From Playground Vandalism to Assault: NJ Parents Could Face Jail Under New Ordinance

Some New Jersey parents are applauding a tough new Gloucester Township law that holds moms and dads criminally liable for their children’s crimes. Passed after last summer’s Gloucester Township Day unraveled into chaos with hundreds of teens brawling and vandalizing a nearby supermarket, the “Minors and Parent Responsibility” ordinance allows for fines up to $2,000 and even 90 days in jail for parents whose kids are repeatedly convicted of offenses like assault, loitering, drug dealing, or vandalism. Supporters say it’s about forcing accountability and restoring order after years of rising juvenile arrests, while critics, including Moms for Liberty, argue it sets a dangerous precedent for parental rights. The debate has sparked statewide attention as New Jersey communities weigh where responsibility for unruly teens truly lies — with kids or their parents.