Year: 2022

Will New Jersey School Districts Be Required to Go Green?

Will New Jersey School Districts Be Required to Go Green?

As New Jersey takes steps to transition to clean energy, school districts may soon be required to create their own plans to go green. The New Jersey Senate recently advanced legislation requiring school districts to include environmental sustainability plans in the long-range facilities plans submitted to the Commissioner of Education.

New Jersey Supreme Court Rule Victim Count Is Irrelevant to Leaving the Scene of Accident Charges

New Jersey Supreme Court Rule Victim Count Is Irrelevant to Leaving the Scene of Accident Charges

In State v. Rashaun Bell (A-75-20/084657) (Decided May 16, 2022), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1, which criminalizes the act of leaving the scene of an accident resulting “in the death of another person,” can’t be charged separately for each victim killed in a single accident.

NJ Supreme Court Clarifies Affidavit of Merit Requirement for Vicarious Liability Claims

NJ Supreme Court Clarifies Affidavit of Merit Requirement for Vicarious Liability Claims

In Haviland v. Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, Inc., (A-70-20/085419)(Decided April 12, 2022), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that plaintiffs are not required to serve an Affidavit of Merit (AOM) against defendant health care facilities for claims of vicarious liability arising from the negligent conduct of an

Will New Jersey Clarify the Law on Off-Duty Cannabis Use by Law Enforcement?

Will New Jersey Clarify the Law on Off-Duty Cannabis Use by Law Enforcement?

Now that adult-use cannabis sales have begun in New Jersey, many municipalities and their employees are raising questions about when off-duty cannabis use is permitted. One of the most controversial issues involves off-duty cannabis use by law enforcement. While the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act protects workers

What NJ Municipalities Need to Know About the SCOTUS Decision in Shurtleff v. City of Boston

What NJ Municipalities Need to Know About the SCOTUS Decision in Shurtleff v. City of Boston

The U.S. Supreme Court continues to issue decisions impacting New Jersey municipalities. In Shurtleff v. City of Boston, 596 U. S. ____ (2022), the U.S. Supreme Court held that the city of Boston violated the First Amendment when it rejected an application to fly a Christian flag on one of

Law Enforcement & Personal Use Cannabis

Law Enforcement & Personal Use Cannabis

On April 13, 2022, the Attorney General issued a memorandum to law enforcement agencies authorizing off-duty cannabis use under the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act.  Given the sudden and extreme departure from the norm, the memorandum was met with a broad variety of reactions.  Some expressed support,

NJ Supreme Court Rules Prior Uncounseled DWI Convictions Can’t Be Used to Enhance Sentence for Subsequent DWI Convictions

In State v. Michael A. Konecny (A-21-20/084880) (Decided April 5, 2022), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held a previous uncounseled conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI) can’t be used to enhance a sentencing scheme for subsequent DWI convictions. The court further holds that a conviction vacated through post-conviction relief