For generations, people have run scams, often under the guise of a legitimate business, to personally profit from the unsuspecting. In many cases, scam artists make their business by promoting a service or product that either supposedly boosts the buyer’s performance in some way or gives the buyer a chance to profit off of their […]

Facing criminal charges at any point in the year is stressful but getting arrested over the holidays can be particularly overwhelming. Something that not everyone might realize is that certain crimes tend to spike over the holiday season. This can be due to any number of factors, including increased stress around the holidays, more time […]

If you were to ask people why they got married, the answers they provide often include an intangible emotional awareness of how important the other person is to them or their desire to be with that individual. In many ways, divorce is similar. Some people divorce for specific reasons, like abuse or adultery, but many […]

Your criminal record will follow you wherever you go. Depending on your criminal history and what you plan to do in life, it could prevent you from traveling, getting employed, getting housing or taking on loans. In short, one mistake could haunt you for the rest of your life. However, when someone has a criminal […]

Most people learn about the United States Constitution in school, but knowing what it says and understanding what it means are two different matters. All adults must know some fundamental rights that the Bill of Rights provides. When your rights are violated, those violations can become an essential part of your criminal defense. It’s usually best to […]

Domestic violence is a serious issue in the United States, and many people fail to understand the scope of the problem. Many families get torn apart because one spouse may be unable to manage negative emotions in a healthy manner and instead takes their feelings out on their loved ones. Domestic violence can affect someone’s […]

The past month has brought a wave of changes to individual gun rights, affecting citizens in New Jersey and across the country. Amidst the frenzy of activity at both the Supreme Court and state levels, it can be difficult to stay up to date with all of the changes, let alone what these might mean […]

If you have ever been arrested or detained – regardless of whether you were later convicted – you now have a criminal record. This event remains in your permanent history and follows you wherever you go. There are many deficits of having a criminal record, which can negatively impact other areas of your life. It […]

Regardless of whether you and your spouse are getting along, you will want to protect your kids during your divorce. It’s in your children’s best interests to consider your long-term arrangements before submitting your proposed parenting plan to a court. Think about the detailed schedules for each child, including periods of residential versus nonresidential parental responsibility. […]

There are many aspects of a child custody arrangement that must be worked out between divorcing parents. To develop a child custody agreement, parents will have to agree on legal and physical custody of their child and must remain focused on what is in the best interests of the child. BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD If the […]

No one can remain completely cool and collected when the police are taking them into custody or interrogating them. It’s a stressful experience, and it can be easy to make mistakes when emotions are high. But being able to remember what to say – and what not to say – can be the difference between […]

The first time your spouse struck you, you might have blamed yourself. When it continued, you understood that you were not the problem. You were not a problem at all. You were the victim of domestic violence, and you needed protection. It is time to take control of your situation. Though it will not be […]

When it comes to property division, a lot of the focus is on marital assets. This is understandable. After all, you want to ensure that you’re getting your fair share of the marital estate. But while marital assets can provide you with a certain amount of financial stability post-divorce, that comfort can be derailed by marital debts […]

Social media is a great way to keep up with friends and family. We share or read about the kids’ triumphs, personal setbacks, and just about anything in-between, so some will turn to Facebook, Instagram or other platforms to share or seek solace during a divorce. While this may seem like a good idea, quite […]

Freedom and the right to privacy often go hand in hand. If a police officer attempts to look through your private personal belongings, what are your rights? Can you refuse? Most times, the police cannot look in your wallet, purse or backpack without a warrant to do so. However, there are some exceptions to this. […]

A criminal conviction comes with many life-changing consequences. Not only can it result in expensive fines and a considerable sentence of imprisonment, but it can also have negative effects in other areas of life. However, a person who’s been charged with a crime has the right to avoid these consequences by contesting the charges in […]

All drug crimes have severe penalties in New Jersey, but drug distribution has the harshest. The penalties for this crime depend on the amount that a person distributes, as well as the type of drug in question. Nonetheless, all types of drug distribution can result in a sentence of imprisonment and expensive fines. DRUG DISTRIBUTION […]

The COVID-19 pandemic directly impacted almost every part of our lives in 2020. We stayed home from work, our children missed school, we changed the way we shopped and even how we celebrated holidays. Some of these changes may arguably have been for the better, but others were clearly for the worse. In a recent […]

The early fall is back-to-school season for college students across New Jersey. Unfortunately, along with new classes and dorm move-in day comes a wave of certain crimes. As a parent, it is common to worry about your son or daughter making a poor judgment call and having a run-in with the law. Along with criminal […]

