Criminal Justice
Appeals court rejects forced medication of mentally ill criminal defendant
Judges must prioritize defendants' rights to a fair trial and bodily autonomy when mulling forced medication to restore competency, an appeals panel ruled.
White House officials praised Camden’s jail. Women incarcerated there tell a different story
White House officials have praised Camden's jail for its drug-treatment program — but people imprisoned there say conditions are inhumane.
Improper instruction led to alleged gang leader’s racketeering conviction, N.J. Supreme Court rules
The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled that improper jury instruction led to a conviction on charges of promoting organized street crime.
Sen. Menendez won’t seek Democratic nod for reelection, may run as independent in November
The embattled senator, charged with bribery and acting as a foreign agent, announced his plans during a video posted to social media Thursday.
Records shed light on program pairing cops with mental health professionals
Mental illness, substance use, and domestic disputes were common threads in calls under a state program intended to defuse crisis responses.
‘Tough-on-crime’ policies are back in some places that had reimagined criminal justice
The percentage of Americans who think the United States is “not tough enough” on crime grew for the first time in 30 years, according to a Gallup poll released in November.
Judge declines to dismiss Menendez charges over immunity claims
Menendez argued the Constitution's speech or debate clause, which guards lawmakers against prosecution over official legislative acts, bars the charges.
Use of force incidents high among cops who attended controversial police training conference
More than 70% of the 240 N.J. cops who attended Street Cop's 2021 conference, where instructors glorified violence, have used force since 2020.
Bail system scrutinized during Senate panel hearing
Criminal justice reformers, county prosecutors, and court administrators argued the 2017 criminal justice overhaul was a success.
Prosecutors add obstruction, conspiracy to list of charges faced by Sen. Menendez and his wife
Prosecutors charge Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife obstructed justice by seeking to return bribe payments and falsely characterizing them as loans.
Justices rule authorities can seek bullet removed during surgery years after gunfight
The justices unanimously rejected arguments the bullet is shielded by constitutional rights to counsel and against self-incrimination.
Judge denies Sen. Menendez bid to suppress gold bars, other evidence seized
Judge Sidney H. Stein finds "no basis to infer" omissions in search warrant filings would have undercut probable cause, as Sen. Menendez claimed.