In this issue:
1. Requires court to conduct inquiry at prosecutor’s request concerning source of bail funds where defendant is charged with crime with bail restrictions.
2- HELP WANTED HTML Clerk to set up webpages
3 Wills, The New Probate Law & Estate Administration Program- last chance to attend Monday, March 19, 2007 7 - 8:30 P.M.
4. Police can ask for consent of home.
1.
Governor Jon S. Corzine also took action on the following legislation.
A-2987/S-2012 (Watson Coleman, Steele, Johnson, Chivukula, Conaway/Turner, Girgenti) – Requires court to conduct inquiry at prosecutor’s request concerning source of bail funds where defendant is charged with crime with bail restrictions.
2- HELP WANTED HTML Clerk to set up webpages
Law Office Edison
Growing Law Office needs Clerk to update website and help with law office. We sponsor a state wide website with information on litigation, personal injury, criminal and probate matters. Clerk/ programmer needed to update website. Applicants must have familiarity with HTML programming, web page design/ maintenance and Internet technology. If you can update a website, this is the job for you. Please indicate so in the first paragraph of your cover letter. $10.00 an hour start. Work 20 hours per week Monday- Thursday. You select the hours. Fax resume & cover letter to the Law Office of Kenneth Fax 732-572-0030
Great opportunity to obtain legal experience.
GENERAL DUTIES [Not included in Crit advertisement]
-General Office duties in Law Office
-Update mailing/ client lists and learn marketing
-Prepare correspondence to Law Journals and New Jersey Media with
Revised .-Provide copies of published articles to Judges, Prosecutors and other
New Jersey professionals.
-Ideal for person interested in the legal field, law enforcement or public relations/ media
-Occasional Telephone Answering
Must be dependable and committed to perfection for clients
Kenneth A. Vercammen, Esq.
3. Wills, The New Probate Law, Estate Administration & Elder Law
New Probate Law Effective 2006!
WHERE: Edison High School Community Adult Education
WHEN: Monday, March 19, 2007 7 - 8:30 P.M.
Please note, the Edison Board of Education is discontinuing its Community Adult Education program. This is your last opportunity to attend.
SPEAKER: Kenneth Vercammen, Esq. of Edison
(Co-Author- NJ Elder Law & Probate)
- So you don't have a Will. You won't live forever and you can't take it with you. What should you do?
Main Topics:
1. Wills and the 2006 changes to the NJ Probate Law
2. Power of Attorney
3. Living Will
4. Administering the Estate/ Probate/Surrogate
5. Estate Planning
6. Revocable Trusts/ Irrevocable Trusts
7. Federal HIPAA Regulations on release of medical info
8. Federal Estate Tax
9. Question and Answer
COMPLIMENTARY MATERIAL: Brochures on Wills, "Probate and Administration of an Estate", Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Real Estate Sales for Seniors, and Trusts.
Here is your opportunity to listen to an experienced attorney who will answer questions how to distribute your property and avoid many rigid provisions of state law. For more information on Elder law, visit the Website www.njlaws.com.
EDISON COMMUNITY ADULT SCHOOL.
EDISON HIGH SCHOOL, Room 193, 50 Blvd. of Eagles, Edison, NJ
732-452-4574 John Russell, Director
-Free for Edison Seniors who pre register
$25 registration fee required by adult school for all others. Call the Adult Education Office for registration information 732-452-4574
4. Police can ask for consent of home. State v. Domicz 188 N.J. 285 (2006)
The court held Under the circumstances, the warrantless thermal scan and seizure of electricity records did not constitute prior unlawful conduct that could tainted the later search. Grand jury subpoena procedures adequately protect any privacy interest in utility records. Law enforcement officers are not required to have a reasonable and articulable suspicion that criminal activity is occurring within a home before seeking consent to search the residence.
