Proposed Revisions to New Jersey’s Domestic Violence Act The tragic acts of a New Jersey State Trooper have brought back into focus the domestic violence laws of the state. State Police Lt. Ricardo Jorge Santos allegedly shot and killed his former girlfriend, Lauren Semanchik, and her boyfriend, Tyler Webb, and then committed suicide. It has […]
Filing a Harassment Action at a New Jersey Restraining Order Hearing It can be challenging to prove harassment at a New Jersey restraining order hearing because the court must assess both the activity at issue and the alleged harasser’s state of mind. Most cases depend on how both are defined, and a misinterpretation either way […]
NJ Temporary Protective Orders (TPOs) for Stalking & Cyber-Harassment In 2023, New Jersey overhauled its system of protective orders by closing a loophole that previously left stalking and stranger-cyber-harassment victims without protection. Michele Albano’s leadership was instrumental in this legislative measure. His daughter had been terrorized by a stranger for years, with no pre-existing relationship […]
NJ Police Lieutenant Case Reveals Gaps in Domestic Violence Legal Protections It was at 5:25 PM on Friday that Santos followed Semanchik back from Long Valley Animal Hospital, a sinister deepening of domestic violence. The case ended in a murder-suicide, with the two victims subsequently found shot inside Semanchik’s home on Upper Kingtown Road. Family members […]
Immigration Status and Domestic Violence: Your Rights in New Jersey Securing Protection and Legal Status as an Immigrant Victim of Domestic Violence in New Jersey Immigrant victims of domestic violence face many additional challenges. Their fear of deportation can prevent them from seeking help. Some immigrants are isolated from their families and support systems and […]
Using Home Security Footage as Evidence in NJ Restraining Order Cases Reaching a Verdict on Footage from Home Security Systems in NJ Restraining Order and Domestic Violence Proceedings With the increased availability and affordability of advanced technologies, home security cameras are becoming a popular tool to safeguard homes from crime. Camera footage of intruders helps […]
When Self-Defense is Legal in New Jersey Domestic Violence Situations Domestic violence cases are a challenge because they involve complex relationships between people. The authorities may find it challenging to determine who is at fault and reach a plausible conclusion. A restraining order cannot do its job when it is not followed. Every relationship and […]
Using Past Domestic Violence Convictions as Evidence in New Jersey Courts New Legislation in New Jersey Would Allow Prosecutors to Introduce Someone’s History of Domestic, Sexual, or Child Abuse as Evidence to Support the State’s Case in a New Domestic Violence Trial. In response to the ongoing social concern of domestic violence in New Jersey, […]
Key Considerations for Pleading the 5th in NJ Domestic Violence Trials The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects a defendant’s right to avoid self-incrimination, among other protections. Specifically, it gives defendants the right to plead the 5th, or refuse to answer questions that may prove their guilt. This right has long been an […]
The Role of Modified Images in NJ Domestic Violence Proceedings Domestic violence is a serious accusation. If a victim makes an accusation that the court does not believe, it can lead to increased danger. If someone is falsely accused, even without a conviction, they can face a ruined reputation and difficulty finding housing, employment, and […]
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