New Study Makes Need for NJ Bail Reform Apparent

Posted on May 6, 2013 by dave

Bail is not a form of punishment, nor is it designed to reflect the presence of guilt. Instead, bail exists to ensure a defendant returns for future court dates. It’s an incentive to come back. However, a recent study from the Drug Policy Alliance (pdf) puts New Jersey bail practices to task and indicates the state may need some significant changes to ensure they aren’t creating a pauper’s prison. Continue reading →

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NJ Police Don’t Take Complaints Seriously

Posted on March 1, 2013 by dave

When you want to file a complaint against the police, you unfortunately have to call the police. But the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) cautions that police departments across New Jersey may be giving complaining citizens incorrect information, potentially resulting in complaints never being addressed at all. Continue reading →

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Police Peg All Inner-City Folks as “Perps”

Posted on February 25, 2013 by dave

Earl Morgan, a columnist for the Jersey Journal called police to task in a recent piece—saying that they need to stop assuming “everyone in the inner city is a perp.” This assumption, he says (and many would agree), is rampant not only in Jersey City–  where allegations of brutality against a teen have been in recent news– but throughout the state. Continue reading →

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Teen Alleges Jersey City Police Brutality

Posted on February 20, 2013 by dave

A 19-year old man alleges Jersey City cops used excessive force with him, and the NAACP is joining forces to ensure his story is heard. At a NAACP meeting, Jarrett Blair shared his story with organization members and the press. Continue reading →

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Crime in NJ Up From Last Year, Still Down Historically

Posted on February 12, 2013 by dave

High crime rates sell newspapers. So, the fact that the New Jersey crime rate rising this year over last is being cited as major news is of little surprise. While the NJ State Police says crime overall is up 3% over last year, the crime rate, overall, has been falling for decades. Many people blame this recent spike on cop layoffs, particularly in Camden—the city known as the nation’s “most dangerous”. Continue reading →

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First NJ Marijuana Dispensary Opens Its Doors

Posted on December 19, 2012 by dave

After years of conflict and delays, New Jersey’s medical marijuana patients will soon have access to their medicine. This week, the first pot dispensary in the state opened its doors in Montclair. According to the Star-Ledger, the Greenleaf Compassion Center is taking their first customers. Continue reading →

photo by: MASH POTATO
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Not Guilty on Drug Distribution – Jury Nullification for NJWeedman

Posted on October 22, 2012 by dave

After a long and well-publicized journey through the court system, Ed, the “NJWeedman” Forchion has been found not guilty on drug distribution charges. Originally from Jersey, living in California, and arrested on a trip home with a pound of pot, the NJWeedman made a name for himself by shaking the court system and challenging how things are normally done in the criminal justice system.

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When Addicts Have Nowhere To Go But Jail

Posted on October 12, 2012 by dave

It’s said that addicts must “hit bottom” before they are ready to get better, and that they must want to get help before any attempts at treatment can be successful. But, what happens when an addict wants to get help, when they’ve “hit bottom” but no one is there to listen or assist them? What happens when there simply isn’t treatment available? Continue reading →

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ACLU Report Questions NJ Prosecutors’ Accountability

Posted on September 20, 2012 by dave

What should happen to a prosecutor who makes such a serious mistake that a conviction is thrown out? What if that mistake was made in a case as serious as murder or sexual assault, potentially leaving the possibly-guilty defendant to walk free? One would think that prosecutors would face serious repercussions for such weighty mistakes. However, one would be wrong. Continue reading →

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Officials Say Ban Has Curbed “Designer” Drugs

Posted on September 7, 2012 by dave

New Jersey has experienced a significant drop in the number of reports to the state’s poison hotline regarding bath salts since the designer drugs were banned. Officials say this is evidence that the ban is working to curb usage of the dangerous synthetic drugs. Continue reading →

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