Sponsored by:
Senator PAUL D. MORIARTY
District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes penalties for certain conduct related to public brawl and disorderly conduct.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning public brawls and disorderly conduct and supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. A parent or legal guardian having legal custody of a juvenile shall be:
a. subject to a fine of $1,000, to be collected in a civil action by a summary proceeding under the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.), if the parent or legal guardian demonstrated willful or wanton disregard in the exercise of the supervision and control of the conduct of the juvenile such that the juvenile was adjudicated delinquent for engaging in improper behavior in violation of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:33-2, which resulted in property damage;
b. guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense if the parent or legal guardian demonstrated willful or wanton disregard in the exercise of the supervision and control of the conduct of the juvenile such that the juvenile was adjudicated delinquent for a first offense of inciting a public brawl in violation of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:33-1; and
c. guilty of a disorderly persons offense if the parent or legal guardian demonstrated willful or wanton disregard in the exercise of the supervision and control of the conduct of the juvenile and the juvenile was adjudicated delinquent for a second or subsequent offense of inciting a public brawl in violation of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:33-1.
2. This act shall take effect upon the enactment into law of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as Assembly Bill No. 4651 of 2024-2025).
STATEMENT
This bill provides that parents and legal guardians having legal custody of minors may be subject to a fine or guilty of a petty disorderly or disorderly persons offense for certain conduct related to willful or wanton disregard in the exercise of supervision and control of a minor.
Under the bill, a parent or legal guardian who demonstrated willful or wanton disregard in the exercise of the supervision and control of the conduct of a minor such that the minor was adjudicated delinquent for:
1) engaging in improper behavior in violation of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:33-2, which resulted in property damage, would be subject to a fine of $1,000;
2) a first offense of inciting a public brawl in violation of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:33-1, would be guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense; or
3) a second or subsequent offense of inciting a public brawl in violation of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:33-1, would be guilty of a disorderly persons offense.
A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000 or both. A petty disorderly persons offense is punishable by imprisonment of up to 30 days, a fine of up to $500, or both.