The New Jersey Criminal Division of the courts released a handy manual setting forth vast information regarding the process of criminal matters in New Jersey.   This handbook can help all people involved in a criminal case.  The handbook is focused on the procedure regarding an indictable criminal offense.    Most people who come into contact with NJ’s [...]

Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court established new law regarding the confrontation clause of the United States Constitution.  This is an expansion of the Crawford case handed down in 2004. The High Court ruled that the Crawford (right to confront a witness) issue may be able to be applied retroactively.   This is particularly important in [...]

A current NJ Bill is seeking to get Tasers into NJ police officers’ hands without first getting the NJ Attorney General’s approval. We have mentioned the risks of the Taser on this blog already. Most states have already put the Taser into use. Pennsylvania police use the Taser. Today, I was representing a client at [...]

A law judge in our country holds extreme power…the power to decide cases and change people’s lives.  Judges are the gatekeepers of our justice system.   Most judges in Pennsylvania are voted into office by the citizens of the Commonwealth.   Most judges in New Jersey are appointed by other elected officials. Judges in both PA and [...]

The courts of the Commonwealth of Kentucky are now faced with the same problem regarding the source code of the DUI-DWI breath testing machines. This is a legal issue new to many states. Until recently, no one has really reviewed or challenged the “computer programs” that run these breath test machines. It seems that the [...]

Chattem, Inc. announced that it is initiating a voluntary Nationwide recall of its Icy Hot Heat Therapy products, including consumer “samples” that were included on a limited promotional basis in cartons of its 3 oz. Aspercreme® product. Chattem is recalling these products because it has received some consumer reports of first, second and third degree [...]

This week, local and national news reported that actor, Heath Ledger died due to an overdose on several prescription drugs. Physicians reporting on the findings stated that no doctor in his or her right mind would prescribe the cocktail of drugs that were found in Ledger’s body.      It was reported that it is common [...]

Pennsylvania car accident reports which are prepared by local and PA State Police are very difficult to read and understand if you are not familiar with the layout.   There are many sections on many pages that involve different types of codes and boxes.   There is no way to tell what is stated in the report [...]

The Associated Press reports that a Pennsylvania man was sleeping on his couch (in his house) when he claims that he was awoken and Tasered by police. The man was then taken to jail where he was kept for over two hours in a holding cell, despite asking for medical treatment. Finally it was reported [...]

Law enforcement in New Jersey is now questioning individuals who are suspected of drunk driving (DUI-DWI) as to: Where they were drinking alcohol? How many alcoholic drinks they had? and What kind of drinks they had? A 2007 NJ Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive mandates that New Jersey police ask these questions after they have [...]