NJ Supreme Court Sets Guidelines for Use of Remote Interpreters

In State v. Oscar R. Juracan-Juracan (A-32-22/087849), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that there is a presumption that foreign language interpretation services will be provided in person during a criminal trial, citing the New Jersey Judiciary’s longstanding practice. Accordingly, the court set forth guidelines and factors to assist

NJ Supreme Court Establishes Procedure for a Prima Facie Showing of Cohabitation

In Cardali v. Cardali (A-25-22/087340) (Decided August 8, 2023), the Supreme Court of New Jersey clarified what is needed to obtain discovery in a motion seeking to terminate or suspend alimony payment. Under the court’s decision, a movant need not present evidence on all of the cohabitation factors in order

NJ Supreme Court Declines to Alter Double Jeopardy Jurisprudence

In State v. Stephen A. Zadroga (A-22-22/087156) (Decided August 9, 2023), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that double jeopardy did not bar the retrial of defendant Stephen A. Zadroga. In reaching its decision, the court declined to adopt a per se rule that whenever a mistrial follows the

NJ Supreme Court Rules Catholic School Justified in Terminating Teacher

In Crisitello v. St. Theresa School (A-63-20) (085213) (Decided August 14, 2023), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that a Catholic school could terminate a teacher for having premarital sex. According to the state’s highest court, the termination was legal under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination’s (LAD) “religious

NJ Supreme Court Limits First-Time In-Court Identifications

In State v. Quintin D. Watson (A-23-22/087251) (Decided August 2, 2023), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that first-time in-court identifications may only be conducted when there is good reason for them. In addition, before attempting to conduct a first-time in-court identification, the State must give fair notice to

NJ Supreme Court Rules Law Enforcement Not Required to Administer Miranda Rights For Witness Statement

In State v. Andreas M. Erazo (A-16-22/086991) (Decided June 21, 2023), the Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled that law enforcement was not required to administer Miranda warnings to the defendant when he voluntarily came to the police station to provide a witness statement because he was not yet a

NJ Supreme Court Clarifies IAD’s Speedy Trial Rights

In State v. Rami A. Amer (A-9-22/086950) (Decided July 3, 2023), the Supreme Court of New Jersey clarified defendants’ speedy trial rights under the Interstate Agreement on Detainers (IAD), an interstate compact addressing the transfer of a prisoner from the jurisdiction in which he is incarcerated to another jurisdiction in

NJ Supreme Court Rules Marijuana Odor Didn’t Justify Warrantless Engine and Trunk Search

In State v. Cornelius C. Cohen (A-50-21/084493) (Decided June 22, 2023), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the odor of marijuana in a vehicle did not authorizes a search of the engine compartment and trunk under the automobile exception to the warrant requirement. Facts of State v. Cohen