FISCAL NOTE TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2116

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: AUGUST 23, 1996

      Assembly Bill No. 2116 of 1996 increases the criminal and motor vehicle penalties imposed for defacing, injuring or removing an official sign or signal.

      The bill provides that a person who defaces, injures or removes an official traffic sign or signal, but does not cause a substantial interruption or impairment of transportation, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. The penalty for a fourth degree crime is a fine of up to $7,500, a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, or both. The bill also increases the fine imposed under the motor vehicle code for defacing, injuring or removing an official traffic sign or signal from at least $100, but not more than $200 to at least $200, but not more than $500.

      The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) states that in 1995 there were 38 convictions for criminal mischief in the fourth degree. Because the AOC does not collect data on traffic sign and signal vandalization, however, it is unable to project the number of convictions that would occur as a result of this legislation or the amount of revenue to be generated.

      The Department of Corrections states that due to the lack of available data it cannot accurately project the fiscal impact of this bill. However, because fourth degree crimes carry a presumption of non-incarceration, and because the term of incarceration for those imprisoned would be up to eighteen months, the department notes that any terms served would be served at the county level. As a result, the cost to the department would be negligible.

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) concurs.

This fiscal note has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.