When someone dies in a violent event, the charges against the other party or parties involved may not always be immediately clear. Instead, prosecutors may charge a defendant with, including voluntary or involuntary manslaughter. Understanding the difference between...
Does a witness recall you? Or is their memory playing tricks?
If accused of a criminal offense, you may feel hopeful you can prove your innocence. Then the prosecution announces it has a witness who places you at the scene of the crime. Witnesses have been vital to many prosecutions over the years. People have been put behind...
How much trouble can you get into for a little graffiti in New Jersey?
“Street art” has become very popular, especially in urban areas and among young people. Unfortunately, youthful exuberance about that kind of art can lead to some unauthorized experimentation with paint cans -- and wind up with criminal charges. In New Jersey,...
Word to the wise: Your cellphone is no longer safe from intrusion in New Jersey
When you think of the most personal things in your possession, does your cellular phone come to mind? These days, almost everybody has a powerful little personal computer right in their purse, pocket or bag -- and the business they conduct on their phones is often...
What happens in a truancy case in New Jersey?
Education is key to a young adult's future success. Those who don't focus enough on school may find that they don't have the grades or knowledge necessary to be competitive when applying for college or seeking a job. Unfortunately, teenagers often don't see school as...
Probation violations are handled through bench trials
A person who violates the terms of their probation can face a legal hearing on the matter if the probation officer files it with the court. It’s imperative that anyone who is facing a probation violation explores their defense options carefully. You are facing serious...
What to do if your teen is charged with DUI
As a parent, you do your best to explain the dangers of drunk driving to your teen. You let them know that it greatly increases the risk of an accident. You also tell them about all the trouble it can cause in their life. But even if you take this approach, it’s not...
Violated parole? You should defend yourself against harsh penalties
You were excited to find out that you were going to be let out of prison on parole. Your parole was conditional, requiring you to check in with your parole officer once a week and staying clean of drugs or alcohol. You were not allowed to leave the state and were...
What happens if you violate your probation in New Jersey?
For many defendants, probation is a godsend. When it isn’t possible to avoid a conviction, probation is often considered “the next best thing” because it allows the individual to avoid jail. The only problem is that many defendants are unprepared for the harsh...
Arson charges in New Jersey
If you’ve been arrested for arson in New Jersey, you face some potentially serious penalties. Arson is the term used when someone deliberately starts a destructive fire or causes an explosion, but there are different “levels” or degrees of severity to the charges....