New Jersey Supreme Court to Let Jury Decide If Jersey City Officers Entitled to Immunity

In Estate of Hiram A. Gonzalez v. City of Jersey City (A-19-20/084381) (Decided August 4, 2021), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the immunities from liability provided by the Good Samaritan Act, a statute that immunizes officers from civil or criminal liability for assisting persons intoxicated in a

New Jersey Supreme Court Rules 17-Year-Old Entitled to Miranda Warning

In State v. Zakariyya Ahmad (A-54-19/083736) (Decided June 15, 2021), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that because a reasonable 17-year-old in the defendant’s position would have believed he was in custody and not free to leave Miranda warnings were required. The court further held it was harmful error

New Jersey Supreme Court Orders Employer to Cover Costs of Medical Marijuana

In Vincent Hager v. M&K Construction (A-64-19/084045) (Decided April 13, 2021), the Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled that an employer may be required to reimburse the costs of an employee’s medical marijuana. It further held that such a requirement does not conflict with the federal Controlled Substances Act. Facts

New Jersey Supreme Court Upholds Bias Claim Under Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

In Delanoy v. Township of Ocean, (A-68-19/084022) (Decided March 9, 2021), the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that Township of Ocean Police Department’s disparate procedures violate the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). It was the first time the state’s highest court had considered the PWFA, which amended existing portions

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

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