Living in New Jersey can be very expensive, and sometimes the costs of residing in the garden state can become overwhelming. When past due debts begin to pile up, filing for bankruptcy may provide many with a way to get a fresh start on their finances. Unfortunately, as the law stands today, filing for bankruptcyRead More
News
A Guide for Demonstrators at ‘Black Lives Matter’ Protests
When people participate in protests, there is a risk of getting arrested. This can happen even if a person does nothing wrong. Still, a person who is exercising their Constitutional right to free expression and pubic assembly should not be punished with a criminal conviction. Those who fear they might be (or have been) arrestedRead More
Bankruptcy Considerations during Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic
Deciding whether or not it’s the right time to file for bankruptcy is a difficult decision in the best of times. The decision only becomes more difficult during these unprecedented times of pandemic and economic crisis. There are several things that need to be considered by anyone thinking of filing for bankruptcy while the CoronavirusRead More
Winter Warning: Cars Idling More Than 3 Minutes Can Be Ticketed
People are often warned of the dangers of idle hands. Idle cars, however, carry their own dangers—specifically, the danger of a ticket. With no end to winter in sight, New Jersey drivers looking to warm up their cars should be cautious about when and where they do so. Under N.J.A.C. 7:27-14,15, a person can beRead More
NJ Trades License Suspensions for IIDs for DUI Convictions
Starting in 2020, New Jersey will change the penalties for drivers convicted of DWI. The new law will reduce the length of a license suspension. However, drivers will be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on their vehicle. Under the old system, a driver could have his/her license suspended for as much asRead More
NJ Passes New Second Chance Laws
On Thursday, Dec. 19, NJ Gov. Phil Murphy signed two major pieces of legislation to reform New Jersey’s criminal justice system and give those convicted of past offenses an opportunity to start over. The bills help establish New Jersey’s expungement process as one of the most progressive in the nation. It also helps give individualsRead More
Florida Judge Allows Police to Search DNA Websites
More than 20 million people have uploaded DNA information to consumer websites such as Ancestry.com and 23andMe under the belief that these sites would keep the information private. However, police in Florida announced that they had been granted a warrant to search a DNA site for evidence related to an ongoing investigation, potentially setting aRead More
New Training Offers Prosecutors Ways Around New Bail Laws
New York State recently passed a series of powerful new laws reforming the bail and discovery process. Many district attorneys were dismayed at the rules, which take effect on Jan. 1, 2020. Critics, which include many police departments and DAs, argue the rules make it harder to bring suspects to justice. But a series of presentationsRead More
Sweeping Bail and Discovery Reform to Take Effect in NY Next Year
New York State lawmakers have passed a long-fought-for set of reforms to the criminal justice system. The sweeping package of laws, which take effect on Jan. 1, 2020, changes the courts’ system of bail and discovery and is part of an effort to ensure speedier and fairer trials. The changes include: The number of offensesRead More
Gov. Murphy Vetoes Marijuana Expungement Bill, But Offers Path Forward
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy vetoed a bill that would have made it easier for some people with marijuana-related convictions to clear their record. On Friday, August 23, Murphy announced that he rejected the plan, saying that the process was still too complicated. However, he offered suggestions on the type of expungement legislation he wasRead More