Do I Need a New Jersey Special Civil Part Lawyer for my Litigation?

Do I Need a New Jersey Special Civil Part Lawyer for my Litigation?

New Jersey Special Civil Part Lawyer cases are different then cases filed in the regular civil division as they move much quicker. The Special Civil Part handles small claims (up to $3,000), tenancy matters, and claims for monetary relief up to $15,000. Cases in the Special Civil Part are typically tried by a judge without a jury. There are approximately 600,000 cases filed in the Special Civil Part each year.   There are some basic elements to cases in Special Civil part. It is important to act quickly as Special Civil part lawsuits can turn into judgments very fast. You...

New Jersey Invasion of Privacy Laws (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-9) – What You Need To Know

New Jersey Invasion of Privacy Laws (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-9) – What You Need To Know

A New Jersey Invasion of Privacy Lawyer will tell you that every now and then most of us forget that a stranger’s personal matters can be highly sensitive. We are all affected by curiosity and New Jersey Invasion of Privacy laws, making it likely that most of us will snoop into someone else’s business from time to time. It’s easy for people to overstep certain legal boundaries however, and disregarding an individual’s right to privacy can have serious consequences. The recent court case New Jersey v. Dharun Ravi, where a Rutgers University student spied on his roommate during a sexual...

New Jersey Underage DUI Laws and Mandatory Fines and Penalties

New Jersey Underage DUI Laws and Mandatory Fines and Penalties

New Jersey Underage DUI laws as well as fines and penalties differ from those imposed on drunk drivers over the age of 21. Therefore it is important to consult with a New Jersey Underage DUI Lawyer If you are under 21 years old and are convicted for driving or boating with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of .01% or higher, you can expect the following penalties: 30–90 day license suspension Possible combination of the minimum sentences above and select DUI Mandatory Fines and Penalties, depending on the situation 15–30 days mandatory community service Participation in alcohol education and highway safety...

Are New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Settlements Taxable?

Are New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Settlements Taxable?

People always ask if their workers’ compensation payments are taxable. Its a great question as you know that old joke that the only things that are certain are death and taxes. Fortunately, we’ve got good news for you! According to the IRS website, ” Amounts you receive as workers’ compensation for an occupational sickness or injury are fully exempt from tax if they are paid under a workers’ compensation act or a statute in the nature of a workers’ compensation act. The exemption also applies to your survivors. The exemption, however, does not apply to retirement plan benefits you receive...

Conditional Dismissal – New Program for New Jersey First time Offenders on Criminal Charges

Conditional Dismissal – New Program for New Jersey First time Offenders on Criminal Charges

First time offenders now have  new option in New Jersey with the new Conditional Dismissal program for minor offenses in municipal court. The new law establishes a conditional dismissal program in the municipal courts for eligible first-time defendants charged with certain disorderly persons offenses. The program compliments existing criminal justice diversion programs such as pretrial intervention (PTI) for certain indictable offenses in Superior Court under N.J.S.A. 2C:43-12 et seq. and conditional discharge for certain disorderly persons drug offenses in the municipal courts under N.J.S.A. 2C:36A-1. Under the law, a defendant who is charged with a petty disorderly persons offense or...

New Jersey Expungement — Clearing Your Record

New Jersey Expungement — Clearing Your Record

Having an arrest or conviction on your record can lead to many headaches down the road. Applying to schools and searching for jobs is much tougher for those with a criminal record, even if the offense was something as trivial as violating a municipal ordinance (littering, loud noise disturbances, etc). Fortunately, New Jersey allows certain individuals to clear their record through the process of expungement.  Outlined under statute 2C:52, this process can provide a fresh start for New Jersey residents who wish to remove derogatory marks on their record. Understanding the benefits and limitations of the process is very important...

Workplace Accidents and Negligence: Workers’ Compensation Benefits When You Cause Your Own Injury

On December 4, 2013, a man (name withheld) died in an accident at his place of work, an Amazon packaging center. He was 57, a temporary worker at the New Jersey facility. The tragic accident which caused his death is important because it helps to illustrate a very complex area of the law, that which concerns liability in cases of accidental death or injury in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is still investigating the accident, and so specific details are not yet known, but there are many ways this case could be resolved. It’s possible that upon...

Eligibile for New Jersey Drug Court – Another Way Out Without Going In

Eligibile for New Jersey Drug Court – Another Way Out Without Going In

Regardless of a recent groundswell of support for the legalization of marijuana, in most states possession and sale of illegal drugs carries harsh penalties, not the least of which include prison sentences. Possessing up to 50 grams of marijuana is considered a disorderly persons offense under statute 2C:35-10(a)(4) and can land a person up to 6 months in prison and/or a $1,000 fine. Possession of larger quantities is a 4th degree crime and can result in a prison sentence of up to 18 months and up to a $25,000 fine. While marijuana is one of the most common drugs referred...

Understanding Emergency Vehicle Compliance In New Jersey (N.J.S.A. 39:4-91 and 39:4-92)

Understanding Emergency Vehicle Compliance In New Jersey (N.J.S.A. 39:4-91 and 39:4-92)

Many New Jersey drivers experience confusion on how to properly act when they are on the road and encounter an emergency vehicle, whether it is a police car, fire truck, or ambulance. Sharing the road with an emergency vehicle moving at high speeds with sirens ringing and lights flashing can create a highly anxious situation for drivers and can lead to dangerous circumstances if the driver acts incorrectly. For this reason, penalties for failing to yield to emergency vehicles can be harsh depending on the circumstances. You can receive points on your license, traffic fines by the state and by...

Understanding New Jersey Juvenile Prosecution – Juvenile Criminal Law in the County Courts

Understanding New Jersey Juvenile Prosecution – Juvenile Criminal Law in the County Courts

There are a number of differences between juveniles and adults when it comes to the court process. In New Jersey the County has jurisdiction over all juveniles within that county. Therefore, all criminal juvenile delinquent cases are heard at the Superior Court level in the County Court. In juvenile court what is typically called a “trial” is known as an adjudicatory hearing. The adjudicatory hearing must be held within 30 days of the initial detainment of the juvenile if the juvenile remains detained. If the hearing is not held the court must set a date certain for the hearing within...