Blog: Criminal Defense
- What are your rights during a traffic stop?
Jan 18, 2024
The police can perform traffic stops on drivers who are suspected of committing a crime. The police use traffic stops to gather evidence against drivers to help determine if there is a need for an arrest. Drivers may be asked to answer questions, submit to searches or perform sobriety tests. Many drivers feel helpless when they are pulled over by the police. However, drivers who understand their constitutional rights may be able to protect themselves...Read More - How should I address a false domestic violence claim?
Dec 7, 2023
Domestic violence is a grave concern that affects countless lives. However, in the pursuit of justice, it’s crucial to acknowledge that false claims of domestic violence can also surface, causing significant damage to individuals and relationships. Navigating a false domestic violence claim can be a challenging and distressing experience. Suppose this is your current predicament; you may need strategies to address and counter such allegations. False accusations can have severe consequences, affecting your personal life,...Read More - Who can seek adjudication in the New Jersey recovery courts?
Oct 8, 2023
New Jersey drug charges can put someone in a difficult position. If they plead guilty, they will have a criminal record and be subject to penalties imposed by a judge. If they go to trial, they may have an uphill battle trying to overcome the state’s evidence and raise a reasonable doubt about their criminal activity. Those accused of a drug offense in New Jersey have more than just those two options. Sometimes, they can...Read More - What to know about transporting marijuana across state lines
Sep 10, 2023
It is no longer illegal, in most cases, to possess marijuana in New Jersey. There are still limits under the new law, but adults are allowed to have 6 ounces or less. This is a reflection of how marijuana laws have been changing across the country. In many states, there are dispensaries where these products can be purchased in the same way that a person would buy a bottle of wine or a six-pack of...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 - 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