There are many myths and misconceptions about what it takes to be convicted of burglary. Some people think that as long as they don't break into a home or business, they can't be charged with burglary. Others believe that any theft from a building, no matter how it's...
Personalized Attention With An Eye For The Details
3 mistakes police make at DUI stops
Getting charged for a DUI in New Jersey can be intimidating. Even people who are innocent sometimes feel pressured to take a plea deal. However, the more you know about your legal rights, the better equipped you will be to defend your case. Police must act lawfully...
Court rules juvenile crimes count in three strikes law
In 1995, New Jersey passed a "three strikes" law mandating a life sentence to defendants who are repeatedly convicted of certain violent crimes. According to a February 2022 ruling by the state's Supreme Court, crimes committed by juveniles can be counted as "strikes"...
The police and bias
All professionals make mistakes, but when a police officer commits an error, the consequences could take someone's freedom away. A person frightened after an arrest on false charges could make an equally false confession, leading to jail time. Or, a civil lawsuit for...
The shortsightedness of eyewitness testimony
It has been said that the eyes don't lie, but when it comes to eyewitness testimony in New Jersey, the outcome is not always crystal clear. When eyewitnesses are asked to choose suspects from a criminal lineup, there are factors other than their ability to recall...
Challenging a breath test
The Breathalyzer test that is administered after an arrest for suspicion of DUI is not an infallible measurement. Many New Jersey residents who are stopped under suspicion of DUI do not realize that even the machine viability can be contested in court. And in...
New Jersey plea agreement limitations
Negotiating a plea agreement with a New Jersey prosecutor is not a simple process. There are many factors that can weigh in such as concerns of victims in serious person-to-person crimes or a DUI charge. Details matter in each criminal case because of the theory that...
Crimes of moral turpitude may lead to visa denial or deportation
In New Jersey, crimes of moral turpitude — also known as CMITs — may affect your immigration status and visa procurement process. However, not all offenses are treated equally. The nature of the crime and when you committed it may weigh heavily in negotiations. What...
Can the police lie to a teenage suspect?
Many adults have a difficult time dealing with police interrogation, and teens arrested and brought into an interrogation room in New Jersey maybe even be less prepared to deal with questioning. In addition to lacking life experience, a young person may be completely...
Why does a Supreme Court ruling affect home searches?
The police must follow the law when performing a search and arrest. New Jersey state law, in turn, must adhere to the United States Constitution's protections against illegal searches and seizures. The Supreme Court's unanimous decision regarding the Fourth Amendment...