Month: 2020
Finding a job after being released from prison
Facing charges of crime is enough for many people to give up on any hope of living a productive and successful life. However, just because a person commits a crime, does not mean their mistakes have to dictate the outcome of their life. Upon their release from prison, many people...
What are the penalties for multiple DUIs in New Jersey?
In 2019, New Jersey updated its laws governing the penalties for driving under the influence (DUI). The state’s new statutes prioritize safety and rehabilitation by mandating the installation of ignition interlock devices on offenders’ vehicles. Furthermore, these laws have decreased the length of sentences and license suspensions for lower-level offenses....
Your rights when confronted by the police
Even with setting aside the current pandemic, we are enduring a very turbulent time in our country as police and race relations sit atop a seemingly never-ending list of controversial and debated subjects across political, cultural and social aisles. While law enforcement officers swear to abide by a code of...
Covid-19 causes a surge in domestic violence
The year 2020 has been one of the most stressful on record. The combination of the pandemic, loss of work, sheltering at home, isolation, and even the ongoing political dialogue all add to it, pushing some beyond the breaking point. One outgrowth of that stress has been the increasing number...
Use illegal searches to your advantage when facing drug charges
It happens on a daily basis; an individual is driving when all of a sudden, they see flashing lights in their rear-view mirror. Their heart pounds. Their palms sweat. And before they know it, their car is being searched and they are being accused of a crime, such as a...
Challenging an Assault Charge
Have you gotten into a fight lately? If so, then you might have found yourself coming face-to-face with assault charges. These types of charges can be quite serious, resulting in incarceration upon conviction. Additionally, an assault charge on your criminal record can affect you for years to come by making...
State Supreme Court just made it easier to search cell phones
We have come to rely on our cellphones as our primary mode of communication and so much more. From accessing the internet to finding a gas station to paying for goods and services, there is more personal data stored on those convenient handheld devices than anything else we own. The...
Jury trials to resume in September
Both criminal and civil trials were suspended here in New Jersey since the onset of the pandemic. Now the Supreme Court announced that trials would begin again in September. Jury selection will be a combination of in-person proceedings as well as remote. The hearings will be in-person with all social...
Six bills target mandatory minimum sentencing in NJ
Lawmakers at the state and federal level have revisited mandatory minimum sentencing in recent years, often focusing on those that apply to non-violent crimes. Now lawmakers introduced six more bills that seek to implement the recommendations made by a bipartisan Criminal Sentence and Disposition Commission chaired by former New Jersey...
Be aware of the ramifications of domestic violence allegations
Almost everyone gets into a verbal altercation at some point in their life. Most of the time, these disputes fizzle out with nothing more than some feelings of anger and hurt emotions. Then, life goes on. But this isn’t always the case. In fact, some disputes turn physical in nature...
New Jersey man convicted of driving while intoxicated, but he wasn’t driving
Everyone knows that DUI stands for “driving while intoxicated.” In other words, you can drive, you can drink alcohol, but you cannot drive after drinking alcohol. But a recent decision by the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, tells us not to take the “driving” part of DUI so literally....
What are your rights during a traffic stop?
Whether you are commuting to work or heading home after a get-together with friends, seeing the flashing lights of a police cruiser can be a stressful situation. Why are they pulling you over? Will you be treated fairly? What are your rights when you are stopped by the police? You...
Defending domestic assault charges
Arguments with a loved one can be extremely frustrating; they know just how to push your buttons. The angrier you become, the less you consider the impact of the words you say and the actions you take. If you lash out and physically assault your partner, you may be subject...
Gun purchases spike during the COVID-19 pandemic
During stressful and uncertain times, people often turn to weapons for protection. Guns make them feel safe. As the coronavirus continues to affect the lives of people around the world, more and more people are purchasing firearms, ammunition and accessories. Although they were not initially deemed essential, on March 16,...
New Jersey’s new DUI law offers some give and take
Drunk driving is a serious traffic offense with major ramifications that can affect your ability to work, socialize and manage family activities. New Jersey law has become stricter and more forgiving in how authorities enforce driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). This could impact when you might be able...