Recent Blog Posts
New York Council Passes Significant Uber & Lyft Restrictions & Launches Voter Registration Efforts In Jails
During the month of August, a number of important initiatives that affect New Yorkers’ civil rights moved forward, as we discuss in detail below: Increasing Voter Registration for Inmates On August 7, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a new voter registration drive for the city’s correctional facilities, which will allow inmates… Read More »
Crackdown On Drugged Driving In New Jersey & Prison Conditions Coming
A number of important developments concerning criminal defense, justice, and penalties occurred in New Jersey this month (August), as we discuss in detail below: Prison Reform Addressed In New Jersey This Month On August 9, a number of governors and state attorneys met with President Trump in New Jersey to discuss prison reform at… Read More »
Pope Francis Declares Death Penalty Unacceptable In All Cases
In an announcement that could affect the use of the death penalty throughout the U.S. and elsewhere in the world, in early August, Pope Francis declared that the death penalty is always wrong, regardless of the circumstances of a case. He also officially altered this in the “Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church,” the… Read More »
Important Legal Updates For New Jersey: Summer 2018
New Jersey Makes Bold Move to Adjourn All Marijuana-Related Cases On July 24, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal made an announcement instructing all municipal prosecutors to adjourn any marijuana-related cases until September 4 or later in order to coincide with the New Jersey State Senate’s plan to consider bill legalizing marijuana. This is… Read More »
New Report Sheds Alarming Light On Increasing Use Of Guilty Pleas & Decreasing Jury Trials
According to a new report published by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, jury trials have been decreasing significantly to the point where they now occur in fewer than three percent of all state and federal criminal cases. This has raised a number of criminal justice-related concerns, as jury trials are ever-increasingly being… Read More »
New Jersey Man Charged With 30 Animal Cruelty Offenses Demonstrates Seriousness Of Crimes
In July, a New Jersey man found living with more than 40 dogs in unsanitary, inhumane conditions was charged with more than 30 criminal offenses, including third-degree animal cruelty, fourth-degree animal abuse, and failure to provide necessary care to an animal. Reportedly, the dogs were locked inside the home for an unknown amount of… Read More »
In Spite Of New Record Sealing Law, Many In New York Still Have Criminal Records Unsealed
On July 4, the New York Times covered an important story about “expungement” (or, rather, record sealing) in states like New York, and how so few have been able to have their records sealed in spite of the new law that went into effect in October 2017. This law allows anyone with a conviction… Read More »
Can PTSD Lead To Violent Criminal Behavior?
We’ve previously addressed the link between brain trauma and violent, criminal behavior: It is an increasingly important topic in the field of criminal defense, as more and more research demonstrates that brain trauma can influence behavior and even lead to people committing crimes, in some circumstances. This is especially important when it comes to… Read More »
Did The Biggest Federal Opioid And Health Care Sting In New Jersey Involve Entrapment?
During the week of June 28th, eight people in New Jersey were arrested in what officials have called the “largest health care fraud and opioid enforcement action ever taken by the Justice Department.” Police reportedly relied on confidential informants and undercover officers to infiltrate the alleged drug ring, making at least eight controlled purchases… Read More »
The “Gay Or Trans Panic Defense” Could Be On The Way Out
It is a little-known fact that, today, anyone charged with assault or murder can argue that their charges should be reduced because they were simply reacting to their victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation in all but three states (California, Illinois, and Rhode Island). This criminal defense is known as the “gay or trans… Read More »
