Violations of Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO) and Final Restraining Orders (FRO) Are Criminal Acts and Heard by A Family Judge

State v. D.O.P. Appellate Docket No.: A-1881-18 Decided April 28, 2021 Submitted by New Jersey Family Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent published opinion, the Appellate Division of New Jersey reviewed a trial court’s dismissal of a Final Restraining Order (FRO) contempt charge when defendant was seen outside of the victim’s home and ran when he…

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Does Conduct Involving Parenting Time Disputes Constitute Harassment Under the Domestic Violence Statute?

C.C. v. I.C. Docket No. A-0771-19 Decided March 16, 2021 Submitted by New Jersey Domestic Violence Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent unpublished decision the Appellate Division of New Jersey reviewed whether defendant’s conduct towards plaintiff involving parenting time disputes constituted harassment under the domestic violence statute, warranting a Final Restraining Order (FRO). In C.C., The…

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Denial of A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO); No Predicate Act or Credibility, and Reliance on Irrelevant Facts

L.E.A. v. M.A. Docket No. A-4174-18T3 Decided December 16, 2020 Submitted by New Jersey Domestic Violence Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent unpublished decision the Appellate Division reversed a trial court’s denial of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), as the Court failed to make appropriate findings as to a predicate act, failed to make credibility…

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Carfagno Factors and Dissolving A Restraining Order

A.J.C. v. G.A.C. Docket No. A-5236-18T1 Decided December 8, 2020 Submitted by New Jersey Family Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent unpublished decision the Appellate Division dissolved a Final Restraining Order (FRO) after the plaintiff engaged in sexual relations numerous times with the defendant during the period the FRO was in effect. In A.J.C., on…

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SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER DECISIONS

Submitted by New Jersey Domestic Violence Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Credibility is the single most important factor in a Judge’s decision to grant a Final Restraining Order (FRO).  With these matters, there is often little or no evidence detailing that events other than your testimony.  If social media contradicts your testimony or demeanor, or shows you…

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Award of Sole Custody, Equitable Distribution, Debt Allocation, Child Support, and Counsel Fee Award From a Default Hearing

K.M.L. v. R.J.L. Docket No. A-4423-18T3 Decided October 8, 2020 Submitted by New Jersey Family Law Firm, Hark and Hark. In a recent unpublished decision the Appellate Division reviewed a trial court’s award of sole custody, equitable distribution, debt allocation, child support, and counsel fee award from a default hearing against the defendant. In K.M.L., plaintiff…

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