Author: Donald Scarinci

NJ Supreme Court Clarifies WHL’s Good-Faith Defense

NJ Supreme Court Clarifies WHL’s Good-Faith Defense

In Elmer Branch v. Cream-O-Land Dairy, (A-29-19/083379) (Decided January 13, 2021),the Supreme Court of New Jersey clarified the good faith defense under the New Jersey Wage and Hour Law (WHL), ruling that Cream-O-Land Dairy could not assert a defense under N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a25.2 based on its good-faith reliance on certain determinations

New Jersey Supreme Court Rules Prosecutor’s “Shining” Reference

In State v. Damon Williams (A-46-19/083532) (Decided January 19, 2021), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the prosecutor’s comments and use of a PowerPoint slide referencing the movie The Shining amounted to prejudicial error. Facts of State v. Williams Defendant Damon Williams (Williams or Defendant) was charged with

New Jersey Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Virtual Grand Juries

New Jersey Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Virtual Grand Juries

The Supreme Court of New Jersey recently intervened in New Jersey v. Omar Vega-Larregui. The closely-watched case involves a constitutional challenge to the state’s virtual grand jury program, which was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual Grand Juries By Order dated May 14, 2020, the Court authorized a

New-Jersey-Supreme-Court-Relaxes-Legal-Name-Change-Rules

New Jersey Supreme Court Relaxes Legal Name Change Rules

The New Jersey Supreme Court recently amended its rules governing the legal name change process. The changes to Rule 4:72-3 (Notice of Application) and 4:72-4 (Hearing; Judgment; Publication; Filing) eliminate the requirement of newspaper publication of the notice of application and judgment granting a name change. Under the prior rule,

NJ Supreme Court’s Hears Arguments in NJ Transit’s Superstorm Sandy Insurance Dispute

NJ Supreme Court’s Hears Arguments in NJ Transit’s Superstorm Sandy Insurance Dispute

The Supreme Court of New Jersey recently heard oral arguments in a closely-watched case involving insurance claims related to Superstorm Sandy. The specific issue in New Jersey Transit Corporation v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s London is whether New Jersey Transit Corporation’s (NJ Transit) insurers must insure $400 million of water

NJ Supreme Court Rules Attorneys Must Explains Risks and Benefits of Arbitration Provisions in Retainer Agreements

NJ Supreme Court Rules Attorneys Must Explains Risks and Benefits of Arbitration Provisions in Retainer Agreements

In Delaney v. Dickey, (A-30-19/083440) (Decided December 21, 2020), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that attorneys must generally explain to a client the benefits and disadvantages of arbitrating a prospective dispute between the attorney and client for an arbitration provision in a retainer agreement to be enforceable. Facts

New Jersey Supreme Court Sides with Johnson & Johnson in Tax Case

New Jersey Supreme Court Sides with Johnson & Johnson in Tax Case

In Johnson & Johnson v. Director, Division of Taxation,(A-51-19/083612) (Decided December 7, 2020), the Supreme Court of New Jersey ruledthat Johnson & Johnson (J&J) was required to pay an insurance premium tax (IPT) based only upon its premium for risks localized in New Jersey rather than upon its total United

Rising COVID-19 cases have forced New Jersey Courts to again limit in-person proceedings, and the New Jersey Supreme Court is asking for feedback on what to do next. Under its proposal, New Jersey would conduct virtual civil jury trials during the ongoing pandemic. According to a Notice to the Bar, the Judiciary’s Post-Pandemic Planning Committee on Resuming Jury Trials developed the proposal with discussion and detailed written input from members of the Working Group on COVID-19 Jury Operations, including the New Jersey State Bar Association, the New Jersey Association for Justice, the New Jersey Defense Association, and the Division of Law in the Department of Law and Public Safety. COVID-19’s Impact on the Court System After being shuttered for months, the New Jersey court system fully reopened to criminal and civil jury trials in late September. However, on November 16, 2020, rising COVID-19 cases forced the New Jersey Supreme Court to suspend new in-person jury trials pending further order. In support of conducting trials virtually, the proposal notes that the effect of resuming jury trials, even for such a short time, was substantial. Juries returned verdicts in several cases, and more than 225 civil cases settled after being scheduled and conferenced for trial dates. Accordingly, the Judiciary Post-Pandemic Planning Committee on Resuming Jury Trials recommends that all civil case types (all dockets and all tracks) should be eligible for virtual civil jury trials, with the Civil Presiding Judge, trial judge, and attorneys working together to select or exclude cases based on individual factors. The proposal also allows for “hybrid” or “modified” virtual civil jury trials with the judge, attorneys, and even witnesses participating from the courtroom. However, it notes that “given the possibility of an executive order that further limits or suspends indoor gatherings, the judge and attorneys also should plan for how they could continue the trial in a fully virtual format if necessary.” The proposal suggests that the most straightforward cases — those involving a single plaintiff, a single defendant, and a modest number of live witnesses — should be scheduled first. Once those are completed, the courts could consider more complex cases. With regard to how virtual trials would be conducted, the Judiciary Post-Pandemic Planning Committee on Resuming Jury Trials makes the following recommendations: • Jury Selection: To minimize public health risks and maximize juror yield, jurors should not come into the courthouse for an in-person phase of selection. Rather, jury selection should be conducted virtually (without requiring attorney consent for that virtual selection process). Given the modified process, judges should be more permissive in allowing attorneys to participate during virtual voir dire. In addition, up to two additional alternates should be selected to account for the possibility that a juror may experience technical difficulties that prevent them from continuing with the trial or that a juror could develop a COVID-19 related issue that necessitates excusal • Use of Standard Technology: The Judiciary should provide standard technology to all empaneled jurors. The requirements for virtual jury selection should continue consistent with applicable court orders, including the Court’s July 22, 2020 Order that permits the use of various appropriate technology, including smartphones with cameras, for purposes of selection. Samsung Galaxy Pro tablets should be provided to all empaneled jurors, with Broadband activated if necessary. Consistent with the protocols for virtual jury selection and virtual grand jury proceedings, empaneled jurors should receive instructions and training on use of Judiciary-issued technology and on the protocol for informing the judge if they experience a technical problem during the trial. • Pre-trial Conferences: The trial judge should conduct a comprehensive pretrial conference that covers all aspects of the virtual trial process, including whether the judge, attorneys, and parties will be present in a courtroom or participate remotely and the method(s) of presenting evidence. The proposal also states that the judge and attorneys should agree on a trial schedule designed to minimize Zoom fatigue for jurors. Under the Judiciary’s plan, consent to proceed remotely would not be required. However, it further provides that “to the extent practicable, the first virtual civil jury trials should involve judges and attorneys who are amenable to the process and willing to provide feedback for refinement of future protocols.” It also states that relevant factors (including health- or travel-related barriers to attorneys convening in the courtroom) should be considered in selecting and scheduling cases for trial dates.

New Jersey Court System Considering Virtual Jury Trial in Response to COVID-19

Rising COVID-19 cases have forced New Jersey Courts to again limit in-person proceedings, and the New Jersey Supreme Court is asking for feedback on what to do next. Under its proposal, New Jersey would conduct virtual civil jury trials during the ongoing pandemic. According to a Notice to the Bar,