Witnesses are important in criminal proceedings and investigations. Without them, it would be more difficult for the court to determine the real facts behind a case or whether someone is guilty of committing a crime. Because witnesses’ testimonies are crucial, the law punishes anyone who tries, in any way, to convince a witness to lie […]

Up until a few years ago, if you were arrested and charged with a serious crime in New Jersey, you generally would have two options: pay a hefty amount of money in bail, or stay in jail until your case is resolved. Not a great choice, but one that many accused individuals never actually got […]

A person commits a crime of money laundering when they get money through criminal activity and then disguise their proceeds to make them unidentifiable. Money laundering has severe consequences in New Jersey. However, the court can only convict someone of this crime if they knew that the money or property came from illegal sources. PENALTIES […]

New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA) became law in June 1997, spurred by the “get tough on crime” era of the 1990s. NERA, modeled on federal “Truth in Sentencing” guidelines, requires those convicted of specific serious crimes to serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for parole. WHICH OFFENSES ARE INCLUDED? […]

If you’ve received a DUI charge, you probably have a lot of questions. Should you fight the charges? Will fighting make your situation worse? There are consequences for a DUI conviction that can affect many different aspects of your life, including your career ambitions. That is why it is always worth it to expend the […]

You understand the consequences when charged with DUI, and they are never good. That is why having an experienced and skilled criminal defense attorney on your side is essential. He or she relies on critical strategies that may get the case against you dismissed. One such strategy is the “Holup motion.” A judge will dismiss […]

Many New Jersey residents’ financial situations have become precarious since the pandemic began due to layoffs, business shutdowns and other repercussions. While things are improving, many people have seen missed payments stack up. The question they’re asking is, “What is the best way to deal with that debt?” Is bankruptcy or debt settlement the best […]

Almost everyone in New Jersey has debt: mortgages, car loans and credit card debt are very common. Unfortunately, getting overwhelmed by debt is also a common situation. And when someone falls behind on their payments, phone calls and letters from a debt collection agency is often the next thing to happen. You might feel powerless […]

The New Jersey Supreme Court has ordered State Courts to reopen for in-person jury trials starting June 15. Due to health concerns regarding COVID-19, in-person criminal trials have essentially been suspended since November of 2020 and limited since March of last year. This recently scheduled reopening follows the previous target date of May 18. The […]

More than one year after Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order enacting a moratorium to protect New Jersey tenants from being evicted, hundreds have been kicked out of their homes during the pandemic. In early April, the state Attorney General’s office issued new guidance to law enforcement to help keep tenants in their residences […]

New Jersey’s use of grand juries in the indictment process sets it apart from most U.S. states. If you are ever arrested for a serious crime, and your case is not dismissed or diverted into something like a pretrial intervention program, a grand jury will most likely decide whether to indict you on the charges. […]

If you enjoy watching crime shows on television, you’ve probably watched more than a few scenes where police arrest a suspect. As part of that arrest, the officers likely tell the suspect that they have the right to remain silent. That anything they say can and will be used against them in a court of […]

Getting pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving can be a frightening experience. If this is your first offense, you might have many questions on potential DUI/DWI consequences to come. Will you be able to keep your driver’s license? Will you have to go to jail? New Jersey changed its drunk driving law in late […]

During your marriage, you and your spouse likely acquired property and assets together. From your home to your vehicles, from collectibles to financial accounts, your marital estate may be significant. Yet, if you two are now divorcing, you will have to divide these assets, and you will likely feel concerned about the share you will […]

Your marital union ruptured, and your spouse moved out of the house. You tried several sessions of therapy, hoping to salvage your marriage. However, the “temporary” fix from that experience did not last. You think long and hard about your next steps, considering your children, your emotional state and your financial state. It is time […]

In the United States, people are innocent until proven guilty. That means if you ever get arrested, you deserve a fair trial. You shouldn’t have to pay steep fines or endure lengthy prison stays unless a jury finds you guilty. However, that’s not always how things work. The wheels of justice are always turning, but […]

The police pull you over. They suspect you’ve been drinking and driving. You’re placed under arrest and submit to a breathalyzer test at the station. The results show that your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is over the legal limit. What happens now? There’s a belief that breath test results are objective proof that a person […]

COMMUNICATION AND AVAILABILITY One of the biggest differences between the two is in communication and availability. Because private attorneys have manageable caseloads, they’re typically more responsive to client calls and emails and accessible for updates about your case.It’s unfortunate that so many public defenders are so overworked. They often don’t get to show how capable they are […]