Auto theft-related deaths or injuries now qualify as felony murder, aggravated manslaughter, or aggravated assault in New Jersey.

New Jersey S366 amends the state's criminal code to include auto theft among the felonies that trigger the felony murder rule, aggravated manslaughter, and aggravated assault statutes. Under the bill, if death or bodily injury occurs during the commission of auto theft, the perpetrator can be charged with felony murder, which is a first-degree crime. Aggravated manslaughter, a first-degree crime, now includes death occurring during auto theft, whether or not the perpetrator was attempting to flee from law enforcement.

Auto theft-related deaths or injuries now qualify as felony murder, aggravated manslaughter, or aggravated assault in New Jersey.

New Jersey S366 amends the state's criminal code to include auto theft among the felonies that trigger the felony murder rule, aggravated manslaughter, and aggravated assault statutes. Under the bill, if death or bodily injury occurs during the commission of auto theft, the perpetrator can be charged with felony murder, which is a first-degree crime. Aggravated manslaughter, a first-degree crime, now includes death occurring during auto theft, whether or not the perpetrator was attempting to flee from law enforcement.