The ACDL-NJ, through its Amicus Committee, has appeared as amicus curiae
("friend of the court") in nearly every significant criminal case in
the New Jersey Supreme Court and the New Jersey Appellate Division, to
take positions on issues of fundamental importance to the
Constitutional rights of criminal defendants. The committee’s work has
been highly respected by the legal community, with the New Jersey
Supreme Court specifically requesting submission of amicus positions
from the ACDL-NJ on
cases pending before the Court. The ACDL-NJ has filed briefs on issues
of enormous significance to criminal defendants, including the death
penalty, search and seizure, attorney-client confidentiality,
forfeiture, and jury instructions. Amicus Committee members have also
publicly commented on proposed changes to the New Jersey Court Rules
and to administrative regulations.
|
Amicus Representation
| Year | Name | Issue | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-05 | State v. Lodzinski | Requirement that court consider defense evidence of reasonable doubt in deciding motion for judgment of acquittal | Amicus Brief | App. Div. Opinion | |
| 2020-05 | State v. Jones | Whether mere words may constitute a "substantial step" in an attempted murder case | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2020-04 | State v. Melvin | Use of acquitted conduct found by a judge by a preponderance of evidence to enhance sentence | Amicus Brief | App. Div. Opinion | |
| 2020-01 | State v. Michael Jackson | Scope of cross-examination of a cooperating witness on his/her plea deal and its effect on a defendant's summation | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | App. Div. Opinion |
| 2020-01 | State v. Mark Jackson, __ N.J. __ (2020) | Warrant requirement for access to recorded inmate telephone calls | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2020-01 | State ex rel. A.A., 240 N.J. 341 (2020) | Was juvenile’s statement to his mother, which was overheard by a police officer before juvenile was read Miranda warnings, admissible at trial | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument (Part 1 -- Part 2 at https://bit.ly/2WTMLnW ) | Opinion |
| 2020-01 | Smith v. United States, 140 S.Ct. 907 (2020) (cert. denied) | Admissibility of out-of-court testimonial statements of witness whose unavailability was caused by the Government | Amicus Brief | Order Denying Certiorari | |
| 2019-11 | State v. Olenowski | Admissibility of DRE ("drug recognition expert") evidence | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Order Remanding for Frye Hearing |
| 2019-10-29 | State v. Martinez | Prosecutor's office's use of body wires on paid informant (anticipated State trial witness) to secretly monitor/record criminal defense attorney's pre-trial interview of informant | App. Div. Opinion | ||
| 2019-10-29 | In the Matter of Registrant G.H.. 240 N.J. 113 (2019) | Retroactive application of amendment barring application for relief from lifetime sex offender registration | Oral Argument | Opinion | |
| 2019-10-04 | In re Belizaire | Grand jury subpoena issued to attorney seeking attorney-client privileged communications | Law Division 10/4/19 Transcript | ||
| 2019-08 | In re Belizaire | Grand jury subpoena issued to attorney seeking attorney-client privileged communications | 7-26-19 Hearing Transcript | Law Division 8/23/19 Opinion | |
| 2019-07 | State v. L.H., 239 N.J. 22 (2019) | Voluntariness of a confession when the police make false promises of leniency | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2019-04 | State v. Andrews (leave to appeal granted by NJ S Ct 4-30-19) | Can defendant be compelled to disclose password to locked cell phone | Amicus Brief in support of M for Leave to Appeal | Oral Argument (Part 1 -- Part 2 at https://bit.ly/2Wr9Csc ) | App. Div. Opinion |
| 2019 | State v. Fowler, 239 N.J. 171 (2019) | Failure to charge jury on self-defense and lesser-included offenses | Oral Argument | Opinion | |
| 2018 | State v. Wint, 236 N.J. 174 (2018) | Did defendant’s invocation of his Miranda rights when first arrested preclude law enforcement from questioning defendant while he was still incarcerated six months later | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2018 | State v Kiriakakis, 235 N.J. 420 (2018) | Whether mandatory-minimum period of parole ineligibility is constitutional | Oral Argument | Opinion | |
