New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill on Friday that will hand harsher prison time to teenagers found guilty of committing home invasions or armed burglaries.
The new law makes home invasion burglary — in which an offender inflicts bodily injury or is armed with a deadly weapon — a first-degree offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or fines of up to $200,000. It applies to teens 15 years or older and takes effect immediately.
The bipartisan bill signed by the Democratic governor also makes residential burglary — in which an unarmed offender enters a home but does not cause physical harm — a crime in the second degree. That carries a maximum 10-year sentence, a fine of up to $150,000, or both.
“This law sends a strong message that these crimes will not be tolerated in our community,” the governor said this week.
The tough legislation faced opposition from the ACLU, which believes strict penalties will “further fuel mass incarceration and funnel young people into the criminal legal system” rather than solving problems.
Those convicted of either offense will have to serve 85% of their term before being eligible for parole.
The signing of the bill comes just days after Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley was killed in her Bridgeton home during a strong-arm invasion. The 51-year-old victim worked with New Jersey prosecutors in Cumberland County.
Police said they interviewed a possible suspect who was being treated for a gunshot wound Wednesday, but haven’t officially named any suspects.
Mosley will be buried Saturday at Fernwood Memorial Park in Hopewell Township.
