Month: July 2025

NJ Supreme Court Holds Defendant in PDVA FRO Hearing Can Invoke Fifth Amendment

NJ Supreme Court Holds Defendant in PDVA FRO Hearing Can Invoke Fifth Amendment

In M.A. v. J.H.M. (A-1-24/089673) (Decided May 27, 2025), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that a defendant in a Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (PDVA) final restraining order (FRO) hearing may invoke the privilege against self-incrimination in response to specific questions that raise reasonable risks of self-incrimination. The