NJ S1277

Amends N.J.S.2C:1-3 to change the standard for establishing New Jersey's jurisdiction in homicide cases from a permissive inference to a rebuttable presumption when a victim's body is found within the state

Under current law, if a homicide victim's body is found in New Jersey, a jury "may infer" the homicide occurred there; the bill changes this so the jury "must presume" the homicide occurred there unless rebutted by other evidence

The rebuttable presumption shifts the evidentiary burden, requiring the defense to present evidence disputing that the homicide took place in New Jersey rather than leaving it as an optional conclusion for the jury

Sponsored by Senator Linda R. Greenstein (District 14 - Mercer and Middlesex) and pre-filed for introduction in the 2026 legislative session

Takes effect immediately upon enactment