Phil Murphy on Crime

	Phil Murphy on Crime

Reform penalties for technical parole violations

Right now, roughly 10 percent of our state's entire prison population consists of people who are being held behind bars for committing a technical parole violation, like missing a scheduled meeting or forgetting to report a move to a new town. Nobody should lose their freedom because of a technicality. For that reason, I am asking you all to send to my desk a bill that will reform penalties for technical parole violations. Just as many other states have already done. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to New Jersey legislature , Jan 14, 2025

Reject notion that compassion comes at the cost of vigilance

We must continue reforming a justice system that has failed Black and Brown communities for far too long. That means undoing the damage of the failed War on Drugs. And helping our neighbors who have been unjustly thrown behind bars get back on track. I will be announcing a new clemency initiative that will ensure we live up to our promise as the state for second chances. We need to reject the notion that compassion comes at the cost of vigilance. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the N.J. legislature , Jan 9, 2024

Top priority is tightening laws against car theft

Many of our communities are living amidst another persistent wave of car thefts. Over the past year, our administration has focused clearly on this problem. These steps are already helping to bring down the numbers of car thefts. We all know there's more we can do. In fact, three months ago, I stood alongside the legislative leaders from both houses to unveil a package to further tighten our laws against car theft. So, I ask you today to make passing these measures a top priority. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.J. legislature , Jan 10, 2023

Eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent crimes

We're making our justice system more transparent and fair not just for our sake, but to make New Jersey a national model for positive transformation in policing and ending racial inequities. I also remain committed to eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug and property crimes -- these reforms are long-overdue. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to New Jersey legislature , Jan 12, 2021

For-profit prison industry targets communities of color

Phil believes that the status quo in criminal justice has failed too many, and it is time to address the structural racism in our criminal justice system. For too long, special interests, like the for-profit prison industry, have driven criminal justice policies. We can no longer accept policies that disproportionately target communities of color.

Create a commission to comprehensively re-examine our criminal laws, including mandatory minimums;
Fully implement bail reform so no one sits in jail because they cannot afford to pay a fine;
Legalize marijuana so police can focus resources on violent crimes;
Expand re-entry services, so that the people coming out of prison have the support they need to return to productive lives; and
Expand the use of body cameras to promote transparency and accountability.

Source: 2017 N.J. gubernatorial campaign website, Murphy4NJ.com , Jun 6, 2017

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*Other governors on Crime:*			*Phil Murphy on other issues:*
*NJ Gubernatorial:* Doug Steinhardt Hirsh Singh *NJ Senatorial:* Andy Kim Cory Booker Curtis Bashaw George Helmy Hirsh Singh Rik Mehta Robert Menendez Stuart Meissner Tammy Murphy	*Gubernatorial races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019) Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021) Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025 Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025 Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]