Most people know that if police show up at their home and want to come in, they typically have a right to say no unless they have a search warrant (with exceptions). When it comes to police officers’ right to search your car and seize items when they pull you over,...
Although New Jersey passed a law in 2021 that decriminalized the use of marijuana, many other controlled substances continue to be prohibited in the state. Possessing scheduled substances such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine is a crime in the state and can lead...
For a New Jersey officer to charge a driver with driving while intoxicated (DWI), the driver must show telltale signs of inebriation (i.e., slurred speech, inability to keep balance, etc.). The driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) levels must also exceed the .08%...
In legal terms, “assault” and “battery” mean very different things. An assault charge refers to threats of bodily harm but doesn’t require actual contact. Meanwhile, a battery charge refers explicitly to intentional or unwanted physical contact, even if the intent...
It is easy to discriminate against people with past criminal verdicts, especially regarding housing. Fortunately, the Fair Chance in Housing Act (FCHA) has provisions to minimize discrimination and give everyone equal housing opportunities. According to the FCHA,...
For most New Jersey residents, the holiday season means attending parties and spending time with family and friends. These events usually involve alcohol, which means more New Jersey cops are on the lookout for drunk drivers. Recently, the New Jersey Attorney General...
The term “juvenile delinquent” is used in New Jersey to describe people under the age of 18 who have committed a crime. Depending on the case, it can be heard in municipal court or in family court. The primary objective is for the juvenile to understand what they have...
Facing a criminal charge is serious no matter an individual’s age. However, when the youth is charged with a crime, the criminal process that follows is significantly different from when an adult is charged with the same crime. As such, when dealing with the juvenile...
An expungement is an important process for those with criminal charges to understand because it can potentially help with the burdens associated with them. The expungement process, also referred to as expunction, typically means that the court seals or erases an...
Although you should be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, the sad reality is that many police officers approach those who are suspected of drunk driving as if they’re guilty. As a result, many drivers are put in a position where they are trying...