TRENTON, N.J. – On Monday, New Jersey Assemblyman Alex Sauickie advanced a bill proposing increased penalties for assaults on law enforcement officers. The proposed legislation, A4697, cleared the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.
The new law would categorize assaults on law enforcement as a second-degree crime, carrying a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $150,000. The legislation would prohibit pleas to lesser charges. Presently, these types of assaults that result in bodily harm are third-degree crimes, with a maximum sentence of five years and $15,000 fines.
Additionally, the legislation would mandate those who assault officers using body fluids to undergo testing for communicable diseases. Assault victims would be entitled to the test results. Sauickie (R-Ocean) mentioned the increasing risk of diseases to law enforcement officers through biting and spitting attacks.