Press Releases
Girgenti Bill Targeting Gang Criminality Becomes Law
January 15, 2008
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Girgenti to create a tough, new “gang criminality” statute to authorize trying teenagers as adults; imposing, consecutive and mandatory sentences, and subjecting gang members to racketeering statutes used to prosecute organized crime, was signed into law this week.
“The level of violence experienced by communities from street gang thugs requires a swift and certain response,” said Senator John A. Girgenti. “It is proper for some juveniles to be tried as adults when the level of their violence against innocent victims requires incarceration.”
In addition, the bill, S-2940, will create another new offense of “promoting organized street crime” for those convicted of organizing, supervising or financing criminal gang activity ranging from murder to drug trafficking to sexual assault.
Penalties for promoting organized street crime also would be served consecutively to lesser, underlying offenses.
“These new penalties will provide law enforcement with the tools they need to respond to the violence of street gangs,” said Senator Girgenti. “Communities need to be protected, and that often means ensuring that offenders, especially the gang kingpins, are off the streets for the rest of their lives.”