Category Archives: Criminal Defense
New York Jury Convicts NYPD Detective Of Police Misconduct
On January 24th, a Queens jury convicted one New York Police Department of serious police misconduct in a case that has dominated national headlines. The detective—Kevin Desormeau—was found guilty of perjury, making and effectively creating a bogus drug case against an innocent man who, as a result, spent time in jail at Rikers Island…. Read More »
New Jersey Book Ban Violates Prisoners’ First Amendment Rights
New Jersey has a sordid history when it comes to civil rights issues and prisons: The state leads the nation in racial disparity between black and white inmates, where African-Americans lead the incarceration rate 12-to-1 (in the face of a 5-to-1 national average). Perhaps most shockingly, black inmates represent 60 percent of the state’s… Read More »
Crime Rates In New York Plunge, While Penalties Remain The Same
New statistics on crime in New York have captured headlines of late: According to the reports, as of late December, there have been less than 300 killings in New York City this entire year–the lowest number since the beginning of keeping reliable records. Crime has not just fallen overall; it has fallen in every… Read More »
New Jersey Could Make It Illegal to Fly Drones While Intoxicated
We’ve written about police use of drones before, and whether that could affect your privacy rights. Many are also concerned that drones can cause serious damage to both people and property—one person even referred to them as “flying blenders.” As a result, there appears to be some momentum by New Jersey lawmakers to introduce… Read More »
Administration’s Move Could Threaten Marijuana Legalization On National Level
We’ve previously discussed the criminality of marijuana; what the penalties around in various states such as New York and New Jersey; as well as what’s ahead for the decriminalization of the substance. In early January, the Trump administration took things in a different direction, freeing federal prosecutors to more aggressively enforce federal laws against… Read More »
New Jersey Sports Gambling Case Could Affect “Criminality” Of Many Other Activities
On December 4th, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on New Jersey’s plea to remove criminal penalties for sports betting, and allow for it to be legalized at casinos and racetracks. According to reports, the Supreme Court appears to be siding with the state of New Jersey in this particular case. However, whether or… Read More »
New Study Explores Link Between Criminal Behavior & Brain Trauma
A new study out of Vanderbilt University and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences sheds light on the link between violent crimes and brain trauma. The study specifically focused on people with brain tumors, brain bleeding, and/or a stroke and linking this to a sudden change in their behavior, late… Read More »
Legalizing Marijuana In New Jersey & Prosecuting Impaired Driving
We’ve previously discussed announcements made by incoming-governor Phil Murphy and his intentions to legalize marijuana in New Jersey. The law would permit the sale of marijuana to anyone 21 or older. However, there are some important things to keep in mind as the legalization debate intensifies this coming year, which we discuss in greater… Read More »
Aren’t Debtors’ Prisons Unconstitutional?
An important decision made by a New Orleans Parish Criminal District Court the week of December 15th highlights a problem all over the United States, whereby poor prisoners are charged fees that they are unable to pay in order to fund our courts. This leads to a vicious cycle, whereby indigent defendants are punished… Read More »
“On The Death Penalty, New Jersey Got It Right”
December marks the 10th anniversary of the abolition of the death penalty in New Jersey. After the Appellate Division found the procedures by which capital punishment was being imposed in the state to be unconstitutional in 2004, the Death Penalty Study Commission—as created by the legislature—recommended its abolition. In its place followed life imprisonment… Read More »