| 2018 | State v. J.L.G., 234 N.J. 265 (2018) | Admissibility of expert testimony on Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome (CSAAS) | Oral Argument | Opinion | |
| 2018 | State v. Cassidy, 235 N.J. 482 (2018) | Breath test results produced by Alcotest machines not calibrated using a NIST-traceable thermometer are inadmissible | Opinion | ||
| 2018 | In re Registrant RJ (App. Div. 2018) | Whether judges can make credibility findings based on evidence outside record (witness's testimony from unrelated prior proceeding) | Amicus Brief | App. Div. Opinion | |
| 2017 | State v. S.S., 229 N.J. 360 (2017) | Standard of review of trial court factual findings based solely on video or documentary evidence | Oral Argument | Opinion | |
| 2017 | State v. Robertson, 228 N.J. 138 (2017) | Appropriate standards for a stay of a driver's license suspension in a DWI case | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2017 | Lacaze v. State of Louisiana, U.S. Supreme Court No. 16-1125 | Amicus Brief in Support of Petition | Order | ||
| 2016 | State v. Perry, 225 N.J. 222 (2016) | Admissibility of evidence under Rape Shield Law to support third-party guilt theory and defense of consent | Oral Argument | Opinion | |
| 2016 | State v. Lunsford, 226 N.J. 129 (2016) | Warrant requirement for phone bills | Oral Argument | Opinion | |
| 2016 | State v. Hernandez, 225 N.J. 451 (2016) | Discovery of cooperating witness impeachment evidence | Oral Argument | Opinion | |
| 2015 | State v. Witt, 223 N.J. 409 (2015) | Automobile exception to the warrant requirement | Oral Argument | Opinion | |
| 2015 | State v. Pomianek, 221 N.J. 66 (2015) | NJ bias-intimidation statute unconstitutionally vague and violates Due Process | Oral Argument | Opinion | |
| 2015 | State v. Grate, 220 N.J. 317 (2015) | Mandatory minimum sentence under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(i) is unconstitutional under Alleyne because based on a judicial finding of fact | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2014 | State v. Steele | In setting monetary bail, to what extent, if any, may a court consider the threat a defendant poses to the safety of the community | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Order (dismissed as improvidently granted) |
| 2014 | State v. Jaffe, 220 N.J.114 (2014) | Sentencing court must consider a defendant's relevant post-offense conduct in weighing aggravating and mitigating factors | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2014 | State v. Hreha, 217 N.J. 368 (2014) | Whether promises of leniency can coerce confessions | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion (after re-argument) |
| 2014 | State v. Hreha, 217 N.J. 368 (2014) | Whether promises of leniency can coerce confessions | Amicus Brief | Re-Argument | Opinion (after re-argument) |
| 2014 | State in the Interest of A.B., 219 N.J. 542 (2014) | Whether defendant was properly granted access into the sexual assault victim’s home to inspect the crime scene based on his constitutional right to a meaningful opportunity to present a complete defense in light of the crime victim’s rights | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2014 | O'Boyle v. Borough of Longport, 218 N.J.168 (2014) | Whether documents requested from the Borough are protected from access under the Open Public Records Act because they are protected by the attorney work-product privilege and common interest doctrine | Oral Argument | Opinion | |
| 2014 | In re State Grand Jury Investigation, 217 N.J. 430 (2014) | Should enforcement of grand jury subpoenas seeking defendants’ attorneys’ records in connection with an investigation of defendants’ post-indictment activities await completion of the pending criminal prosecution? | Amicus Brief & Supplemental Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2013 | State v. Tedesco, 214 N.J. 177 (2013) | Authority to compel defendant to be present at sentencing despite waiver of right to be present | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2013 | State v. Scoles, 214 N.J. 236 (2013) | Discovery in child pornography cases | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2013 | State v. Miller, 216 N.J. 40 (2013) | Whether denial of adjournment deprived defendant of effective assistance of counsel | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2013 | State v. Earls, 214 N.J. 564 (2013) | Use of cell phone location info for warrant/plain view exception | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2013 | State v. Bishop, 429 N.J. Super. 533 (App. Div. 2013), aff'd without opinion, 223 N.J. 290 (2015) | Mandatory parole ineligibility and extended term remain applicable at the time of resentencing | App. Div. Opinion | ||
