Year: 2020

Gov. Murphy Signs Election Bills into Law

Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed several bills into law that seek to improve New Jersey’s election process. The measures establish an online voter registration center, require district boundaries and corresponding election results to be posted online, and mandate that incarcerated individuals be counted at their last known street address for legislative

NJ Appeals Court Vacates Approval of Application Amended by Zoning Board

In 440 Company-Carriage House, LP v. Zoning Bd. of Adjustment for the Borough of Palisades Park, the Appellate Division vacated the zoning approvals for a high-rise building to be constructed in Palisades Park. The appeals court found that the zoning board’s approval of an application modified sua sponte by the board’s chairman was arbitrary,

New-Jersey-Supreme-Court-Clarifies-Transfer-Inheritance-Tax

New Jersey Supreme Court Clarifies Transfer Inheritance Tax

In Estate of Mary Van Riper v. Director, Division of Taxation (A-51-18/082000) (Decided February 5, 2020), the Supreme Court of New Jersey addressed the application of New Jersey’s transfer inheritance tax statute. It held that the New Jersey Division of Taxation (Division) properly taxed the full value of the home

311 message

NJ Appeals Court Rules 311 Message Is Sufficient Notice Under TCA

With pothole season underway, New Jersey municipalities should be aware of a recent Appellate Division decision. In Martinez v. City of Hoboken, the Appellate Division held that a plaintiff’s message to the city of Hoboken on the City’s electronic 311 online reporting system regarding an injury she sustained stepping in a pothole was sufficient

NJ Supreme Court Rules Counties Can’t Charge Extra Title Fees for E-Filing

NJ Supreme Court Rules Counties Can’t Charge Extra Title Fees for E-Filing

In New Jersey Land Title Association v. Dana Rone (A-82-18/082620) (Decided February 4, 2020), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that county clerks and registers may not charge a convenience fee for electronic filing of documents concerning real property. The court did not issue a plenary opinion, but rather

NJ Supreme Court Rules Focus on Labels Clouded Analysis in Tenure Case

NJ Supreme Court Rules Focus on Labels Clouded Analysis in Tenure Case

In Melnyk v. Board of Education of the Delsea Regional High School District (A-77-18/082354) (Decided January 30, 2020), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that an instructional and tenure-eligible position did not become extracurricular and tenure ineligible simply because the teacher already held tenure in another position. According to

NJ Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Cell Phone Privacy Case

NJ Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Cell Phone Privacy Case

The Supreme Court of New Jersey recently heard oral arguments in a closely-watched Fifth Amendment case. The issue in State v. Andrews is whether the defendant can be forced to turn over the passcode for his encrypted iPhone. During oral arguments, Justice Barry Albin acknowledged that the case “could cause the court