In any New Jersey child pornography case, two critical elements must be proven by the prosecution: knowledge and intent. Without both, a conviction cannot lawfully stand. These elements are often misunderstood, yet they form the foundation of most legal defenses in child pornography investigations. Knowledge means that the accused was aware of the existence and …
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Read MoreThe Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. In child pornography cases, this protection is often the first—and sometimes strongest—line of defense. If the evidence against a person was obtained through an unlawful search, it may be thrown out, and the entire case could collapse. In …
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Read MoreIn most child pornography cases, digital evidence is at the heart of the prosecution’s case. Investigators rely on images and videos found on computers, phones, USB drives, and cloud accounts to build charges. But just because something was found on a device doesn’t automatically mean the person accused is guilty. That’s where computer forensics becomes …
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Read MoreIn certain child pornography cases, the strongest defense may not be about what was found—it may be about how it was found. When law enforcement steps outside the bounds of proper conduct or deliberately creates the conditions for a crime to occur, the defense of entrapment or government misconduct may apply. Entrapment occurs when police …
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Read MoreIf you’re facing child pornography charges in New Jersey, it’s critical to understand the potential consequences. Convictions for possession, distribution, or production of child sexual abuse material carry some of the harshest penalties under state law. In addition to prison time and fines, these charges often lead to mandatory sex offender registration—a lifelong burden with …
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Read MoreNew Jersey law separates child pornography offenses into three main categories: possession, distribution, and production. Each carries different penalties, legal definitions, and levels of severity. Understanding the distinctions between these charges is critical in any criminal defense case. Possession refers to knowingly having images or videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on a device, …
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Read MoreUnderstanding the Impact of DWI Convictions on Professional Licenses The consequences of a DWI conviction can be severe, especially when it comes to professional licenses. In many cases, individuals may face challenges in renewing or obtaining professional licenses after a DWI conviction. This can have a significant impact on their careers and livelihoods. Understanding the …
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Read MoreThe U.S. Constitution protects people against unreasonable searches and seizures. Police officers generally need to get a warrant from a judge to conduct a search. However, there are some limited exceptions. In this article, our New Jersey criminal defense attorney provides an overview of the key things to know about your search warrants, the legal …
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Read MoreIn 2012, Washington and Colorado became the first two U.S. jurisdictions to legalize the recreational use of marijuana (cannabis) at the state level. Over the last decade, many other states have followed, including New Jersey. On Nov. 3, 2020, New Jersey voters strongly supported Public Question 1 — an amendment to the state’s constitution that …
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Read MoreEvery state has self-defense laws that allow individuals who are threatened to utilize reasonable force to defend themselves or others and to escape criminal liability for their utilization of force. However, each state has its specific rules that govern the use of force in self-defense, and using force beyond the bounds of the laws of …
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