1

Morristown, NJ – Law enforcement in Morris County is cracking down on home invasions by implementing a new law. The decision follows an increase in residential burglaries where criminals have escalated from stealing cars to invading homes, often while residents are present.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed the bipartisan bill, S-3006, on Friday with Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and Sheriff James Gannon. The legislation introduces two new classifications for burglary offences: home invasion and residential burglary. These classifications come with severe penalties under the No Parole Act, where offenders must serve at least 85 percent of their sentence before being eligible for parole.

Burglary by home invasion, now a first-degree felony, involves entering a residence with the intent to commit a crime while causing bodily harm or carrying a weapon. Residential burglary, classified as a second-degree felony, includes unlawful entry with the intent to commit a felony. Juveniles involved in these crimes could be tried as adults if they possess firearms during the crimes.

Attorney Carroll pointed out that the new law discourages the involvement of minors in criminal activity and allows law enforcement to detain suspects pending trial. Sheriff Gannon highlighted high impact burglaries