In Case of An Illegal Search, Evidence May Be Suppressed and The Case Dropped

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET NO. A-0128-19 STATE OF NEW JERSEY, Plaintiff-Respondent, Versus BRUCE A. POOLE, a/k/aBRUCE POOL, Defendant-Appellant. _______________________ Submitted April 28, 2021 – Decided June 25, 2021 Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark This case arises out of a June 27, 2018, event where there were reported shots fired…

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The Plain View and Exigent Circumstance Exceptions to The Warrant Requirement

STATE OF NEW JERSEY, Plaintiff-Appellant, RASHEED M. PHILLIPS, Defendant-Respondent. Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark Here at Hark&Hark we have already written about State v. Phillips, in 2019. We stay up to date on this June 14, 2021, appellate decision. See  State v. Phillips | New Jersey Criminal Civil Lawyer. The facts are…

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Police Officer’s Testimony of Surveillance Footage Was “Best Evidence” When the Surveillance Footage Could Not Be Produced for Trial

State v. Bayoumi Appellate Docket No.: A-163-20 Decided June 1, 2021 Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent unpublished opinion, the Appellate Division of New Jersey reviewed whether a police officer’s testimony of surveillance footage identifying defendant was appropriate “best evidence” when the surveillance footage could not be produced for trial. In…

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Case Brief: State v. Kanem Williamson (A-65-19)(083979)

Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Parties:  Plaintiff: State of New Jersey Defendant: Kanem Williamson Proc. Hist.:         Trial Court allowed the admission of hearsay evidence under the “dying declaration” exception.  Appellate Division affirmed; Supreme Court granted review. Facts:                  In the spring of 2014, A.B. was shot multiple times and found in a pool of…

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Self-Defense And the Use of Deadly Force Has Very Specific Requirements

State v. Sanders Docket No. A-1965-18 Decided May 13, 2021 Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a published decision, the Appellate Division of New Jersey reviewed whether defendant self defense was a defense to endangering after defendant stabbed a store clerk and fled without calling emergency services. In State v. Sanders, just before…

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IN THE MATTER OF THE APPEAL OF DENIAL OF A FIREARMS PURCHASER IDENTIFICATION CARD AND PERMIT TO PURCHASE HANDGUNS FOR C.P.

Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In an unpublished decision, the Appellate Division of New Jersey reviewed a denial of a firearms purchaser identification card (FPIC) and permit to purchase handguns (PPH) to a retired police officer. In C.P., On September 7, 2011, [C.P., then] a Lieutenant for the Old Bridge Police Department, arrived…

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For A Protective Sweep, Officers Need A Reasonable and Articulable Suspicion of a Crime Being Committed or That There May Be Danger in The Area

State v. Williams 461 N.J. Super. 80 (2019) Decided August 29, 2019 Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a published decision, the Appellate Division of New Jersey reviewed whether a warrantless search resulting in the seizure of cocaine was valid after police were given permission to enter the home and they conducted a…

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In Order for Search and Seizure, Officers Need Probable Cause Through A Warrant or Circumstances That Would Ordinarily Permit Officers to Get A Warrant

State v. Weaver Appellate Docket No.: A-4582-18 Decided April 6, 2021 Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark.             In a recent unpublished opinion, the Appellate Division of New Jersey reviewed a police search of a home that lead to finding firearms under a mattress without a warrant and in search of the defendant who…

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Prosecutor Misconduct During A Trial Can Deny A Defendant A Right to A Fair Trial – Make Sure Your Attorney Recognizes It!

State v. Garcia Docket No.: A-47-19 Decided March 10, 2021 Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a opinion, the Supreme Court of New Jersey reviewed whether a under the plain error doctrine, defendant was denied a fair trial when a video depicting defendant’s family members speaking with police was excluded from evidence and,…

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