Blog
- 3 sources of compensation after a New Jersey drunk driving wreck
Aug 24, 2023
There are numerous laws restricting certain behaviors when people drive. In New Jersey, people generally need to follow all posted signage, comply with the speed limit and avoid engaging in behaviors that are known to be risky, such as drunk driving. Impaired motorists often assume that they can get home safely and then end up causing a preventable and potentially tragic collision. Those involved in a drunk driving crash should not have to accept and...Read More - Must the police have a warrant to search my property?
Aug 23, 2023
If you are under investigation for a crime, the police will focus heavily on obtaining as much evidence as they can to get a conviction. If they intend to conduct searches then they will most likely need a warrant to do this. After all, the Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable government overreach by way of illegal searches and seizures. However, not all criminal investigations are the same. There are instances when the police may...Read More - Does a police officer have to be honest with you?
Aug 2, 2023
When people think about criminal cases, they often imagine a courtroom where someone swears that they will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It is very clear that the truth is important, and they assume that that works both ways. For instance, when talking to a police officer – even if it’s just during a traffic stop or an interrogation, and not in the courtroom – they assume that the...Read More - Informed decision making: The risks of plea bargains
Jul 31, 2023
While plea deals can offer a way out for defendants facing serious charges, it’s essential to understand the risks involved in taking a plea deal. They are not always in your best interests, and rushing into accepting the prosecution’s offer is not advisable. Below are some pitfalls of agreeing to a plea bargain that you ought to be aware of as a criminal defendant. Relinquishing certain rights You essentially waive your right to a trial...Read More - What makes local journeys so dangerous?
Jul 1, 2023
If someone asked you to picture a car crash, you’d likely describe something on the interstate. A high-speed crash with wreckage strewn across the lanes. While crashes on major roads tend to be catastrophic due to the high speeds involved, one study found that almost 40% of all crashes occur within six minutes of setting off. That’s when you are probably still on local minor roads. Here is why: Many people are not ready to...Read More - 2 reasons that evidence may not lead to a criminal conviction
Jun 26, 2023
Those accused of criminal acts in New Jersey all too often let the state intimidate them into making mistakes in how they respond to their charges. Quite a few people plead guilty despite never admitting that they broke the law. When police officers or prosecutors inform defendants that there is some kind of compelling evidence connecting them to criminal activity, defendants frequently panic. Even those who know that they did not break the law may...Read More - How police mistakes can impact the admissibility of evidence
Jun 20, 2023
The wheels of the criminal justice system start turning when you are placed under arrest. As such, law enforcement plays a big part in shaping the outcome of a criminal case, and any mistakes by the police can have a significant impact. It could be errors in search and seizure procedures, failure to read Miranda rights, mishandling of evidence or violation of constitutional rights. Either way, the affected evidence may be deemed inadmissible in court...Read More - How is imminent danger established when arguing self-defense?
Jun 15, 2023
We live in a highly unpredictable society. One moment you are doing your weekly grocery shopping, the next you are figuring out how to walk out of a mass-shooting scene alive. Fortunately, there are laws in place to deter and/or punish violent crimes. Per New Jersey laws, you may exercise force to protect yourself or someone else from harm as long as the force in question is reasonable or proportionate. This is known as self-defense...Read More - 4 kinds of field sobriety tests you should know
May 23, 2023
The police have many tools they can use to determine if a driver is drunk. One of the first things the police may do is ask a driver to do a field sobriety test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has sanctioned three field sobriety tests. But, there are four total tests you should be aware of. Here’s what you should know: 1. Horizontal gaze nystagmus test The first test you should know is...Read More - Traffic violations that can lead to CDL loss
May 9, 2023
If you’re a commercial driver, you know your commercial driver’s license (CDL) is essential to your livelihood. Losing your CDL, or even a few months’ suspension, can have severe consequences, including losing your job. We’ll discuss some of the traffic violations that can lead to the loss of your CDL and what you should do if you are ever charged with any of them. DUI/DWI offenses Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated...Read More