Aggregated News
TRENTON — People convicted of many disorderly persons offenses in New Jersey will have their DNA added to law enforcement databases under a bill signed by Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday.
The new law expands the state's database, which currently includes DNA samples from those convicted of violent crimes such as rape and manslaughter.
State Sen. Nicholas Sacco (D-Hudson), one of the bill's primary sponsors, said the law would reduce crime and possibly help exonerate the innocent by enlarging the pool of DNA profiles available to law enforcement.
But critics worry its passage will lead to further expansion of government collection of private citizens' DNA.
The bill signed by Christie on Tuesday (S393) adds indictable disorderly persons offenses to the list of crimes that require a DNA sample be added to the State Police database upon conviction.
Those offenses would include crimes for which a person is fingerprinted upon booking, such as domestic assault, prostitution and certain drug crimes. The law specifically excludes shoplifting and marijuana offenses from the DNA pool.
The current law also allows...