Does prosecutorial discretion play a role in shaping New Jersey’s approach to criminal enforcement? The ambitions of Hudson County’s new chief prosecutor suggest it may. The official, Ester Suarez, is in charge of an office with a $20 million budget...
In recent posts, we’ve discussed the escalated punishment that can apply to repeat offenders. However, any type of felony history might present consequences in mounting an effective criminal defense. This is especially true when it comes to a prior conviction for...
Is technology changing the criminal justice system? When it comes to identity theft crimes, at least one New Jersey official would answer affirmatively. The official characterizes this type of crime as the fastest growing in the country. The official was...
Shoplifting laws in New Jersey factor the value of the allegedly stolen item into the punishment. Items of little value might only amount to a misdemeanor charge. More valuable items, however, may result in more serious charges. For example, if the stolen item is...
The repercussions of a criminal conviction can be far reaching. In a recent example, a New Jersey man discovered that the law does not permit him to own guns because of his wife's criminal charge relating to domestic violence allegations. The man sued to uphold...
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides a foundational right to Americans: the right to freedom from unreasonable search and seizure. The language of Amendment IV reads as follows: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,...
Although an arrest can be intimidating, it’s important for anyone facing this situation to remember that there is a criminal procedure that must be followed. Said another way, there are multiple steps in the criminal process in New Jersey, and a favorable...
With the revelations about just how broad and deep government surveillance appears to be in the United States, you may wonder if the right to privacy has simply disappeared. Well, it hasn't disappeared in New Jersey -- at least, not yet. As you may already know, the...
While it is not uncommon for someone to end up facing burglary and theft charges, it is important to remember that in New Jersey these are both two completely different charges. Each comes with its own set of potential consequences, including fines and prison time. To...
Throughout our posts, we have rarely touched on cyber-crimes; criminal charges that stem from computer transactions. Cyber crimes encompass identity theft, corporate espionage, child pornography and even terroristic threats. One of the growing issues with regard to...
