NJ S367

Juveniles aged 15 or older charged with motor vehicle theft or unlawful taking who have a prior adjudication for the same offense become eligible for waiver to adult criminal court under this New Jersey bill

The bill adds motor vehicle theft to the existing list of waivable offenses, which currently includes criminal homicide, carjacking, first degree robbery, aggravated sexual assault, and kidnapping

Using a juvenile (age 17 or younger) to commit automobile theft becomes a strict liability crime, removing the requirement that the adult "knowingly" employed the minor

Strict liability use of a juvenile in theft of an automobile is a second degree crime, punishable by 5 to 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $150,000, or both

The bill was pre-filed for the 2026 session and sponsored by Senators Douglas Steinhardt (District 23) and Anthony Bucco (District 25)