Category: NJ Supreme Court Reporter

NJ Supreme Court Rules Attorney Review Requirement for Palimony Agreements Is Unconstitutional

In Kathleen M. Moynihan v. Edward J. Lynch (A-64-20/085157) (Decided March 8, 2022), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that N.J.S.A. 25:1-5(h)’s provision compelling parties to seek the advice of counsel — and therefore retain counsel — before signing a palimony agreement violates the substantive due process guarantee of

NJ Supreme Court Rejects Rule Requiring Police to Notify Arrestee of Potential Charges

In State v. Anthony Sims, Jr. (A-53-20/085369) (Decided March 16, 2022), the New Jersey Supreme Court rejected an Appellate Division ruling requiring police officers, prior to interrogation, to inform an arrestee of the charges that will be filed against him, even when no complaint or arrest warrant has been issued

NJ Supreme Court Rejects Calls for Automatic Qualified Immunity Appeals

NJ Supreme Court Rejects Calls for Automatic Qualified Immunity Appeals

Police officers accused of misconduct do not have an automatic right to appeal an order denying qualified immunity in an action under the New Jersey Civil Rights Act (NJCRA), according to a recent decision by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Rather, a defendant seeking to challenge a trial court’s

NJ Supreme Court Rules Mode of Operation Rules Didn’t Apply to Spilled Grapes

NJ Supreme Court Rules Mode of Operation Rules Didn’t Apply to Spilled Grapes

In Aleice Jeter v. Sam’s Club (A-2-21/085880) (Decided March 17, 2022), the Supreme Court of New Jersey clarified when the “mode of operation” rule applies. Under the “mode of operation” rule, plaintiffs who bring premises liability claims against businesses that employ self-service models do not need to show that the

NJ Supreme Court Clarifies When Internal Affairs Records Must Be Disclosed

NJ Supreme Court Clarifies When Internal Affairs Records Must Be Disclosed

In Rivera v. Union County Prosecutor’s Office (A-58-20/084867) (Decided March 14, 2022), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) does not permit access to internal affairs reports, but those records can and should be disclosed under the common law right of access —

NJ Supreme Court Clarifies When Police Can Conduct Warrantless Search of House After Arrest Is Made Outside

NJ Supreme Court Clarifies When Police Can Conduct Warrantless Search of House After Arrest Is Made Outside

In State v. Christopher Radel (A-44-20) and State v. Keith Terres (A-45-20) (Decided January 20, 2022), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that when an arrest occurs outside a home, the police may not enter the dwelling or conduct a protective sweep in the absence of a reasonable and

NJ Supreme Court Holds Parking Lot Accident Is Compensable

NJ Supreme Court Holds Parking Lot Accident Is Compensable

In Lapsley v. Township of Sparta (A-68/69-20/085422) (Decided January 18, 2022), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that injuries sustained in a parking lot owned and controlled by a New Jersey municipality were compensable under the Workers’ Compensation Act. Facts of Lapsley v. Township of Sparta Defendants Township of

NJ Supreme Court Rejects Constitutional Challenge to Three Strikes Law

NJ Supreme Court Rejects Constitutional Challenge to Three Strikes Law

In State v. Samuel Ryan (A-65-20/085165)(Decided February 7, 2022), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that offenses committed by a defendant while under the age of 18 may count as predicate offenses under the state’s  Three Strikes Law, which mandates a sentence of life imprisonment without parole for a