NJ A3224

Creates a rebuttable presumption that defendants charged with motor vehicle theft under N.J.S.2C:20-2 must be detained pending trial, placing this offense alongside murder and life-imprisonment crimes for pretrial detention purposes

Imposes mandatory minimum prison sentences for motor vehicle theft and "joyriding" (unlawful taking of a means of conveyance): minimum term fixed at one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed by the court

Escalates penalties for repeat offenders: second conviction requires minimum of 30 months (third degree) or 9 months (fourth degree), whichever is greater than half the sentence

Third or subsequent convictions carry fixed minimum terms of 5 years for third-degree crimes and 18 months for fourth-degree crimes

Motor vehicle theft is currently a third-degree crime punishable by 3-5 years imprisonment and fines up to $15,000; this bill removes judicial discretion to impose non-incarceration sentences