Warrantless Searches in New Jersey and Investigatory Stops How long can the police detain me without any ‘probable cause?

February 6, 2019 |

STATE V. CHISUM NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT FEBRUARY 5, 2019 Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. [A]n investigative detention, also called a Terry stop or an investigatory stop, occurs during a police encounter when ‘an objectively reasonable person’ would feel ‘that his or her right to move has been restricted. SUMMARY: In this…

What is the “Exclusionary Rule for unlawfully obtained evidence in New Jersey?

February 6, 2019 |

STATE V. CHISUM NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT FEBRUARY 5, 2019 Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. [A]n investigative detention, also called a Terry stop or an investigatory stop, occurs during a police encounter when ‘an objectively reasonable person’ would feel ‘that his or her right to move has been restricted. SUMMARY: In this…

What is an ‘unreasonable delay’ of a citizen by the police during an investigatory stop? Does a “Terry Stop” allow unlimited delay by the police in N.J.?

February 6, 2019 |

STATE V. CHISUM NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT FEBRUARY 5, 2019 Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. SUMMARY: In this case, police officers responded to a simple noise complaint at a motel room. They arrived at the scene and did NOT issue any municipal ordinance summons for any violations because the renter of the room immediately…

State v. O’Neal Pursuant to N.J.R.E. 607, “A prior consistent statement shall not be admitted to support the credibility of a witness except to rebut an express or implied charge against the witness of recent fabrication or of improper influence or motive

February 5, 2019 |

State v. O’Neal  NJ Appellate Division Unreported Decision February 4, 2019 Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Facts: Defendant was arrested in Jersey City in the early morning hours of September 7, 2013. The facts pertinent to this appeal were adduced at trial through the State’s primary witness, Sergeant Keith Ludwig, a twenty-year veteran of…

State v. O’Neal If the jury, during deliberations, asks to here trial testimony, do they have to hear the cross-examination also? NO. The court only has to play back what the jury clearly communicates to the Judge.

February 5, 2019 |

State v. O’Neal  NJ Appellate Division Unreported Decision February 4, 2019 Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Facts: Defendant was arrested in Jersey City in the early morning hours of September 7, 2013. The facts pertinent to this appeal were adduced at trial through the State’s primary witness, Sergeant Keith Ludwig, a twenty-year veteran of…

NJSA 2c:58-3(c) – 4 Permit to purchase a Handgun requirements, Concealed weapons permit and Police Chief discretionary decision Appealable to the Superior Court of New Jersey in the County where you reside.

February 3, 2019 |

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPEAL OF THE DENIAL OF DOUGLAS F. CIOLEK’S APPLICATION FOR A FIREARMS PURCHASER. On appeal from Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Morris County, Docket No. L-0017-22. Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark Appellant Douglas F. Ciolek appeals from a March 14, 2018 Law Division order affirming the Township…

New Jersey Supreme Court Dismisses Minor Municipal Court Warrants

February 1, 2019 |

If you have an outstanding arrest warrant for a municipal court case issued before 2003, your case may have been dismissed. Search dismissed cases here. Q. Was my case dismissed? Your case might be dismissed if: Your case is open, you failed to appear in court, and an arrest warrant was issued before Jan. 1,…

Withdrawing a Guilty Plea. How to do this and what you need to do to be successful

February 1, 2019 |

Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark I plead Guilty to a charge and now want to withdraw that guilty plea due to some significant changes in factual circumstances! How do I do this and what do I need to do to be successful with the Motion to withdraw my Guilty Plea? STATE OF…

Inappropriate comments by a prosecutor in his opening and closing statements leads to overturning murder convictions. What did the prosecutor say that was wrong?

January 31, 2019 |

State of New Jersey v Greene & Lewis New Jersey Appellate Division decision decide to January 28, 2019. Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark Simply put, in this case the prosecutor made reference to possible testimony from a witness who heard a confession by one of the defendants that he committed the shooting…

One Lawyer, 194 Felony Cases and No Time

January 31, 2019 |

Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark Mr. Talaska was not outside the norm. Of the public defenders in Louisiana handling felony caseloads at that time, there were two dozen with even more clients. One had 413. Jack Talaska William Widmer for The New York Times The numbers alone might seem to violate the…