Capitol Report: NJSBA monitors several bills as year ends
As the last session days of 2024 take shape, there are several bills the New Jersey State Bar Association is monitoring that have moved, including several addressing criminal law and election matters. The Association will continue to track the measures as they move through the legislative process:
Assaults against sports officials in youth sports
The NJSBA supports A4176 (Flynn), which upgrades certain types of assault against sports officials to aggravated assault, recognizing this problem is prevalent in youth sports. Under current law, an assault committed against a sports official is a disorderly persons offense. The bill upgrades these offenses to at least a fourth-degree offense, which is punishable by up to 18 months in jail, a fine of $10,000 or both. The Assembly Judiciary Committee voted the bill out of committee where it heads to a full vote in the Assembly.
Procedural rights for juvenile defendants tried as adults
The NJSBA supports A5018 (Park), which creates procedural safeguards for juvenile defendants who voluntarily elect to move their cases from the Family Court to the Criminal Part of the Superior Court. The bill requires that juvenile defendants receive information regarding the effects of their voluntary waiver to be tried as an adult, mandating a hearing for court approval of the waiver. The NJSBA noted that these procedural rights are already in place for involuntary waivers and such safeguards would establish whether the juvenile defendant’s action was done “knowingly, willingly, and voluntarily.” The bill heads to a full vote in the Assembly.
Moose’s Law – Prohibition on convicted animal cruelty offenders
The NJSBA supports S3746 (Singleton), known as Moose’s Law. The bill prohibits people convicted of criminal animal cruelty offenses from owning domestic companion animals and from working or volunteering at animal-related enterprises. It also establishes a presumption against pretrial intervention for certain people. The NJSBA supports this version of the bill because it “reflects a balanced approach to animal cruelty offenses with penalties based on the nature and severity of the crime.” The bill was passed out of the Senate Economic Growth Committee with an amendment to narrow the possibility that a co-owner who does not have the best interests of these animals ultimately gets ownership of these vulnerable animals.


New Jersey Lawyer explores updates in domestic violence cases
The latest edition of New Jersey Lawyer is dedicated to the legal perspectives around domestic violence cases in New Jersey and protections against abuse under the state’s Prevention of Domestic Violence Act.
The December magazine, published by the New Jersey State Bar Association, features nine articles that cover the impact of artificial intelligence and other modern technologies on domestic violence, tensions between religion and the jurisdiction of secular courts in domestic abuse cases, how to balance protecting victims with the rights of defendants and other timely issues. NJSBA Past President Jeralyn L. Lawrence also tells the story of how her struggles with an abusive relationship inspired her mission to provide mental health and wellness resources to NJSBA members through the Member Assistance Program.
“The breadth and depth of the articles contained in this edition are as varied as the stories and the history of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. We offer practical “nuts and bolts” perspectives, articles about the impacts of artificial intelligence and technology, and prosecutorial and criminal law views of the topic. In all, we believe that while this complement of articles may never tell every story and every perspective, it is the gateway to bridging the gap to begin the journey,” said Rita M. Aquilo, Albertina Webb and Matheu D. Nunn, who served as special editors to the December issue.
The magazine provides practice tips on the state Supreme Court’s efforts to improve attorney well-being, how to prepare for and manage cybercattacks against your law practice, racial justice and racial equity lawyering and how to give effective feedback on writing. NJSBA President William H. Mergner Jr. also offers a column on the Association’s recent amicus success in the state and federal courts.
Here is the full list of articles from the edition:
  • Awareness, Hope and Strength in the Face of Domestic Violence – By Jeralyn L. Lawrence 
  • Home Horrors: When Technology Becomes a Nightmare – By Melissa E. Cohen, Christine C. Fitzgerald and Jenna N. Shapiro
  • How AI and Deepfakes Can Impact Domestic Violence Cases – By Stacey A. Cozewith
  • Coercive Control: Recognizing the Invisible Chains that Constitute Domestic Abuse – By Alissa D. Hascup
  • Legal Implications in Religious Contexts: Navigating Gets – By Matheu D. Nunn, Eliana Baer, and LaDonna Cousins
  • Balancing Justice: Ethical Examination of Unwilling Victim Prosecution –By Chad Pace
  • Effective Examinations of the Parties in Domestic Violence Cases – By Daniel Burton
  • Finding Fairness in the TRO Process: The Delicate Balancing Act of Protecting Victims While Recognizing the Rights of Defendants – By Thomas J. DeCataldo
  • A Lawyer’s Personal Behavior in Person and on the Internet is Not Immune From Discipline – By Bonnie C. Frost
The full issue of New Jersey Lawyer is available on njsba.com.

YLD sworn in at U.S. Supreme Court 
The New Jersey State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division traveled to Washington D.C. on Dec. 9 for a swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Supreme Court. By taking the oath, nine YLD members joined a prestigious group of lawyers who are eligible to argue cases before the nation’s highest court. YLD Chair and NJSBA Trustee Brandon Lee Wolff made the motion to move their admission before the Court. Becoming a YLD member is a great way for young attorneys to network and enhance their professional development. Follow the YLD for the latest updates and learn more about joining the division here.