COVID-19 continues to change the way local government business is conducted in New Jersey. On April 29, Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order allowing county and municipal clerks to accept initiative and referendum petitions electronically. Executive Order 132 also authorizes signatures for these petitions to be collected electronically. The measure aims
The New Jersey Court system is relying on technology to remain “open” amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. According to the Supreme Court of New Jersey, more than 12,000 court events involving more than 80,000 participants have taken place remotely since March 16, 2020. Remote Court Proceedings New Jersey judges and
In State v. Isaiah Bell (A-58-18/081743) (Decided April 14, 2020), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that a prosecutor’s failure to instruct the grand jury on lesser-included offenses for murder in response to questions posed by a grand juror did not constitute an abuse of prosecutorial discretion. However, it
In these uncertain times, New Jersey municipalities are working hard to maintain operations, which includes responding to requests under the state’s Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”). However, reduced staff hours and office closures are making the process more challenging. In response to COVID-19 the state enacted legislation relaxing the deadline
In Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org Inc., the U.S. Supreme Court clarified the extent to which governmental authorities can obtain copyright protection for content they create. By a vote of 6-3, the Court held that under the government edicts doctrine, the annotations below the statutory provisions in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated are ineligible
The Supreme Court of New Jersey has authorized new law school graduates to begin practicing even though they have not yet passed the bar exam. Under the court’s order, they will be permitted to practice temporarily under the supervision of experienced attorneys. “At this challenging time, the public has a
In State v. Mark Jackson; State v. Jamie Monroe (A-18/19-19/083286) (Decided April 1, 2020), the Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed an Appellate Division decision holding that prosecutors may subpoena inmates’ recorded telephone conversations. Facts of State v. Jackson; State v. Monroe Defendant Mark Jackson was arrested after his mother
In Kornbleuth v. Westover, (A-71-18/081898) (Decided March 11, 2020), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held property owners who filed a lawsuit against their neighbors over the destruction of bamboo “fence” were required to show their property value was diminished as a result. Facts of Kornbleuth v. Westover Plaintiffs Joseph
