Moriarty and Hutchison Bill Establishing Additional Penalties for Public Brawl Heads to Governor's Desk

TRENTON – As part of a greater effort to reduce youth-driven disorderly conduct and public brawls in New Jersey, the Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senator Paul Moriarty and Senator Paul Sarlo that would impose consequences on the parents and legal guardians who have displayed a willful disregard for the supervision and control of minors involved in public brawls or other disorderly conduct. The bill, S-3508, will now be sent to the Governor’s office.

“New Jersey has seen major disruptions to community events in recent years, from unruly crowds to public brawls,” said Senator Moriarty (D-Atlantic/Camden/Gloucester). “The majority of these incidents are driven by youth, and recent legislation has made significant strides to hold perpetrators accountable and to generally put a stop to disruptive behavior. However, it’s important that we look at the whole picture to see the root causes of this behavior, part of which may be clear neglect and lack of supervision by guardians of the youth who commit these crimes. This bill works to hold neglectful parents and legal guardians accountable, as well, so that these incredibly harmful brawls never happen again.”

“As lawmakers, we must do everything we can to prevent brawls and disorderly conduct from disrupting the safety and security of our communities,” said Senator Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Parents and guardians have a responsibility to prevent the young people under their care from engaging in dangerous behavior that intimidates or threatens others. Knowing there are consequences for their actions can serve as a deterrent that protects others and teaches young people to behave responsibly.”

The bill would allow municipal judges to fine or charge parents and legal guardians with a petty disorderly or disorderly persons offense in the event that they displayed willful or wanton disregard in the exercise of supervision and control of a minor who committed disorderly conduct that resulted in property damage or a public brawl. 

If they are found guilty, a parent or a legal guardian could be subject to the following penalties:

1. A fine of $1,000 if the minor committed an act of disorderly conduct that resulted in property damage;

2. A conviction of petty disorderly persons offense if the minor committed an act of inciting a public brawl as a first offense; or 

3. A conviction of disorderly persons offense if the minor committed an act of inciting a public brawl as a second or subsequent offense. 

The bill would take effect immediately and would complement existing bills to put a stop to disruptive behavior that results in public brawls, property damage, and injuries.