Advocates for criminal justice reform have long argued that, for many offenders, treatment and support are more effective and more just than simple punishment. Although the justice system is resistant to change, this idea has caught on, particularly regarding military...
In New Jersey, there are some important distinctions between juries in civil trials and those in criminal ones. In a civil trial (a lawsuit regarding something other than a criminal matter), there are typically six jurors that will decide the outcome, compared to 12...
Who gets to decide which technology law enforcement agencies can use in their efforts to investigate crimes and secure convictions? Unfortunately, they do. In the absence of explicit bans, use of investigative tech is largely unregulated. This is a problem, because...
A common legal defense against violent crime charges is to claim that the accused was acting in self-defense or attempting to protect others. While this is a legitimate legal strategy, there seem to be disparities in who is allowed to use it and how effective it is....
Most experts agree that America’s “war on drugs” has been an expensive failure. The costs are not limited to taxpayers, however. Countless Americans have received lengthy prison sentences for non-violent drug offenses. Marijuana, which is now legal or decriminalized...
A search of one’s belongings – by anyone – can feel incredibly invasive. You wouldn’t want someone rifling through your purse or backpack, nor would you be comfortable with someone looking around your home for whatever they might happen to find. But for many of us,...
The polygraph, or “lie detector” test, is a well-known piece of technology that most of us have seen in movies and television shows. But how often are these devices used in the “real world?” And are they reliable, or just another example of junk science? Three...
Whenever legislation is introduced, it is critical for lawmakers to consider the unintended consequences as well as the intended ones. Nearly every law has drawbacks, sometimes major ones, and well-intentioned legislators often fail to consider how their proposals...
In early 2021, New Jersey enacted a law legalizing possession of small amounts of recreational marijuana. In doing so, it joined a growing list of states choosing to decriminalize or legalize marijuana use, even as the drug remains illegal under federal law. Those...
If you are charged with driving while intoxicated in New Jersey, you may face a range of consequences. In addition to any legal sanctions that you might be subject to, a drunk driving conviction may also cause a significant interruption to your career. There are many...