| 2012 | State v. Randolph, 210 N.J. 330 (2012) | Post-conviction pre-sentence rehabilitation evidence at sentencing | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2012 | State v. Harris, 211 N.J. 566 (2012) | Suppression in weapons possession case/Prevention of Domestic Violence Act | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2012 | State v. Gaitan, 209 N.J. 339 (2012) | Retroactive application of Padilla | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2012 | State v. Friedman, 209 N.J. 102 (2012) | Parole after consecutive NERA terms | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2011 | White & Case v. U.S. (U.S. Supreme Court) | Whether federal grand jury subpoena trumps civil protective order | Amicus Brief | Supreme Court Docket | |
| 2011 | State v. W.B., 205 N.J. 588 (2011) | Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome expert testimony | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2011 | State v. Schmidt, 206 N.J. 71 (2011) | DWI: reading of breath test statement | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2011 | State v. Rose, 206 N.J. 141 (2011) | Res gestae | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2011 | State v. Henderson, 208 N.J. 208 (2011) | Eyewitness identification | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2010 | Stengart v. Loving Care, 201 N.J. 300 (2010) | Confidentiality of e-mail with lawyer on work computer | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2010 | State v. Marquez, 202 N.J. 485 (2010) | DWI: implied consent and refusal statutes | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2010 | State v. J.G., 201 N.J. 369 (2010) | Cleric/penitent privilege under NJRE 511 | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2009 | State v. Pena-Flores, 198 N.J. 6 (2009) | Automobile exception to the warrant requirement | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2009 | State v. Osorio,199 N.J. 486 (2009) | Bias in jury selection | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2009 | State v. Nunez-Valdez, 200 N.J. 129 (2009) | Ineffective assistance regarding immigration advice | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2009 | State v. Cohen (App. Div. 2009) | Discovery in child pornography cases | Amicus Brief | App. Div. Opinion | |
| 2009 | State v. Byrd, 198 N.J. 219 (2009) | Forfeiture-by-wrongdoing exception to hearsay rule | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2009 | In re State Grand Jury Investigation, 200 N.J. 481 (2009) | Employer designated as a grand jury "target" providing and paying for separate counsel for its employees during that grand jury inquiry | Opinion | ||
| 2008 | State v. Sweet, 195 N.J. 357 (2008) | Crawford confrontation right re: breathalyzer in DWI case | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2008 | State v. Reid, 194 N.J. 386 (2008) | Internet subscribers' reasonable expectation of privacy in identity | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2008 | State v. Cottle, 194 N.J. 449 (2008) | Conflict where attorney prosecuted by same prosecutor as client | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2008 | State v. Chun, 194 N.J. 54 (2008) | DWI: accuracy and reliability of Alcotest breathalyzer | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument (see also bit.ly/14etLgZ) | Opinion |
| 2008 | State ex rel. J.A., 195 N.J. 324 (2008) | Hearsay and Sixth Amendment confrontation right | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2007 | State v. Meyer, 192 N.J. 421 (2007) | Access to county drug court programs | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2007 | State v. Dispoto, 189 N.J. 108 (2007) | Re-administration of Miranda warnings following pre-custodial warnings | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2006 | State v. Webster, 187 N.J. 254 (2006) | Duty of PCR counsel to argue pro se claims | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2006 | State v. Morrison, 188 N.J. 2 (2006) | Holding evidence insufficient to convict for distribution of narcotics where individuals involved have joint possession | Opinion | ||
