Tag: New Jersey Constitutional Law

Oral Arguments Held in NJ Cases Involving Constitutionality of Church Grants

The Supreme Court of New Jersey recently held oral arguments in two cases regarding whether the New Jersey Constitution bans government agencies from giving grants to local churches. The cases are Freedom from Religion Foundation v. Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders and American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey v.

Supreme Court Sides With Church in Grant Funding Suit

NJ Supreme Court to Determine Constitutionality of Church Grants t

The Supreme Court of New Jersey recently agreed to consider whether the New Jersey Constitution bans a county government from giving historic preservation grants to local churches. The case is Freedom from Religion Foundation v. Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders.  The suit, which was brought by the Freedom From

Atlantic City Internal Affairs

Court Rules Atlantic City Internal Affairs Files Are Discoverable

In Groark v. Timek, a New Jersey federal judge issued a ruling that has the potential to destroy the confidential nature of internal affairs files. The ruling will compel not only Atlantic City internal affairs files to be produced for the named defendant officers, but also all other officers. Further,

Proposed Bill Would Change How Joint Municipal Judges Are Appointed

Legislation pending in the New Jersey Assembly would alter how judges are appointed to joint and central municipal courts. A joint municipal court is created by two or more municipalities and has jurisdiction over cases from these municipalities.  A central municipal court is created by a county and has jurisdiction

Appeals Court Approves Gov. Christie’s Veto of Racing Commission

The Appellate Division has sided with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his decision to veto the minutes of the state’s Racing Commission, which would have approved the distribution of $15 million to augment “purse monies” at New Jersey horse tracks. The veto was challenged by the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

New Jersey Judges Looking for Post-Retirement Employment Will Have to Comply With New Rules

Against the backdrop of a ballot question to force judges to pay more for their benefits, the New Jersey Supreme Court has approved amendments to the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey, which impose new ethics obligations on those New Jersey judges who begin to look

When Will Same-Sex Marriage Litigation Reach the Supreme Court?

President Barak Obama made headlines last week when he announced his support for same-sex marriage. The announcement follows his decision earlier this year to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in same-sex marriage litigation. While both of these actions help advance efforts to make same-sex marriage legal throughout

Does New Jersey’s Proposed Internet Gambling Law Sidestep Constitutional Challenges?

Legislation to legalize Internet gambling in New Jersey is moving forward. On March 5, the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee voted 3-0 in favor of the bill. Unlike the prior version of the bill introduced last year, the current legislation is designed to sidestep the need