State Looks to Expand Use of Ignition Interlock Citing multiple studies nationwide, New Jersey legislators have introduced a bill that would expand the use of ignition interlock devices for individuals convicted of drinking and driving. New Jersey already mandates that repeat offenders found guilty of driving with a blood alcohol content of .15 or greater must have such a device installed. The proposed legislation would apply to first-time offenders with a BAC of .08(the legal threshold) to .14, and would… Read More

“Cameras don’t lie, and they don’t forget.” This poignant quote from Washington Township, NJ assemblyman Paul Moriarty comes on the heels of New Jersey’s new law that requires all police patrol vehicles to be equipped with dashboard cameras.  Moriarty was charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) in 2012, but the charge was later dismissed when evidence from the patrol vehicle camera footage showed that the stop was illegal and that Moriarty was targeted by the officer who arrested him.  That… Read More

Following the tragic suicide of bullied teen Tyler Clementi in 2010, the New Jersey Legislature found that the percentage of students bullied in all of  New Jersey is higher than the national median.  Our lawmakers took action, and Governor Chris Christie intended for the new anti-bullying law, which was passed in 2011, to be one of the toughest in the nation.  Now, several years after its enactment, the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Act (the “Act”) has proven to be tough in… Read More

Much has been said about the graphic video recently released showing a physical altercation in an Atlantic City casino elevator last February between the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice and his wife, Janay Rice – but many are left scratching their heads as to why he’s not in jail after such an attack.  Did Rice get the deal of a lifetime?  Was his case mishandled by an office that may have been starstruck or under pressure not to prosecute? … Read More

In Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Showboat Hotel and Casino, home of Atlantic City’s House of Blues, has closed its doors. The Revel Casino has also closed only two years after opening – and having never earned a profit. Revel, which was losing approximately $1 million dollars per week received another financial blow in August when an armored car company employee left a bag containing $20,000+ on top of its truck. Surveillance video showed the bag was still on top… Read More

Criminals using sophisticated malware were able to obtain over 2.5 million credit cards used at several Michaels stores, including the Mays Landing, New Jersey location, between May 8, 2013 and Jan. 27, 2014. An information security breach might have established the parameters for the perpetrators to gain access. Michaels’ subsidiary, Aaron Brothers (no current locations in New Jersey), was also affected between June 26, 2013 and Feb. 27, 2014, with 400,000 cards being hacked. The store disclosed the breach to… Read More

April was Distracted Driving Awareness Month The National Safety Council recognized April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, employing the slogan: “U DRIVE. U TEXT. U PAY.”  Local Police in towns such as North Plainfield conducted roadside stings in order to catch distracted drivers. In order to bust distracted drivers, North Plainfield officers posed as construction workers or surveyors and then watched for anyone driving with a phone in their hand(s). Distracted Driving in New Jersey – the Numbers Distraction-affected crashes… Read More

Our DUI/DWI Defense Practice We work with clients at all stages of a DUI/DWI case, from the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) proceeding regarding the status of your driver’s license to the hearing to determine guilt or innocence and establish penalties. Even if you have already been convicted of drinking and driving, we can help you with an application for post-conviction relief.

At the Law Office of Matthew V. Portella, LLC, we have fought for the rights of criminal defendants in New Jersey since 1994. We take a highly personalized approach to the practice of law, focusing on minimizing the consequences of an arrest or prosecution, but also striving to calm your fears and anxiety about the judicial process. We know that the criminal justice system can be intimidating and confusing. We’ll always speak to you in plain English, carefully explaining the… Read More

Motorcycle accidents are almost always fatal or have serious injuries. Due to the fact that the motorcycle is out in the open offering no protection to the rider, it is usually destructive when a collision occurs. In Arizona, motorcycle accident attorneys are helping motorcyclists’ family members when they have lost a loved one to file a claim. A wrongful death claim is one way to get justice when a loved one passed in an accident. More Motorcycles On The Road… Read More