SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 775

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: MARCH 7, 1996

 

      The Senate Judiciary Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 775.

      N.J.S.2C:29-1 prohibits a wide range of conduct intended to impede or defeat the administration of justice or to obstruct other governmental functions. Language in N.J.S.2C:29-1 specifically exempts flight by a person charged with a crime and the refusal to submit to arrest from the activities criminalized. The bill would clarify that N.J.S.2C:29-1 is intended to prohibit flight when intended to impair or prevent the administration of justice. This bill would also clarify that N.J.S.2C:29-2 which prohibits resisting arrest includes flight for the purpose of preventing or attempting to prevent an arrest by a law enforcement officer.