STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3190

with Senate Floor Amendments

(Proposed by Senator DIEGNAN)

ADOPTED: JANUARY 30, 2025

      Senate Bill No. 3190 requires certain juveniles to appear before the court in the county where the incident giving rise to the delinquency complaint allegedly occurred.

      These Senate amendments require juveniles accused in a delinquency complaint of an offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime of the first through third degree under Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes to appear before the court in the county where the incident giving rise to the complaint allegedly occurred.  In addition, the amendments require juveniles accused in a delinquency complaint of an offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a fourth degree crime, a disorderly persons offense, or a petty disorderly persons offense to appear before the court in the county in which the juvenile is domiciled, unless the court finds good cause to retain venue in the county where the incident giving rise to the complaint allegedly occurred.

      Further, these Senate amendments require any objection to the transfer of venue to the county where the juvenile is domiciled to be made to the court in the county where the complaint was filed within five days of receiving the delinquency complaint and permit the prosecutor or the defense to file a motion for change of venue, with notice to the other party, to the Family Presiding Judge or designee in the county where the matter is currently venued.  In addition, the amendments require venue to be laid in the county where the incident giving rise to the complaint allegedly occurred if there are multiple defendants, either juvenile or adult.  Finally, these amendments remove language that requires the court to provide juveniles with reasonable transportation accommodations.