On January 6, 2026, the New Jersey Supreme Court decided the Mercer County case of State v. Michael Owens. The principal issue under N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4 concerned whether the trial court was required to instruct the jury on the lesser-included offense of passion...
On December 19, 2025, a three-judge appellate panel decided the Essex County case of State v. Anthony Gibson. The principal issue under N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2 concerned whether a public official’s working a separate job while receiving paid sick leave could support an...
On December 17, 2025, a three-judge appellate panel decided the Middlesex County case of State v. K.W. The principal issue under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2 concerned whether the mistaken application of a statutory amendment that occurred after the alleged offense violated Ex...
On December 1, 2025, a three-judge appellate panel decided the Middlesex County case of A.C. v. R.S. The principal issues under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-16 concerned whether cyber-harassment could be based on text messages and whether the circumstances of the case supported...
On November 24, 2025, the United States Supreme Court decided the case of Pitts v. Mississippi. The principal issue concerned the Sixth Amendment’s Confrontation Clause. This was a “per curiam” opinion. “Per curiam” opinions are supposed to involve such a...
On November 20, 2025, the New Jersey Supreme Court decided the Middlesex County case of State v. Darryl Nieves. The principal issue concerned the scientific reliability of testimony regarding Shaken Baby Syndrome / Abusive Head Trauma. Justice Pierre-Louis, my Rutgers...
On October 15, 2025 the United States Supreme Court denied the application for a stay of a death sentence in the case of Crawford v. Mississippi. Justice Alito was presented with the application and denied a writ of certiorari. Justice Sotomayor, joined by Justices...
On November 17, 2025, a 6-3 majority of the United States Supreme Court denied a petition for certiorari in the case of Hutson v. U.S. Justice Gorsuch would grant the petition. Justice Alito, joined by Justice Thomas, dissented from the denial of certiorari in...
On November 10, 2025, the United States Supreme Court denied a petition for a writ of certiorari in the case of Veneno v. U.S. The principal issue concerned the continued validity of an 1886 case that addressed the federal government’s power over American Indian...
On July 28, 2025, the New Jersey Supreme Court decided the case of M.R. v. Department of Corrections. The principal issue concerned whether a physical examination is required for a medical diagnosis to be rendered regarding the Compassionate Release Act. Justice...