New Bill Would Require Anyone Arrested in New Jersey to Provide DNA Sample
Under current New Jersey law, only those convicted of a crime must give a DNA sample to the authorities. Under Assembly Bill A4134, anyone arrested on suspicion of a crime will have to provide a DNA sample, if the legislation is passed. According to NJ.com, individuals who are not convicted may petition a judge to have their DNA information removed from the database.
Proponents of the bill are convinced that getting these DNA samples and creating a database increases the likelihood of finding individuals who have committed a crime. Critics of the bills believe that it is a violation of the Fourth Amendment and that it only increases financial burdens on law enforcement departments that are already struggling in the midst of a budget crisis.
The bill also makes it a crime to refuse to submit to the DNA test. In fact, failure to submit a blood or biological sample could result in a fourth degree crime that is punishable by 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. The goal of this bill is to keep communities safer. It aims to make police officers' jobs easier. But when these samples are not collected properly or when evidence gets contaminated, it increases the likelihood of a false arrest and/or conviction.
Anyone who has been arrested or has been charged with a crime in New Jersey would be well-advised to contact an experienced Princeton criminal defense lawyer, who will fight for their rights and help them build a solid defense. The attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein provide free consultations to anyone facing criminal charges in New Jersey. Call us today at 609-240-0040 for a free and comprehensive consultation.
