Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol carries many perils, including causing a serious accident, losing driving privileges and facing serious criminal charges if someone is injured in an accident. Two men from northern New Jersey were recently charged with a...
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Bill would end drug charges for less than a pound of marijuana
While many states across the nation have taken the step of decriminalizing marijuana, New Jersey has yet to do so. People who are arrested and charged with marijuana possession can face a variety of penalties that can complicate their lives. The law dictates the...
Psychology tests in court could be faulty, study says
Some people in New Jersey who are facing misdemeanor or felony charges may find themselves being required to take psychological and IQ tests that are not supported by evidence. According to a study that appeared in the journal Psychological Science in the Public...
Miranda rights: More than the right to remain silent
"You have the right to remain silent." For many people in New Jersey, this is a familiar phrase. Even if people have not encountered it through their own experiences, they have heard these warnings on a police drama on television. However, people may not consider just...
Unproven investigative technique used widely by police
Many New Jersey residents may expect police investigations to be like those often portrayed in movies and TV dramas, focused on accuracy and taking advantage of the latest advanced scientific techniques. Unfortunately, however, some investigations and forensic...
Community service sentencing can reinforce inequity
People in New Jersey often think of community service sentences as providing a win-win situation. People who are convicted of crimes, usually misdemeanors with fines attached, may be able to work through their sentence without harsh jail time or hefty fines they...
How arrest rates are affecting younger generations
New Jersey residents may be interested in learning that about one quarter of arrests are for consuming alcohol or drugs without permission. Statistics show that 9% of arrests for men and 8% of arrests for women are connected to drugs while 11% of arrests for women and...
Civil rights groups worry about police access to personal data
Police officers and federal agents usually must obtain search warrants if they wish to search a New Jersey resident's home or automobile, and judges will only authorize searches when they are presented with sufficient probable cause. However, the confidential personal...
Age plays a role in overall crime rates
New Jersey residents might be interested to learn that Americans between the ages of 26 and 35 were 3.6 times more likely to have been taken into custody compared to those over the age of 66. This was according to a study called the Panel Study of Income Dynamics,...
Racial disparities in misdemeanor sentencing
About 80 percent of the people arrested each year in New Jersey and around the country are charged with misdemeanors, according to figures from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The vast majority of these cases are resolved by plea agreements rather than trials....
