A Michigan woman has been allowed to advance a lawsuit after a U.S. court ruled that giving a police officer the middle finger is a form of free speech. It’s not the first time “flipping the bird” has been debated by judges in the U.S. While this case certainly reaffirms one’s right to be rudeRead More
Businesses operating in New York City must alter or eliminate dress codes or other policies that restrict employees based on natural or cultural hairstyles. In February 2019, the NYC Commission on Human Rights banned the practice of requiring staff to straighten, trim, or wear their hair in any other untreated hair style, such as locs,Read More
For the next three weeks, drivers in New Jersey had best stay focused on the road. Starting Monday, April 1, all 207 of New Jersey police departments will be sending out additional patrols to crack down on texting while driving and other traffic infractions. The three-week “U Text. U Drive. U Pay.” campaign runs throughRead More
After months of back-and-forth over marijuana legalization legislation, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and leaders in the NJ legislature claim to have reached a broad agreement. In a press release on March 12, 2019, the governor, alongside Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and others announced the text of a bill to legalizeRead More
The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits “unreasonable searches and seizures” by police and other government agencies. When police have a warrant, they can enter a person’s home without the homeowner’s consent, or even if he/she isn’t home (more on that later). However, there are many circumstances when an officer cannot enter a homeRead More
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) and driving under the influence (DUI) are often used interchangeably to describe instances of drunk driving or driving while high on drugs. For drivers pulled over in New Jersey, is there a difference between being charged with DWI and DUI? In short, no. While some states use the terms DWI andRead More
As of January 16, 2019, visitors to New Jersey’s many public parks—including beaches—will no longer be permitted to smoke. The new smoking ban covers cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vape pens and e-cigs, as well as smokeless tobacco products. The ban does not criminalize smoking–violators will be charged with a municipal offense. A conviction means facing aRead More
A recent ruling by the NJ Supreme Court renders anyone who successfully completes drug court in New Jersey potentially eligible for an immediate expungement of their minor criminal offenses. The decision clarifies a 2016 law that offers a clean slate to non-violent former drug addicts who show a desire and effort to improve their lives.Read More
A bill sitting in a New Jersey State Assembly committee would prohibit individuals from legally changing their name if they were convicted of certain crimes. It would also require a background check for anyone who applied to have their name changed. Bill A2486 would require NJ state police to cross reference the name and fingerprintsRead More
New Jersey is poised to join 10 other states and D.C. in legalizing marijuana. Part of the bill that recently cleared both senate and legislature committees includes language on how to get marijuana offenses expunged once the substance has become legal. However, bills often undergo changes—sometimes minor sometimes major—between clearing committee and whenever being signedRead More
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