If you burglarize a location or rob a person, you could face serious charges and consequences. For example, you may have to spend time in jail, pay a fine or complete community service requirements. Although burglary and robbery are often confused, they are separate...
Criminal Defense
What is a violation of your right to remain silent?
If a law enforcement officer places you under arrest, you have the right to remain silent. This right ensures that you do not incriminate yourself in a crime by providing evidence the prosecutor could use against you in court. An officer may try to get you to talk....
Know your rights when authorities stop you
Having authorities pull you over is often anxiety-inducing, and the actions you take shortly after may have a large impact on the outcome of an associated criminal case. For this reason, it is critical that you understand your rights when law enforcement officials...
How the police use reasonable suspicion in a traffic stop
The police must abide by a set of policies and procedures at both the state and federal levels. The U.S. Constitution sets forth basic guidelines for police to follow to avoid infringing on your civil liberties. Law enforcement does have tools of investigation at...
An overview of police misconduct
Most police officers and other law enforcement agents are acting within the best interests of the people they serve and protect. For those who are victims of police misconduct, however, this may not seem like the case. Common examples of police misconduct include: ...
Forming a defense after a theft accusation in New Jersey
Being accused of theft can occur in a wide range of scenarios. Theft can occur in a corporate setting, and in this case, it may be classed as a white-collar crime. People can also be accused of theft in a retail environment, or in a situation where it is believed that...
A tool law enforcement is using to detect deception
New Jersey residents may be interested in learning about a tool out of the public eye that law enforcement agents use when determining if a suspect is guilty. The tool is called SCAN, or Scientific Content Analysis. More than 400 agencies across the United States,...
Have my civil rights been violated during an arrest?
All people in the United States have certain basic rights in every day life. These rights include being free from sexual harassment and racial discrimination. While civil rights are considered to be a priority, it is, unfortunately, the reality that many people suffer...
More people face convictions although crime is down
New Jersey residents are more likely to be arrested and convicted of crimes than in the past, but this is not because crime is on the rise. Instead, there is a rise in taking people into custody for petty crimes, including underage drinking. Even one conviction can...
FBI terror watchlist ruled unconstitutional by federal judge
New Jersey readers may be interested to learn that a federal judge recently ruled that the FBI's watchlist of "known or suspected terrorists" is unconstitutional. The ruling was handed down on Sept. 4.The case was brought before the court by a group of American...