ASSEMBLY, No. 778

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

 

 

By Assemblywoman FARRAGHER

 

 

An Act concerning criminal trespass and amending N.J.S.2C:18-3.

 

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. N.J.S.2C:18-3 is amended to read as follows:

    2C:18-3.

    a. Unlicensed entry of structures. A person commits an offense if, knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or surreptitiously remains in any research facility structure, or separately secured or occupied portion thereof. An offense under this subsection is a crime of the fourth degree if it is committed in a school or on school property. The offense is a crime of the fourth degree if it is committed in a dwelling. An offense under this section is a crime of the fourth degree if it is committed in a research facility. Otherwise it is a disorderly persons offense.

    b. Defiant trespasser. A person commits a petty disorderly persons offense if, knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in any place as to which notice against trespass is given by:

    (1) Actual communication to the actor; or

    (2) Posting in a manner prescribed by law or reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders; or

    (3) Fencing or other enclosure manifestly designed to exclude intruders.

    c. Peering into windows or other openings of dwelling places. A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if, knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he peers into a window or other opening of a dwelling or other structure adapted for overnight accommodation for the purpose of invading the privacy of another person and under circumstances in which a reasonable person in the dwelling or other structure would not expect to be observed.

    d. Defenses. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that:

    (1) A structure involved in an offense under subsection a. was abandoned;

    (2) The structure was at the time open to members of the public and the actor complied with all lawful conditions imposed on access to or remaining in the structure; or

    (3) The actor reasonably believed that the owner of the structure, or other person empowered to license access thereto, would have licensed him to enter or remain, or, in the case of subsection c. of this section, to peer.

(cf: P.L.1995, c.20, s.4)

 

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

 

Classifies peering into a window or other opening of a dwelling for the purpose of invading the privacy of another as a crime of the fourth degree.