Strangulation Now A Second-Degree Crime In New Jersey

WALL, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation last Tuesday which made assault by strangulation a second-degree crime punishable by up to ten years imprisonment and or a fine of up to $150,000.

This new law comes after the death of 24-year-old Yasemin Uyar of Rahway, who was allegedly strangled by her ex-boyfriend.

“The murder of Yasemin Uyar by a repeat domestic abuser was horrific and appalling,” Governor Murphy said in a statement.

“Research has shown that strangulation is often one of the strongest red flags for predicting future homicides of victims of domestic violence. This legislation recognizes the seriousness of strangulation assault and gives us the tools necessary to hold people accountable for their actions.”

The primary sponsors of the legislation were Senators M. Teresa Ruiz, Joseph Cryan, and Sandra Cunningham, and Assemblymembers Yvonne Lopez, Shanique Speight, and Aura Dunn.

“Almost half of all domestic violence homicide victims had previously been strangled by their partners, which unfortunately appears to be the case in the death of Yasemin Uyar. The action is a dangerous signal of escalating violence which leads, oftentimes, to death,” said Senator Ruiz. “Yet, prior to this law being enacted, many individuals charged with assault by strangulation were released back into society, putting their partners at risk. We have a responsibility to survivors to take these statistics seriously, to read these warning signs, and to implement measures to protect them - that is why this legislation is so important and why I am so grateful to see it signed into law.”

Under prior law, strangulation was a third-degree crime punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a $15,000 fine, or both.

“Strangulation is a highly personal and powerful form of control used by a domestic violence offender to silence their victim. A victim of domestic violence who survives a strangulation is seven times more likely to be killed by their abuser when compared to survivors who have not been strangled by their abusive partner. This legislation is a critical step toward holding dangerous offenders accountable and to reduce the risk of fatal and near-fatal domestic violence against survivors,” Nicole Morella, Director of Policy and Education at the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence, said in a statement.