If you were to go off what you see depicted on television, you'd assume that most criminal cases ended up going to trial. That's far from the reality, though. Statistics show that about 90% of all criminal cases end with a plea deal. There are various reasons why...
The rights of defendants to challenge junk science
While science has accepted DNA testing as a generally valid form of evidence for all types of criminal cases, absolute accuracy is not always present. There have been multiple criminal cases where defendants have been convicted based solely on the evidence of DNA...
What occurs after a DUI arrest in NJ?
Motorists who get behind the wheel when they are impaired by alcohol or drugs need to know what will happen if they are arrested by police for suspicion of DUI. From the time you are stopped by police until the time that your case comes to an end, there are many...
A petition urges Patch to stop posting lists of sex offenders
If an individual in New Jersey is convicted of a sex crime, they'll have to register as a sex offender for the rest of their lives. This information is public knowledge and easily accessible to anyone who wants to know about sex offenders in their area. In some ways,...
An overview of embezzlement
If you use corporate or client funds for your own personal gain, you may be guilty of embezzlement. Such crimes include taking money from your company cash register or billing a New Jersey client for services that were never rendered. Embezzlement schemes may involve...
Police must have probable cause to conduct searches
Law enforcement officers and agencies in New Jersey and across the country are limited in their powers by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Fourth Amendment is one of the most prominent limiters on the power of the state. It prohibits unreasonable searches...
A saliva test is being developed to detect driving on marijuana
In New Jersey, police officers are able to identify drivers who are intoxicated through the use of a breath test. It is a more challenging to detect motorists driving under the influence of cannabis. Officers may be able to visually spot these drivers but have little...
Dubious psychological tests presented in court
When people in New Jersey face criminal charges, they may come up against even more problems in the courtroom. According to researchers, many of the psychological, IQ and other evaluation tests taken into account by courts may have little scientific basis, if any....
How confident are you when talking to the police?
When you come in contact with the police, do you feel confident that you know how to handle yourself? Whether it's a traffic stop or an officer at the door, you want to know how to talk to them.First and foremost, remember that you often have a right to remain silent....
After man’s suicide, woman charged with manslaughter
A man from New Jersey passed away by suicide on the very day he was supposed to be graduating from Boston College. Now his girlfriend has been accused of manslaughter and linked to the death.According to reports, the young woman was allegedly very controlling, and she...
