New Jersey’s New Expungement Law effective June 2021

February 1, 2020 |

The bill that Gov. Murphy signed is now designated L. 2019, c.269. With minor exceptions, L. 2019, c.269 takes effect on June 15, 2020. Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Prior law: When a defendant’s criminal record included two or more totally unrelated criminal convictions, none of those convictions could be expunged. Once…

Twitter Tells Facial Recognition Trailblazer to Stop Using Site’s Photos

January 25, 2020 |

Twitter said Clearview AI, whose app is spreading in law enforcement, was violating its policies. Lawmakers also expressed privacy concerns. Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. A mysterious company that has licensed its powerful facial recognition technology to hundreds of law enforcement agencies is facing attacks from Capitol Hill and from at least…

Newly Signed Hand and Foot Bill Increases Amount of Workers’ Compensation Benefits

January 23, 2020 |

Submitted by New Jersey Workers Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy this week signed into law the long-considered hand and foot Bill, increasing the amount of workers’ compensation benefits paid for injuries producing loss of function for such injuries. The Bill accomplishes the legislature’s goal of providing greater compensation for hand and…

‘Private Enclave’? Supreme Court Deciding Whether Cellphone Passcodes Are Protected

January 23, 2020 |

The case “could cause the court to diverge on constitutional amendments” and have a seminal impact, Justice Barry Albin said during the arguments at the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton. Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark Hours of arguments were heard by the New Jersey Supreme Court on whether a criminal…

DWI defense of “necessity“

January 12, 2020 |

This is a very interesting case for several points. I will address each one individually. Submitted by New Jersey DWI Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Standard of review for the appeal of a municipal court decision by the municipal court judge. I have written numerous blogs on this issue previously but it worth repeating at this time.…

Punitive Damages 2020 in New Jersey. What facts do you need?

January 12, 2020 |

CIGNARELLA,   v.  FITNESS INTERNATIONAL, LLC, LEVIN PROPERTIES, and AMERICAN POOL ENTERPRISES, INC., NEW JERSEY POOL MANAGEMENT, LLC, d/b/a AMERICAN POOL MANAGEMENT,1 Submitted by New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark Decided January 10, 2020 Summary : The key to this decision is the judge’s dismissal of the punitive damages count at the summary judgement stage prior to…

Personal Injury Law Firms through out the United States must hold funds from personal injury settlements or risk civil claims from the government regarding Unpaid Medicare Debts

January 10, 2020 |

If anyone doubts that Medicare is serious about recovering its lien, this should prove to be informative: Submitted by New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Philadelphia-Based Personal Injury Law Firm Agrees to Resolve Allegations of Unpaid Medicare Debts PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced…

The Unforeseen Dangers of a Device That Curbs Drunken Driving

December 23, 2019 |

Ignition interlock devices are becoming ubiquitous. They can distract drivers and cause crashes. Submitted by New Jersey DWI Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Over the past decade, states have increasingly turned to a powerful tool to stop drunken driving before it starts: miniature breathalyzers, wired into a car’s electronics, that prevent the engine from starting unless the…

Clearing marijuana offenses in N.J. is coming — if Murphy signs bill this time

December 20, 2019 |

Submitted by New Jersey Drug Crime Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. People convicted of marijuana offenses in New Jersey are closer to getting their records cleared, as the state Legislature voted Monday to pass an expungement bill. “This move will make it possible for thousands of residents now and in the future to truly be able to…

New laws will clear N.J. criminal records for weed and allow people on parole to vote

December 19, 2019 |

Submitted by New Jersey Drug Crime Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Some 80,000 people in New Jersey will have their voting rights restored and more will see their criminal records expunged, thanks to two bills Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law Wednesday. “Today is not just about writing a new chapter of New Jersey history,” Murphy told…