Our Supreme Court recently considered whether the mere odor of marijuana coming from a vehicle during a traffic stop allows a search of the engine compartment and trunk. In State v. Cohen, decided earlier this year, law enforcement had information from a confidential informant that the driver was bringing guns…
Many defendants have either limited or no ability to speak English. Thus, the court will supply interpreters in those cases where defendants require such services so that they can understand and participate in the proceedings. Before COVID, live interpreter services were typically provided in court during any proceeding where they…
Many people who are subject to Megan’s Law and Community Supervision for Life (CSL) or Parole Supervision for Life (PSL) regularly contact our firm to ask about relief from the requirements and obligations of these overly burdensome laws. We file motions in all 21 New Jersey counties for clients seeking…
Our firm regularly represents clients seeking to be relieved of their Megan’s Law registration and Community Supervision for Life (CSL) or Parole Supervision for Life (PSL) obligations. We therefore track the latest developments in this area of law, and report regularly on them to individuals who want to terminate these…
As stated in previous blog posts, our firm tracks new court decisions regarding statements to law enforcement and Miranda warnings. Generally speaking, the only response to questioning by law enforcement officers during an interrogation should be “I want a lawyer”, which should bring all questioning to an immediate end. Experience…
Criminal attorneys who practice in both federal and state court regularly experience the differences between the two systems. In the federal system, hearings are scheduled by specific date and time. In other words, the attorneys receive dates and times from the court staff telling them when they are to appear…
Justice Clarence Thomas is in the news again. I don’t know if there has ever been a United States Supreme Court justice that has had so much media focus. And, as is usually the case with Justice Thomas, it’s negative. Harlan Crow is a Texas real estate billionaire. He likes…
Recent media have contained numerous stories about Tyre Nichols, who was savagely beaten to death by Memphis police officers. Over the last several years, police misconduct has received considerable media attention, as it should. However, while police misconduct obviously continues to be a significant criminal justice problem, recent events in…
A recent decision of the Superior Court’s Appellate Division discussed the grading of shoplifting offenses. This is important for anyone who has been charged with shoplifting, which is one of the more common offenses heard in New Jersey’s municipal courts. As shoplifting lawyers in New Jersey, we closely track decisions…
We are New Jersey parole violation attorneys who represent many parolees charged with violating the terms and conditions of their parole. The violation process can be very confusing and intimidating, particularly to a parolee facing their first violation. As such, we thought it would be helpful to parolees and their…