Blog: Criminal Law

When an individual who is considered a juvenile commits a crime, they still will face legal consequences, but those consequences tend to be not as severe as if they were an adult. The state of New Jersey has laws and regulations regarding how and when a minor can be arrested and detained. These laws will also affect how their charges are handled in court. Learn more about juvenile crimes below and what you should do...

What Happens if You’re Caught Shoplifting? If a store owner suspects someone of shoplifting, the owner may decide to detain that person until law enforcement (or if the person is a minor, his or her parent or guardian) arrives. Shop owners are often justified in detaining suspected shoplifters, especially if the shop owner has proof of the offense, like surveillance video or finding hidden merchandise on the individual. What Is Shoplifting? Shoplifting is a form...

What is Shoplifting? Stealing from stores is a crime so old that the term shoplifting was coined way back in the 17th century. Since then, there have been a variety of laws across all nations and cultures to punish those who take things that they do not want to pay for. In modern America, there are multiple angles to consider when it comes to shoplifting punishments and how to discourage would-be thieves from taking things...

Weapons Offense Overview When a criminal offender commits a crime and a weapon is involved in the commission of the crime, the offender may be subjected to additional or enhanced penalties if he or she is convicted for the crime. Public policy calls for enhanced penalties when crimes involve weapons because of the increased risk of serious injury or death that the presence of weapons pose. Types of Weapons Charges There are multiple examples...

Katherine D. Hartman will be addressing the New Jersey Association of Justice at their annual Boardwalk Seminar in Atlantic City on May 10, 2018. The topic is Ethics and Professionalism for Criminal Attorneys. The seminar begins at 3:00 pm and will be held at Harrah’s Resort and Casino...

Criminal justice reform has taken place in New Jersey. Starting January 1, 2017, there will be a completely new system concerning arrests, bail, pre-trial detention, and time limitations concerning speedy trials. Here are some of the highlights concerning the new system: Release Without Posting a Money Bail If you are charged on a Summons, there will no longer be a money bail set. You will be released after your arrest and processing without the need...

This week, the United States Sentencing Commission cut federal prison terms for drug offenses. The reform, adopted on July 18, 2014, retroactively decreases the drug table set forth in the United States sentencing guidelines by two offense levels across all drug types. Effective November 1, 2014, some 50,000 people who are currently incarcerated in the federal prison system for drug offenses could be eligible for a reduction of their sentence by an average of nearly...

Michael Mormando will be featured as a Speaker for the Burlington County Bar Association’s Criminal Practice Section. The class, entitled “Handling a Criminal Case: The Nuts and Bolts of Trial Preparation” will be held on October 24, 2013, from 4:30 P.M. to 6:45 P.M. at the County Office Building, 3rd Floor, Courtroom 2, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Mr. Mormando will be presenting a PowerPoint presentation on pre-trial motions with a focus on search and seizure...

Katherine Hartman was quoted in a recent article about the Travon Martin Verdict and the future legal proceedings George Zimmerman face. http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/could-george-zimmerman-face-another-day-in-court/article_fef523d0-6a51-59ab-ae69-1c279e6bc2b1.html...