NJ Supreme Court Clarifies on Ascertainable Loss Under the CFA

In Robey v. SPARC Group LLC (A-50-22/087981) (Decided March 25, 2024), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that a class of shoppers at the retail clothing store Aéropostale failed to sufficiently plead a claim under the Consumer Fraud Act (CFA). According to the divided Court, the shoppers didn’t demonstrate

NJ Supreme Court Reverses Conviction for Promoting Organized Crime

In State v. Kalil Cooper (A-35-22/087742) (Decided March 27, 2024), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the statute criminalizing the promotion of organized street crime (N.J.S.A. 2C:33-30) does not contain within it, as a predicate offense, the crime of conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (CDS). Accordingly,

NJ Supreme Court Rules Affidavit Is Physical Evidence in Witness Tampering Case

In State v. Isaiah J. Knight (A-39-22/087822) (Decided March 5, 2024), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that a sought-after affidavit was physical evidence of the crimes of witness tampering and kidnapping for which the Defendant and others has been charged. Accordingly, it was subject to reciprocal discovery under Rule 3:3-13(b)(2)(B) and (D).

NJ Supreme Court Creates Distinction Between Pets and Emotional Support Animals

In Players Place II Condominium Association, Inc. v. K.P. (A-60/61-22/088139) (Decided March 15, 2024), the Supreme Court of New Jersey established a test to govern housing requests for emotional support animals, finding that they should be treated differently than pets. Under the Court’s new framework, individuals who seek an accommodation

NJ Supreme Court Clarifies Arbitrator’s Authority Under Tenure Employees Hearing Law

In Sanjuan v. School District of West New York (A-45-22/087515) (Decided February 12, 2024), the Supreme Court of New Jersey clarified an arbitrator’s authority under the Tenure Employees Hearing Law. According to the court, the statute provides the basis to refer a case to arbitration but does not limit an

NJ Supreme Court Holds Fleeing Defendant Lacked Standing to Challenge Warrantless Search of Abandoned Suitcase

In State v. Curtis L. Gartrell (A-31-22/087597) (Decided January 17, 2024), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that a defendant who left a suitcase behind when fleeing police did not have standing to challenge law enforcement’s warrantless search of the bag. Facts of State v. Gartell During the evening

NJ Supreme Court Rules Casino’s Business Interruption Insurance Doesn’t Cover COVID-19 Losses

In AC Ocean Walk v. American Guarantee and Liability Insurance, (A-28-22/087304) (Decided January 24, 2024), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the presence of the COVID-19 virus did not constitute the kind of “direct physical loss or damage” required to support a business-interruption insurance claim. Facts of AC

NJ Supreme Court Establishes New Test for Prosecution for Terroristic Threats

In State v. Calvin Fair (A-20-22/086617) (Decided January 16, 2024), the Supreme Court of New Jersey incorporated the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Counterman v. Colorado, 600 U.S. 66, 79 (2023) to hold that a mental state of recklessness is constitutionally sufficient for a “true threats” prosecution under N.J.S.A.