The words Due Process are often used in and out of the courtroom but many people, even some attorneys, surprisingly don’t understand or can’t explain it. Due process ensures that legal proceedings operate according to established rules and principles that are designed to protect the rights of private individuals, specifically the right to a fair hearing and the right to know what actually constitutes a crime (notice).
Communication between the alleged victim and the defendant are major trial and pre-trial issues. We often must explain to clients legal concepts involving communications by phone, email and text message. It is unbelievable how many are actually convicted at trial because of a text message with often devasting prosecution evidence.
If this plastic bag ban wasn’t enough, a city, with the one of highest crimes rates in the country, has instituted a policy which directs police to NOT stop vehicles for certain vehicle code violations
We always tell readers and clients to respect police and law enforcement but to never give consent to search their vehicle, their home or property. In addition to not giving consent to search, a person should never speak to police without a lawyer present.
While the majority of these cases involve representation of adults, our law firm has also represented minors in the juvenile justice system in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The goal of the juvenile system is supervision, care, and rehabilitation to ensure that the community in general is kept safe from harm, the perpetrator takes responsibility for his or her actions, and finally, to teach skills to allow the youth to become a productive member of society.
New Jersey, like Pennsylvania, maintains laws to protect domestic violence victims. These are temporary (emergency) court orders and often final orders which prohibit the abuser from having any contact with the victim. They are often abused for other motives against domestic partners. In New Jersey there are 2 types of restraining orders: a temporary restraining order (TRO) and a final restraining order (FRO).
he Memorial Holiday weekend is almost here and its the unofficial start to summer 2024. There is an increased local and state police presence on all major highways during national holidays
While these summer holiday weekend like Memorial Day and the 4th of July are a time to spend with our friends and family, there is always an increased police presence on the state and local highways in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As we soon begin summer 2022, please keep in mind 5 important legal tips,
One of the first things that clients ask about is “my discovery” but most don’t understand what the discovery must contain and when they’re actually entitled to it! You hire a criminal defense lawyer not only to be your advocate in court but also to advise you about your rights under the law
During the summer, it is common for people to host parties and barbecues at their homes for friends and family. While these are often casual events, the law doesn’t distinguish between a formal affair held at your home and one where persons are sitting around a fire pit in your backyard wearing jeans, sandals or bathing suits. In Pennsylvania, social host liability applies to adults who serve alcohol to minors. Adults are responsible for the consequences of their own drinking but minors are the exception. New Jersey however doesn’t limit lawsuits to minors, but also allows adults to bring claims against social hosts if these individuals leave an event clearly intoxicated.
