In response to the increase in the number of teenagers that have committed suffering as a result of online harassment and bullying, several states have passed laws criminalizing cyber-harassment, cyber-bullying, and cyber-stalking. New Jersey has long advocated for anti-bullying and anti-harassment laws. In fact, New Jersey passed the State’s first law that criminalizes cyber-harassment to address this increasing problem. The law passed both houses of the New Jersey legislatu

On July 18, 2014, the U.S. Sentencing Commission unanimously decided to make retroactive an earlier change that lowered the offense levels for drug crimes by two levels. What this translates to is that roughly 50,000 drug offenders in federal prison will be eligible to have their cases reviewed by a judge for a sentence reduction. As a result, the Federal Bureau of Prisons has stated that it will immediately begin to notify inmates of their eligibility to apply for a sentence

Even other lawyers have a difficult time understanding what exactly intellectual property law covers. There are three main categories that fall under the umbrella of intellectual property: patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Trade secrets are also encompassed within the area of intellectual property.

According to the Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) 3 to 5 percent of the roughly 30,000 monthly applicants that apply for the Pre-Check or Global Entry programs are rejected for various reasons. Many times, these applicants are rejected due to inaccurate or faulty information that surfaces during criminal background checks.

Clients often ask whether it is possible to be released early from probation. New Jersey law does give judges the authority to release defendants from probation early. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:45-2, the court, on application of a probation officer or of the defendant, or on its own motion may discharge a defendant from probation at any time.

Individuals looking for employment in New Jersey are often concerned about whether and when potential employers can use inquire into their criminal record during the application process. While New Jersey’s Opportunity to Compete (or “Ban the Box”) law prohibits employers from inquiring into an applicant’s background during the initial stages of the application process, nothing – besides an expungement – will prevent an employer from inquiring into your criminal background.

On January 1, 2017, substantial changes to the processing of criminal cases in New Jersey will go into effect. Although the changes made under New Jersey’s criminal law reform will affect almost all aspects of a New Jersey criminal case, the focus in particular will be on the following two areas of criminal law in New Jersey: (1) pretrial release and bail; and (2) the right to a speedy trial.

Often times, victims of domestic violence flee their home state in order to escape the violence of their alleged perpetrators. In these instances, the State of New Jersey does protect victims of domestic violence who come to New Jersey looking for refuge from their alleged abusers.

If you are the defendant in a restraining order case who is being charged with harassment, it is vital that you contact an experienced New Jersey restraining order attorney to discuss your case. The criminal charge of harassment is quite broad and nature and, as a result, is often alleged by the plaintiffs in restraining order contexts.

A very competent and thorough NY attorney recently approached us with an interesting question. He had a client on the N.J. Registry and on the NY Registry for Megan Law Sex Offenses. He wanted to apply in NY to have his risk level reduced from 2 down to 1 however, thought it would be helpful to have him first removed from the NJ Registry as more then 15 years had passed.

Identity Theft is typically thought of in terms of a thief using your social security number to obtain credit cards and run up bills in your name. But what if someone uses your stolen identity to commit a criminal offense or a crime? In this all-too-common scenario a friend, relative, or complete stranger gives your name to the police when they are arrested and may even have false identification documents to pass themselves off as you.

New Jersey has some of the toughest gun laws in the country, which have undergone a number of overhauls since Gov. Phil Murphy took the helm. The most recent one to go into effect, on December 1, 2020, is aimed at protecting family members who are at risk from an individual suffering from mental health issues.

As you know COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has affected almost every facet of our lives at this point. The Court System in New Jersey is no different. We will keep all of our clients up to date on court closings and other scheduling issues or concerns. 

Our office was contacted by a client who had applied for TSA Pre-Check and had been denied. The client is a construction and real estate professional who has had a very successful career. His job involves significant travel to check on various projects and without TSA Pre-Check he was spending way too much time in security lines. TSA denied our client’s petition because of a criminal offense that occurred over thirty (30 years old).