Verdict . News

Dec 2, 2025•4 min read

•New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled that personal guarantees require unambiguous manifestation of intent to be personally bound

New Jersey Supreme Court: Single Signature Can Create Dual Corporate and Personal Liability

The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a single signature on a credit agreement can simultaneously bind both a company and its representative personally as guarantor. The December 2, 2025 decision in *Extech Building Materials, Inc. v. E&N Construction, Inc.* clarifies standards for personal guarantees in corporate contract disputes.

•Case involved ambiguous credit agreement language where corporate president's signature created liability questions

Nov 20, 2025•4 min read

•New Jersey Supreme Court held that Shaken Baby Syndrome expert testimony lacks scientific reliability for criminal trials

New Jersey Supreme Court Bars Shaken Baby Syndrome Expert Testimony

The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that expert testimony on Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma lacks sufficient scientific reliability to be presented to juries in criminal cases. The decision affects two fathers who were charged with child abuse after their children exhibited classic symptoms associated with the syndrome.

•Two fathers charged with child abuse after children showed classic SBS symptoms successfully challenged expert testimony

Oct 27, 2025•4 min read

•Wilkerson's victory margin was reduced from three to two votes after a court-ordered recount

NJ Supreme Court Affirms Election Dispute Resolution in Roselle Race

The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously affirmed a lower court's decision in a contested Democratic primary for Roselle Borough Council. The case involved a recount that reduced the winning margin from three to two votes and ultimately led to the Democratic County Committee selecting the party nominee.

•Trial court found three voters were improperly denied voting rights but avoided ordering new election

Oct 23, 2025•4 min read

•Judge has been disqualified from DWI cases since November 2016 due to his own arrest and misconduct

NJ Municipal Judge Seeks End to 9-Year DWI Case Disqualification

Municipal Court Judge Wilfredo Benitez has petitioned the New Jersey Supreme Court to lift his disqualification from hearing driving while intoxicated cases, which has been in effect since November 2016. The Court is considering his motion to reconsider an April 2025 denial of his reinstatement request.

•Court censured judge in 2018 for trying to leverage judicial position during DWI arrest

Sep 3, 2025•4 min read

•Appeals court granted state's motion to appeal evidence suppression ruling on Aug. 5, 2025

NJ Appeals Court Grants State's Motion to Appeal DVR Evidence Ruling

The New Jersey Appellate Division granted the state's motion for leave to appeal a trial court's decision to suppress digital video recorder evidence in the 2018 quadruple homicide case against Paul J. Caneiro. The ruling allows prosecutors to challenge a June 2025 order that excluded DVR contents seized during a warrantless search of Caneiro's garage.

•Case involves DVR evidence seized without warrant from defendant's garage in 2018 quadruple homicide

Aug 11, 2025•4 min read

•Court examined whether 1997 Parole Act amendment violated ex post facto protections when applied to pre-1997 crimes

NJ Supreme Court Rules on Ex Post Facto Challenge to Parole Review

The New Jersey Supreme Court decided a constitutional challenge regarding the State Parole Board's authority to consider all available information about inmates during parole hearings. Fred Krug, incarcerated since 1973, argued that applying a 1997 amendment expanding review powers violated ex post facto protections.

•Fred Krug, incarcerated since 1973, challenged Board's consideration of all records rather than just new information

Aug 7, 2025•4 min read

•New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled false light invasion of privacy claims must be filed within one year

NJ Supreme Court: False Light Privacy Claims Face One-Year Filing Limit

The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled that false light invasion of privacy claims must be filed within one year, aligning them with defamation claims rather than personal injury lawsuits. The decision emerged from a case involving false drug dealing accusations at a school basketball game.

•The decision aligns false light claims with defamation lawsuits rather than personal injury cases

Aug 6, 2025•4 min read

•New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously established the standard of review for Graves Act waiver denial challenges

NJ Supreme Court Sets Standard for Graves Act Waiver Review

The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously established the appropriate standard of review for challenging a prosecutor's denial of a Graves Act waiver in *State v. Delshon J. Taylor Jr.* The decision clarifies how courts should evaluate prosecutorial discretion in mandatory minimum gun sentencing cases.

•Case involved defendant who fled police while carrying loaded semi-automatic handgun with hollow point bullets

Aug 5, 2025•4 min read

•New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled enhanced weapons charges under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(j) don't trigger Graves Act parole restrictions

NJ Supreme Court: Enhanced Gun Possession Charges Not Subject to Graves Act

The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled in State v. Cromedy that defendants convicted under an enhanced weapons possession statute are not subject to mandatory parole disqualification under the Graves Act. The decision clarifies sentencing requirements for repeat weapons offenders.

•Court distinguished between underlying weapons offenses and enhanced provisions for repeat offenders