Being arrested for any reason can be a worrying time for people in New Jersey whether it is an allegation of drunk driving, a form of theft, violence or drugs. This is particularly true for juveniles.
A mistake people often make when they find themselves in these situations is not knowing the severity of the alleged criminal act and the potential penalties. Even when there is a general idea as to the consequences, it is wise to keep track of potential changes to the law that are being discussed and pursued by legislators.
A recent bill that is being considered would worsen the level of crime and the accompanying penalties for burglary. The changes from what the law says currently and what it would say if the bill becomes law could impact people facing these charges. It would also be a key factor in the type of criminal defense tactics that are used.
New bill’s objective is to preclude recidivism
To try and reduce the incidence of repeat offenses, a bill would raise the stakes of burglary. It is currently a third-degree crime. If the person is armed or issues a threat of bodily harm, it becomes a second-degree crime. The bill would change that to a second-degree crime for the act of burglary and a first-degree crime for the threat. This would make the penalties significantly more extensive with incarceration and fines.
The catalyst for this bill and its stated focus on juveniles stems from two teens who stole an automobile and had committed other crimes in the past. Law enforcement recounted other events in which juveniles had committed auto theft and similar infractions. The current laws did not allow them to be detained. The new bill, if it passes, would change that.
New laws can alter a criminal defense strategy
As this bill suggests, changes to the law need to be understood when deciding on how to approach the criminal defense. Since juveniles are specifically mentioned as targets of this new law, having advice with experience in defending juveniles is especially vital. No matter the charges, there could be effective methods to reduce the charges or even have them dismissed. For juveniles or anyone else charged, this is crucial as they are trying to plan for the future.