SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 697

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: MARCH 10, 1997

 

      The Senate Judiciary Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 697 (1R).

      Presently resisting arrest under N.J.S.2C:29-2 is graded as a disorderly persons offense. This bill would upgrade resisting arrest to a crime of the fourth degree if the actor, by flight, prevents or attempts to prevent an arrest. The bill would also upgrade resisting arrest to a crime of the third degree if the actor uses or threatens to use physical force or violence against a law enforcement officer or another person or uses any other means to create a substantial risk of causing physical injury to an officer or another person.

      The bill would amend N.J.S.2C:29-1 (obstructing the administration of law or other governmental functions) to add flight when intended to impair or prevent the administration of justice to activities prohibited by N.J.S. 2C:29-1.