Producing or possessing material that depicts the sexual exploitation of a minor is a felony offense in the state of New Jersey, leading to 15-30 years in prison. New Jersey laws aren't the only ones you have to worry about, though. Federal laws against the production, distribution, and possessio...

Smart tech is taking over our homes. Just five or ten years ago, the technology in our homes was pretty much limited to computers, tablets, and phones. Now, it has seeped into every room of the house. Doorbell cameras monitor the exterior of houses all down the block. Refrigerators have video scr...

In the mid-1970s, recognition that someone could be raped by a romantic partner began entering the public consciousness. Previously, rape was commonly thought of as a crime typically committed by a stranger. Today, date rape—a rape that occurs in the context of a personal, romantic relationship o...

It's one of those nightmare scenarios that make parents lose sleep at night. A call comes from your kid's school, from another parent, or sometimes the police are at the door: your child is being accused of engaging in some kind of sexual behavior – improper touching or sex acts, for example – wi...

The United States Citizen and Immigration Services Department describes an F-1 Visa as a visa that "allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or ...

If you have a criminal record, you may be wondering whether your criminal history will hurt your ability to secure housing and build financial security. If you are attempting to reintegrate into society after incarceration or probation, you may find that your prior convictions are now barriers to...

If you are facing the uphill challenge of crafting a defense in a temporary or a permanent restraining order matter, you may be wondering what impact these orders could potentially have on your life. New Jersey state law takes restraining order matters very seriously, and court orders can have dr...

If you have a criminal record, you may be wondering whether your criminal history will hurt your ability to receive scholarships and financial aid. Although a criminal record can impact your ability to receive maximum scholarships and aid, all is not lost, and a clean slate is within your reach! ...

In New Jersey's court system, restraining orders are commonly used in domestic violence situations to help someone stay safe from the person they have accused of hurting or harassing them. If someone is trying to get a restraining order against you, it's important to understand the evidence that ...

Navigating workplace relationships can be extremely challenging. Throughout the week, we spend more time with our co-workers than we do with our family. Like our family, co-workers observe us and can learn just what to say to ruin our day or strike at our anxieties. Reactions are human, and you m...

If someone has accused you of stalking, it can feel like more than a legal charge—it can feel like a black mark against your moral character. Stalking is a charge that carries a lot of weight in our society, especially in this current cultural moment. But these accusations are often not clear-cut...

Break-ups can range from mutual and peaceful to messy and revengeful, resulting in unhinged behavior. Although the term "crazy ex-girlfriend" is often thrown around as a joke to reference exes who make petty comments or kick you off their Netflix account, some exes can take their revenge and para...

Recent press reports that an increase in out-of-control partying, drinking, drug use, and fighting by underage teens at the Jersey Shore has led multiple lawmakers to propose a reversal of recent criminal justice reforms. The reforms, which prevent police from searching underage offenders, are m...

Child abuse charges generally can relate to incidents of exploitation, physical abuse, or sexual abuse, as well as neglect, abandonment, or isolation from social contact. In some jurisdictions, child abuse laws specifically address emotional abuse and neglect as separate offenses, while in others...

In the best case, when an individual is charged with or convicted of an offense, they can move on from the experience, even if it includes incarceration or some other penalty or fine, and become a productive, law-abiding citizen. The sincerest efforts to walk the straight and narrow can be hamper...

Parenting is an ever-evolving journey and one that often takes us back to our childhood wounds. Although you may hear of other parents using alternative forms of discipline or redirection to improve their child's behavior, you may struggle with where to begin this process. Taking this step is eve...

Working with K-12 students in a school setting in New Jersey can be very rewarding. While teachers have the highest profile in that setting, there are many adults in other roles who enrich the school experience for students. Volunteers who give their time in the classroom or cafeteria are often b...

We all know someone who is quick to anger and who may lash out at the nearest unlucky soul—in other words, people who inspired the expression “Don't shoot the messenger!” The latest local example is a Jersey City woman who assaulted two police officers, landing all three of them in the hospital ...

“Neglect of a child” in New Jersey includes failing to provide the child with “proper” “medical attendance or surgical treatment.” “Cruelty to a child” includes “any willful act” that causes the child to suffer unnecessary physical or mental pain. A parent or caregiver who repeatedly subjects a ...

Many of us are spending more time online than ever before. This is especially true of children and young adults—according to the Pew Research Center, 97 percent of teens are on the internet at least once a day, and 46 percent say they are online "almost constantly." For many of us, the internet h...

In his play “No Exit,” Jean-Paul Sartre famously observes that “Hell is other people.” There's no question that other people's choices and behavior can be maddening. Yet, no matter how crazy someone else makes you feel, if you're subject to the terms of a restraining order that protects them from...

Anger is one of the most common human emotions, and it's something we all feel when life is difficult or unfair. However, anger can become overwhelming or even harmful if it starts to take over your life or causes you to act out in negative ways against friends and family—and in some cases, it ca...

Having a criminal record can affect many areas of your life, even after you get out of jail, pay your fines, or complete your required probation. You may find it's tougher to get a job, and your record can affect other areas of your life as well. Those with criminal records often find it difficu...

Fitness professional Bill Phillips once mused that “Stress should be a powerful driving force, not an obstacle.” Although it's true that stress can be used as a life-altering motivator, it can also become an obstacle when factors beyond an individual's control are driving that stress. For example...

Being accused of neglecting or harming your children is any parent's worst nightmare. Unfortunately, these accusations occur far too often, including many accusations that are false and unfounded. In New Jersey, anyone can contact the Department of Children's Services (DCS) and anonymously make a...