Upcoming charity races:
3/18/2007 St. Paddy's 10 Mile Race & Leprechuan 5k 10 mile 10am, 5k, 10:15am Freehold NJ 732-431-2627 Free beer, Free food, long sleeve shirt USATF Sponsored by Freehold Area Running Club FARC www.farcnj.com
3/24/2007 CASC 5K 9:30 Hightstown NJ 732-742-6868
For more events visit www.metrorace.com
_____________________________
Our law blog- http://njlaws1.blogspot.com/
Thank you for reading our newsletter! God Bless America USA #1
We appreciate continued referrals. We want to take the time to extend to our friends and clients our sincere gratitude because it is good friends and clients that make our business grow. Client recommendation is a very important source of new clients to us. We are grateful for the recommendation of new clients. We will do our best to give all clients excellent care. We shall do our best to justify all recommendations.
"Celebrating more than 21 years of providing excellent service to clients 1985-2007" Former Prosecutor
This newsletter is produced to be sent electronically. If you know someone who would also like to receive this email newsletter, please have them email us at newsletter@njlaws.com.
Free T- shirts and soda can holders available for all current and past clients. Please come into office.
Editor's Note and Disclaimer: All materials Copyright 2007. You may pass along the information on the NJ Laws Newsletter and website, provided the name and address of the Law Office is included.
KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
website: www.njlaws.com
Admitted to practice law in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, US Supreme Court and Federal District Court
Monday, February 26, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Judge releases findings regarding Alcotest DWI machine
After months of testimony and hearing, Court Special master Michael Patrick King rederered Findings and Conclusions Submitted to Supreme Court on February 13, 2007 regarding the DWI Alcotest machine.
I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The case arises from quasi-criminal actions involving
twenty defendants who were arrested in Middlesex County for
driving while under the influence of alcohol in violation of
N.J.S.A. 39:4-50. Defendants challenged the admissibility and
reliability of breath test results obtained from the Alcotest
7110 MKIII-C, firmware version NJ 3.11 (Alcotest 7110).
On October 14, 2005 the Law Division granted the State's
motion to consolidate the cases pending as of May 23, 2005 in
several Middlesex County municipal courts. Among other things,
Judge Cantor denied the State's motion to take judicial notice
of the opinion in State v. Foley, 370 N.J. Super. 341, 359 (Law
Div. 2003), which ruled that the Alcotest 7110 MKIII-C was
scientifically accurate and reliable and that its reported
readings would be admitted into evidence without the need for
expert testimony. At the time of Foley, New Jersey was using
firmware version 3.8.
In her written statement of November 10, 2005 Judge Cantor
explained that the Alcotest 7110 MKIII-C was a new instrument
adopted throughout New Jersey on a county-by-county basis on a
sequential timetable. She emphasized that only the Camden
County, Law Division in Foley had found it scientifically
reliable and that Judge Orlando, in dictum, had concluded that
New Jersey should make certain changes in the instrument's
firmware and the instructions given to its users. Ibid.
Because the Alcotest 7110 MKIII-C was a novel scientific
instrument which had never been vetted by an appellate court or
our Supreme Court, Judge Cantor concluded that its scientific
reliability remained a justiciable issue.
On December 1, 2005 the Appellate Division granted the
State's motion for leave to appeal and denied its motion for a
summary reversal. The Appellate Division remanded the matter to
the trial court for an accelerated hearing on the validity of
breath tests for alcohol, obtained through the use of Alcotest
instruments.
On December 14, 2005 our Supreme Court certified the appeal
pending in the Appellate Division on its own motion pursuant to
R. 2:12-1. The Court vacated the remand to the Law Division and
remanded the matter to retired Appellate Division Judge Michael
Patrick King, to preside as a Special Master. The Court ordered
the Special Master to conduct a hearing and report his findings
and conclusions on an accelerated basis.
The Court ordered the Special Master to:
1. Conduct a plenary hearing on the
reliability of Alcotest breath test
instruments, including consideration of the
pertinent portions of the record in State v.
Foley, 370 N.J. Super. 341 (Law Div. 2003),
and the within matters in the Superior
Court, Law Division, Middlesex County,
together with such additional expert
testimony and arguments as may be presented
by the parties;
2. Determine whether the testimony
presented by the parties should be
supplemented by that of independent experts
selected by the Special Master;
3. Grant, in the Special Master's
discretion, motions by appropriate entities
seeking to participate as amici curiae, said
motions to be filed with the Special Master
within ten days of the filing date of this
Order;
4. Invite, in the Special Master's
discretion, the participation of entities or
persons as amici curiae or, to the extent
necessary in the interests of justice, as
intervenors to assist the Special Master in
the resolution of the issues before him; and
5. Within thirty days of the completion of
the plenary hearing, file findings and
conclusions with the Clerk of the Court and
contemporaneously serve a copy on the
7
parties and amici curiae, which service may
be effectuated by the posting of the report
on the Judiciary's website . . . .
