Tag Archives: New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney
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 »
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 »
A Close Look At The Issue Of False Confessions
Every day, defendants plead guilty to crimes they did not commit; all over the country. This is often done in order to “get a deal”; public defenders making deals with prosecutors and their clients for lighter sentences or some other form of consideration. Thinking about how many of these could involve untrue confessions is… Read More »
New Jersey Legislation Permitting 218 Marijuana Dispensaries & Banning Child Marriage Moves
During the month of June, the New Jersey legislature moved forward on some key issues, including barring individuals under the age of 18 from getting married and opening the state to a number of legal marijuana dispensaries. Below, we discuss these changes in greater detail: New Jersey Steps Closer To Banning Child Marriages On… Read More »
New Jersey Supreme Court Bars Retroactive Application Of Megan’s Law Amendment
On May 30th, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that an amendment to Megan’s Law enhancing penalties for sex offenders who violate parole requirements was unenforceable and violated both state and federal constitutions. In doing so, the court vacated the convicts’ third-degree convictions for parole violations after four offenders had committed minor violations of… Read More »
Should Prisoners Have A Right To DNA Testing?
The story of Kevin Cooper—who is currently sitting on death row, and demanding DNA testing to prove his innocence—has captured news headlines of late, especially after Nicholas Kristof—a columnist for The New York Times—published an opinion column suggesting that Cooper was framed for the murder he stands convicted of. The case not only involves… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Decides Whether Attorneys Can Override Criminal Defendants’ Wishes
On May 14th, the U.S. Supreme Court decided a very important case addressing the issue of whether a criminal defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to assistance of counsel is violated if their attorney concedes their guilt over their express objection. Ultimately, the majority determined that the client—not the attorney—is at the center of every criminal… Read More »
