In recent months, New Jersey has been battling over whether the police can take DNA samples from those convicted of minor offenses. Although the DNA sampling would be put into a database to help identify suspects in later, violent crimes within the state, many have argued that there is little connection between a conviction for [...]
Does a Medical Marijuana Card from California Permit You to Smoke Marijuana in New Jersey?
May 9, 2012 By
Sixteen states in the U.S. now have laws that provide for the lawful use of marijuana. The most famous of these states is California, which famously has quite liberal marijuana regulations. But if you have a medical marijuana card in California, can you take that with you to New Jersey? Or can you be arrested [...]
Can You Be Denied a Job Due to a Prior Arrest? New Federal Guidance Says “No”
May 8, 2012 By
Good news comes this week for those who have prior arrests on their record. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a federal agency created to interpret U.S. employment laws, has issued guidance that says arrests should not be used to refuse or deny an individual a job, and that doing so could constitute discrimination. This [...]
The Parole Decision-Making Process
May 6, 2012 By
Once someone has been convicted and has given up on the potential for appeal, the next goal in site becomes parole. In New Jersey, the parole process involves several different steps and hearings, and overseen by the New Jersey Parole Board. The Board is comprised of a chairman, 14 board members, and three alternate members. [...]
Remedy for a Wrongful Arrest?
May 4, 2012 By
Our legal system is only as trustworthy as it is accountable for its wrongs. And for many of us, a wrongful arrest for something we didn’t do is one of the greatest wrongs imaginable. So what happens if you are arrested without cause, or charges are pressed against you without a legal basis? Can you [...]
For Years, Unreliable Evidence Was Knowingly Used by American Prosecutors
May 4, 2012 By
Prosecutors hold positions of power in our society. They decide who to press charges against, and they decide who gets plea deals and who doesn’t. They determine which charges are brought, and they hold much of the evidence in a case. But because of this power, they are held to a different standard. They are [...]
New Jersey Court Rules: No Suing 911 Operators
May 3, 2012 By
Last month, the New Jersey Supreme Court heard a case in which 911 operators were sued for negligence. The case surrounded a triple homicide that was reported as a disturbance in a 911 call. Paris Wilson, due to near-fatal stab wounds allegedly inflicted by his uncle, was only able to make an emergency phone call [...]
How Can I Find a Legal Specialist: Certifications and Specialties, and When They Are Necessary
May 3, 2012 By
Lawyers aren’t like doctors; they don’t go through special internships and residencies to learn the specialty in which they will practice throughout their careers. In fact, the American Bar Association still operates under the assumption that lawyers are generalists, practicing in many areas of law, always capable of expanding that area of practice with some [...]
Loitering Charges Without a Foundation: A Problem in Our Metropololises?
May 2, 2012 By
What circumstances must exist for the police to make an arrest? The police cannot arrest someone just because they feel like it. Instead, there must be probable cause that an offense was committed. Basically, the elements of a crime should be present, or at least reasonably appear to be. And yet evidence suggests that thousands [...]
