The "New Jersey Self-Defense Law." (A134)
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This proposed bill seems to be right up our alley.
Quote:
This bill, the "New Jersey Self-Defense Law," authorizes a person to use force, including deadly force, against an intruder or attacker in a dwelling, residence or occupied vehicle in those instances where the actor reasonably fears imminent peril of death or serious bodily harm.
The bill sets forth the circumstances under which a person is presumed to have a reasonable fear of imminent period of death or serious bodily harm. Those circumstance include instances where a person: (1) is in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering a dwelling, residence or occupied vehicle; (2) has unlawfully and forcibly entered a dwelling, residence or occupied vehicle; or (3) has removed, or is attempting to remove, another against that person's will from a dwelling, residence or occupied vehicle; or (4) when the actor knows or reasonably believes that an unlawful and forcible entry is occurring or has occurred; or (5) when the actor knows or reasonably believes that an unlawful and forcible act is occurring or has occurred.
The bill clarifies that a person has no duty to retreat before justifiably using force in instances where that person is attacked, reasonably fears imminent peril of death or serious bodily harm to himself or to prevent death or serious bodily harm to another.
Finally, the bill provides immunity, both criminal and civil, for any person who is justified in using force. Under the bill, the court is authorized to award reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, compensation for loss of income and all expenses incurred by a defendant who is wrongly subject to a civil action.
1/10/2006 Introduced by Richard A. Merkt, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bi...500/134_I1.HTM
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bi...500/134_I1.PDF
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp
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