Criminal charges

The defense of juvenile defendants is one of the most important and complex aspects of a criminal case. Understandably, people are often confused about aspects of juvenile defense. It is common for young people to be mischievous. However, if their antics go too far,...

People from all around the world come to Atlantic City to enjoy the phenomenal casinos. Whether you’re from New Jersey or not, you’re still expected to abide by the laws of this state. Some of these have to do with disorderly conduct. There are several actions that...

The terms “assault and battery” are commonly used together as if they were conjoined twins -- but they aren’t. In fact, in New Jersey, “battery” isn’t actually a criminal charge at all.  A battery is usually defined as any hostile or unwanted physical contact between...

If a defendant is charged with a violent crime that involves any element of self-defense, New Jersey statutes protect one’s rights to defend themselves when safety is in imminent and illegal danger. A defense that uses the concepts of “Stand your ground” and “Castle...

Over the decades, much research has gone into determining the long-term consequences of incarcerating youths. For example, research indicates that adolescent brains have not developed enough for teenagers to understand the consequences of their actions. Research also...

Most everyone on some occasion has mistakenly written a check when there wasn’t enough money in their account to cover it. Those mistakes can come with hefty fees from the bank and the payee. When someone intentionally writes a check knowing there’s not enough money...

Not every potential criminal case goes to a grand jury -- but the idea that you may be indicted on a crime can certainly be intimidating. It’s worth noting -- right up front -- that an indictment isn’t the same as a conviction. In fact, grand juries are generally a...

When people find themselves facing serious criminal charges, they often think that the goal of going to court is to prove their own innocence. They want to show that the charges are false and prove that they did nothing wrong.  This mindset makes sense, as you’re...

You may have heard people say that someone else was involved in a crime of passion. This is often brought up in reference to murder cases. What does this mean and why is it used as a defense? The dictionary defines a crime of passion as one that takes place when...

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...