumer Affairs within the Department of Law and Public Safety.
Today’s legislation, which takes effect immediately, builds upon the Administration’s commitment to reducing crime and bolstering public safety. Over the past seven years, the Murphy Administration has taken a holistic approach to crime reduction, including tightening gun laws, investing in mental health resources, deploying new data collection technology, and increasing penalties for violators.
The primary sponsors of S3006/A4299 are Senators Anthony Bucco, Brian Stack, and Vin Gopal, and Assembly members Sterley Stanley, Robert Karabinchak, and Alexander “Avi” Schnall. The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Legislature, with a vote of 36-1 to pass the Senate and a unanimous 74-0 vote in the Assembly.
“New Jersey has consistently ranked as one of the safest states in the country, but many residents are rightfully concerned by the recent uptick in home break-ins and robberies,” said Congressman Frank Pallone. “I applaud the State Legislature for taking decisive action to address these concerns and thank Governor Murphy for pushing to get this important bill across the finish line. This new law is a commonsense measure that will hold home invaders accountable, provide peace of mind to New Jersey residents, and help law enforcement keep our communities safe.”
“With the Governor’s signature, New Jersey is sending a strong and clear message that individuals who burglarize homes or engage in other associated criminal activities will face severe consequences,” said Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco. “Now, law enforcement and prosecutors will have the necessary tools to combat the troubling wave of residential home burglaries spreading across the Garden State and ensure safety within our communities. After today, there should be no mistake that if you commit these crimes, you will do time.”
“Citizens have a right to feel safe in their own homes. Making stiffer penalties for burglaries of residences, especially by perpetrators who are also armed with a weapon, will make would-be burglars think twice before committing this very personal and invasive crime,” said Senator Brian Stack.
“Even the report of just one home invasion or burglary on a street or in a neighborhood can have a traumatic effect on those who live there,” said Senator Vin Gopal. “People should have a right to feel safe and secure in their own homes. By toughening the punishment for home invasion crimes, including in some cases length of sentencing, we hope to crack down on this practice, and make would-be burglars, car thieves or home invaders think twice before breaking into and entering someone’s home illegally.”
“As elected leaders we have a responsibility to not just ensure that our residents are safe, but also a responsibility to make sure they feel safe,” said Assemblyman Sterley Stanley. “Unfortunately, it has become clear that many communities throughout our great state do not feel safe due to what would seem to be a unique rise in home burglaries and other related crimes. This important piece of legislation seeks to address these concerns by creating two new charges that prosecutors will have at their disposal in order to hold those who break into homes accountable, while also allowing us to gather important data to better understand the challenges our communities are facing.”
“A person’s home should be their sanctuary, and this bill holds criminals accountable for targeting those personal spaces,” said Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak. “By specifying the definitions when it comes to residential burglary, we are not just addressing property crimes, we’re also protecting lives.”
“By clearly defining and separating these crimes, we can ensure that the legal system has the tools to adequately address the dangers posed by home invasion burglary and residential burglary,” said Assemblyman Alexander “Avi” Schnall. “With this bill, we address the unique threats posed by violent break-ins and ensure that those who commit such offenses face appropriate consequences.”
“I am honored to have worked with Governor Murphy and our State Legislature to pass this crucial bill into law,” said Edison Mayor Sam Joshi. “Home invasions and burglaries not only violate our sense of security, but also leave lasting emotional scars on victims. This law sends a strong message that these crimes will not be tolerated in our community.”
“As we and all suburban communities have grappled with increased vehicle thefts, I have been clear that home break-ins are unacceptable and those who commit crimes must be held accountable, minors or not. I appreciate Governor Murphy and the state legislature hearing us and responding with this bi-partisan bill,” said Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik.
“I’m honored to participate as the Governor signs this important legislation. This legislation is a beacon of hope for all New Jersey residents. There was a time when my family and I considered leaving the state due to rising concerns about safety,” said Manjit “Goldy” Batra, an Edison resident whose home was burglarized last year. “However, the commitment to strengthen penalties for these crimes reassures us that our voices are being heard. With this new law, we can expect better accountability for offenders, preventing those who are caught from returning to the streets so quickly. It’s time to reclaim our sense of security and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. This action sends a strong message that we will not stand for such crimes, and it empowers residents to feel safe in their own homes.”
“The Fraternal Order of Police New Jersey State Lodge proudly represents over 13,000 active and retired law enforcement officers throughout the State of New Jersey. The FOP strongly endorses A4299/S3006, the Home Invasion Burglary and Residential Burglary legislation’s passage into law. This legislation will enhance the protections afforded our citizens of this great state and we believe will deter criminal activity. This law will strengthen our ability to protect the people we serve and ensure those who commit such heinous acts are held accountable to fullest extent of the law. The FOP thanks the sponsors of this legislation, our legislative leadership for recognizing the importance of this legislation and to Governor Murphy for signing this legislation into law,” said Robert W. Fox, President of the Fraternal Order of Police – New Jersey State Lodge.
“When people don’t feel safe in their homes then public safety has broken down. This bill gives law enforcement the tools to prosecute anyone who would violate the sanctity and security of our residents. It tells criminals that there are real consequences for burglary and home invasion. We are proud to support this law,” said Peter Andreyev, President of the NJ State PBA.
“In the wake of the tragic death of Detective Sergeant Monica Mosley as a result of a violent home invasion, it is jolting the crisis level we are at when a trained and capable law enforcement officer is overcome in their own residence. We must continue to adapt and address these evolutions in criminal behavior in our great state through crucial and impactful public safety policy and legislation such as this Bill that will also send a powerful message and serve as a deterrent to these violent criminals,” said Wayne Blanchard, President of the State Troopers Fraternal Association.
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