NJ A4277

Reorganizes New Jersey's assault and aggravated assault statutes (N.J.S.2C:12-1) by moving specific victim-category provisions into separate sections while keeping the core assault definitions intact

Adds new protected categories for court staff, prosecutors, and public defenders, making simple assault against these individuals a third-degree crime if bodily injury results, otherwise a fourth-degree crime

Creates separate statutory sections for assault against specific victim groups including healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, first responders, and school personnel

Elevates assault against law enforcement officers to a second-degree crime when serious bodily injury occurs, with mandatory non-merger of convictions and ineligibility for pretrial intervention programs

Relocates assault by auto or vessel provisions into a standalone section (Section 2), maintaining existing penalties including enhanced charges for DUI-related assaults near schools