| 2006 | State v. Moore, 188 N.J. 182 (2006) | Hypnotically-refreshed testimony inadmisible at criminal trials | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2006 | State v. Jimenez, 188 N.J. 390 (2006) | Procedures to be followed when capital defendant raises a claim of mental retardation | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2006 | State v. Dunlap, 185 N.J. 543 (2006) | Search incident to arrest/automobile exception | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2006 | State v. Delgado, 188 N.J. 48 (2006) | Police must record out-of-court identification procedures | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2006 | State v. Berezansky, 386 N.J. Super. 84 (App. Div. 2006), appeal dismissed, 196 N.J. 82 (2008) | Crawford confrontation right re: BAC in DWI case | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | App. Div. Opinion |
| 2005 | State v. Natale ("Natale II"), 184 N.J. 458 (2005) | Presumptive terms eliminated to comply with Blakely v. Washington | Amicus Brief | Oral Argument | Opinion |
| 2005 | State v. Franklin, 184 N.J. 516 (2005) | Imposition of sentence beyond statutory maximum based on judicial factfinding violated Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment rights under Apprendi | Opinion | ||
| 2005 | State v. Feaster, 184 N.J. 235 (2005) | Prosecutor's threat to prosecute witness for perjury if he testified in defendant's favor deprived defendant of critical witness | Opinion | ||
| 2004 | State v. Reiner, 180 N.J. 307 (2004) | DWI: 2d-offender school zone penalty | Amicus Brief | Opinion | |
| 2004 | State v. Cook, 179 N.J. 533 (2004) | Established committee to make recommendations re: use of electronic audio and video recording of custodial interrogations | Amicus Brief | Opinion | |
| 2004 | In re Seelig, 180 N.J. 234 (2004) | Lawyer's ethical duties to disclose information to court | Opinion | ||
| 2003 | State v. Rivera, 175 N.J. 612 (2003) | Hearsay statement by co-defendant to police officers at time of arrest so inherently unreliable that its admission violated defendant's right to confrontation | Opinion | ||
| 2003 | State v. Natale ("Natale I"), 178 N.J. 51 (2003) | Constitutionality of No Early Release Act ("NERA") | Amicus Brief | Opinion | |
| 2003 | State v. Goodwin, 173 N.J. 583 (2003) | Whether second petition for post-conviction relief barred by Rule 3:22-12 | Opinion | ||
| 2003 | State v. A.G.D. | Waiver of Miranda rights invalid if State fails to inform suspect that criminal complaint or arrest warrant has been filed or issued | Opinion | ||
| 2002 | State v. Stott, 171 N.J. 343 (2002) | Unreasonable searches in hospital/self-incrimination | Amicus Brief | Opinion | |
| 2002 | State v. Carty, 170 N.J. 632 (2002) | Consent search of motor vehicles | Amicus Brief | Opinion | |
| 2001-05 | State v. Allah, 170 N.J. 269 (2002) (reply) | Failure to raise double jeopardy defense prior to trial ineffective | Reply Brief | Opinion | |
| 2001-04 | State v. Allah, 170 N.J. 269 (2002) | Failure to raise double jeopardy defense prior to trial ineffective | Amicus Brief | Opinion | |
| 2001 | State v. Williams, 169 N.J. 349 (2001) | Decedent's statement admissible as declaration against penal interest | Amicus Brief | Opinion | |
| 2000 | In re Proportionality Review Project (II), 165 N.J. 206 (2000) | Proportionality phase of death penalty review | Opinion | ||
| 1999 | State v. Collier, 162 N.J. 27 (1999) | Where other-crimes evidence is otherwise admissible but involves inflammatory and unduly prejudicial facts, evidence must be sanitized as necessary to accommodate both State's right to establish fact in issue and defendant's right to fair trial | Opinion | ||
| 1998 | State v. Branch, 155 N.J. 317 (1998) | Defendant may not be convicted of felony murder without fair notice, at time of trial, of predicate felony used to satisfy requirements of felony-murder statute | Opinion |
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