Riding the Pine

Since March 2020, State courts have held a total of 12 criminal trials. According to the Office of the Public Defender, there are more than 5,000 state inmates are awaiting trial. So what impact has the COVID-19 pandemic had on the suspension of in-person criminal jury trials for defendants who h...

In a news release by the New Jersey Judiciary on February 3, 2021, the courts have indicated that there is currently a judiciary review taking place for early discharge of rehabilitated probationers.  According to the press release: "Judges across the state have concluded the supervisory terms ...

The Public Defender's office and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey have put forth a proposal to the New Jersey Supreme Court to release prisoners from jail who are awaiting a jury trial. As reported by the media, there were almost 5,560 people awaiting trial in the county jails as ...

On December 17, 2020,  the New Jersey Legislature passed legislation to legalize and decriminalize marijuana in the Garden State. Bills A21/S21 legalizes marijuana in New Jersey.  The bill, S2535/ A1897, decriminalize up to 6 ounces of cannabis and downgrades the penalty for the sale of up to 1 o...

Purpose of Pretrial Monitoring According to the New Jersey Judiciary, the purpose of pretrial monitoring is to manage a pretrial defendants' risk of failure to appear in court, the risk to the community safety, and the risk of obstructing or attempting to obstruct the criminal justice process.  ...

COVID-19- NEW JERSEY COURTS POST-PANDEMIC PLANTRANSITION FROM PHASE 1 (REMOTE OPERATIONS) TO PHASE 2 (LIMITED ONSITE PRESENCE AND IN-PERSON COURT EVENTS)

The pandemic dominates the headlines.  As reported by the New York Times, "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that no gatherings with 50 people or more — including weddings, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events or conferences — be held in the United States for the...

Only experience can spot this guys scam ... fraud is fraud, and a pattern of criminal behavior follows. After dealing with hundreds of consumer fraud contractor cases over the years it was a pleasure dealing with the authorities in Ocean County, specifically the professionalism of the Brick Towns...