New Jersey’s General Assembly recently approved a measure to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for certain nonviolent offenders. It is unclear, however, whether New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy will sign it. Although Murphy has long advocated for the elimination of mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent property and drug crimes, he has previously stated that he would…
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United Airlines Must Pay $49 Million to Resolve Fraud Charges
United Airlines recently agreed to pay over $49 million to resolve charges of fraud. According to public records, United entered into International Commercial Air (“ICAIR”) contracts with the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) to transport U.S. mail internationally on behalf of USPS. Pursuant to these contracts, United was required to provide bar code scans of…
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New Jersey Lawyer Receives Reprimand After Accepting Improper Loans
A New Jersey lawyer has received a reprimand from the New Jersey Supreme Court after it was revealed that he accepted $75,000 in improper loans from clients. During its investigation, the court found that the loans were improper because the lawyer, Michael Rehill, failed to advise his clients in writing to seek independent legal advice…
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The State of New Jersey Accuses Gun Manufacturer of Consumer Fraud
There are a number of federal laws on the books that shield gun manufacturers from liability for gun crimes and deaths. In order to bypass these laws, New Jersey officials are taking a new approach to investigate the gun industry. Specifically, they’re targeting Smith & Wesson, one of the largest gun manufacturers in the world,…
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New Jersey Governor Signs Bill to Officially Legalize Recreational Marijuana
In November of last year, New Jersey voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the state constitution to allow the possession and use of marijuana for individuals age 21 and older. The amendment also permits the cultivation, processing, and sale of the substance. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill in February 2021, officially legalizing…
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New Jersey’s Civil Forfeiture Laws Receive “D” Rating in Recent Report
New Jersey recently received poor marks in a nationwide report that examined how each state addresses civil asset forfeiture. Although researchers praised New Jersey for recent legislation that increased forfeiture transparency, they also called on state lawmakers to make additional reforms, including the outright abolishment of civil forfeiture proceedings. Ultimately, this resulted in a “D”…
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Statute of Limitations in Legal Malpractice Cases
Attorneys are required to provide their clients with quality legal services. Some attorneys, however, fall far short in this area. When an attorney fails to provide a client with the level of service required by law, the client may file a legal malpractice lawsuit. Legal malpractice occurs when an attorney’s failure to provide service that…
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Beware of These Common Consumer Fraud Scams During the Holiday Season
The holiday season is a wonderful time of the year. Unfortunately, however, it can also be a dangerous time for consumers. Every year, crooks and scammers come out of the woodwork to take advantage of innocent people. Therefore, as the holidays approach, consumers should be on the lookout for scams designed to steal their personal…
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Measuring a Lawyer’s Standard of Care: Why Expert Testimony Is Needed in Legal Malpractice Cases
In order to prevail in a legal malpractice case, a plaintiff must prove that his or her attorney failed to meet the required standard of care. In order to prove this to the jury, expert testimony is often required. Below is an overview of why expert testimony is needed in legal malpractice cases. Establishing Legal…
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Resolving Business Disputes Outside of Court: The Value of Arbitration and Mediation
Alternative dispute resolution is a process that allows individuals to settle legal issues outside of court. There are many advantages to settling civil disputes through alternative dispute resolution. Two of the most popular forms of alternative dispute resolution are arbitration and mediation. Below we discuss the value of arbitration and mediation. What is mediation? Mediation…
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