Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Federal Legislation Expanding Domestic Violence Criminal Provisions Signed Into Law
In late December, legislation adjusting and expanding what is considered to be “stalking” under the federal criminal code was signed into law in an effort to better protect domestic violence victims and their pets. Specifically, the “PAWS Act” not only expands what is covered under the law and protection orders, but it also establishes… Read More »
The Use of Mug Shot Identification in New York Police Lineups, Despite Unreliability
The New York Times recently ran an article on the use of mug shot searches in New York, despite the serious risks of mistaken identification associated with the technique. The technique involves asking victims to search through hundreds of matching photos after detectives enter a description of a perpetrator into the database. New York… Read More »
State Prosecutor Accuses DOJ of Blocking Investigation into Potential Police Misconduct
The state prosecutor is suing the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over what many suspect to be police misconduct and civil rights issues involving police officers (members of a fugitive task force) shooting 59 bullets into a schizophrenic college student. While the police claimed that they had a warrant to enter the victim’s residency… Read More »
New Jersey Firearms Law Could Lead NYPD Police to Be Arrested
Under a new law, New York officers could be arrested in New Jersey if they travel through the state of New Jersey, off-duty, with a high-capacity firearm magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds. However, legislation is pending which would allow officers to travel with the firearms between the two states, even while… Read More »
New Jersey Supreme Court Orders New Trial for Man Convicted Of Murder Because Statements Illegally Obtained From Him
During the week of December 14, the New Jersey Supreme Court ordered a new trial for a man convicted of murder whose rights were violated while he was being interviewed by police. Specifically, the high court found that detectives had violated his rights by continuing to question him about unrelated crimes, even though he… Read More »
New Jersey Bans Wild/Exotic Animal Circus Acts
A measure signed into law by Governor Murphy on December 14—known as “Nosey’s law—makes it illegal in New Jersey to use certain exotic animals such as elephants and tigers in events such as carnivals, circuses, petting zoos, and similar setups. The bill was reportedly passed for the sake of public safety, as well as… Read More »
New York City’s New Fleet of Drones Has Civil Rights Advocates Concerned
In early December, the New York Police Department (NYPD) announced that it would soon be launching a fleet of 14 drones across the city to monitor people and “reach remote areas in crime scenes.” This has a number of civil rights advocates concerned because the policy governing the drones technically allows for their use… Read More »
First Step Act Promised To Reform Criminal Justice & Release Those Doing Unfair Time for Drug Crimes
News reports have been dominated by news headlines of the First Step Act, which, if passed by the Senate by the end of December, would make a number of changes to the criminal justice system, including eliminating mandatory minimum sentencing for a number of drug crimes, providing funding for rehabilitation programs, and instituting a… Read More »
New Jersey’s Crime Rates Plunge Post Bail Reform Law
New Jersey’s sharp decline in crime has many wondering if the new rules surrounding bail reform—otherwise known as the Criminal Justice Reform Act (or “Bail Reform Law”)—possibly had an important impact on these statistics. Specifically, violent offenses, such as homicide and robbery, are down more than thirty percent throughout the state within the last… Read More »
New York State’s Court of Appeals Finds That Immigrants Deserve Jury Trials, Regardless Of Charge
In a huge step forward for immigrants accused of crimes and threatened with deportation, on November 27, New York State’s Court of Appeals ruled that immigrants are entitled to jury trials, regardless of the severity of the crime with which they are charged, because the potential penalty of deportation is so severe. This is… Read More »