The Court also ordered the parties, and permitted all amici
curiae who participated in the plenary hearing, to serve and
file initial briefs within fourteen days of the filing of the
Special Master's report as well as responses, if any, within ten
days. It further ordered the Clerk to set the matter for oral
argument on the first available date after completion of
briefing by the parties. Finally, the Court ordered the stay of
N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 proceedings pending in Middlesex County, and
directed all Superior and Municipal Court judges before whom
such proceedings were pending, to ensure strict enforcement of
the Court's Guidelines for Operation of Plea Agreements in the
Municipal Courts of New Jersey.
On January 9, 2006 the Special Master granted to the
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey (ACDL)
leave to appear as amicus curiae. On January 23, 2006 the
Special Master also admitted the New Jersey State Bar
Association (NJSBA) as amicus curiae, under R. 1:13-9, in view
of the matter's public importance.
On January 10, 2006 the Court sua sponte issued an order
addressing issues that affected the prosecution of N.J.S.A.
39:4-50 offenses statewide. The Court ordered all prosecutions
and appeals which did not involve the Alcotest 7110 to proceed
in the normal course. The Court, however, ordered the stay of
prosecutions and appeals involving repeat offenders and the
execution of their sentences where the convictions were based
solely on Alcotest readings. The Court also ordered that first-
offender prosecutions proceed to trial based on clinical
evidence when available and on Alcotest readings. It ordered,
however, that the execution of sentences for all first offenders
be stayed pending disposition of the Court's final decision on
the Alcotest 7110's reliability, unless public interest required
their immediate implementation.
As explained by the Administrative Director, Judge
Carchman, in a clarifying memorandum to municipal court judges
dated January 17, 2006, a court could admit evidence of an
Alcotest reading, over the objection of defense counsel, without
first holding a hearing on the instrument's scientific
reliability. He further explained that under N.J.S.A. 39:4-
50(a)(2) and (3), the penalty for repeat offenders was the same
whether the finding of guilt was based on observation or blood
alcohol levels. However, for first offenders, the penalty could
vary, making the Alcotest reliability hearing of fundamental
importance.
On March 15, 2006 the Court entered an order directing the
Special Master to designate an independent expert or experts.
Upon deliberation and consultation with the parties and amici
curiae, the Special Master determined that a court-appointed
expert was not necessary for proof purposes, especially because
of the quasi-criminal nature of the proceedings.
Meanwhile, discovery proceeded. On February 3, 2006 the
Special Master entered an order directing the State to give
defendants certain information, documents and materials
pertaining to the Alcotest 7110's firmware, software,
algorithms, electronic schematics, and source codes. Among
other things, the discovery order recognized that the exchange
of firmware and software might require a protective order to be
submitted by the State or manufacturer for court approval. On
February 17, 2006 the Special Master entered a supplemental
discovery order directing the State to lend three Alcotest 7110s
to defense counsel and one to counsel for the amicus NJSBA.
Among other things, the supplemental discovery order also
allowed the manufacturer Draeger Safety Diagnostics, Inc.
(Draeger) to apply to intervene in this matter, especially
because of the issue of "trade secrets."
Draeger objected to the discovery orders claiming that they
permitted the release of trade secrets and proprietary
information. On February 23, 2006 Draeger's intellectual
property counsel prepared a proposed protective order and sent
it to the State for submission to the court.
Draeger's proposal
included a request for indemnification from defense counsel. In
response to defendants' objections to Draeger's initial draft
I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The case arises from quasi-criminal actions involving
twenty defendants who were arrested in Middlesex County for
driving while under the influence of alcohol in violation of
N.J.S.A. 39:4-50. Defendants challenged the admissibility and
reliability of breath test results obtained from the Alcotest
7110 MKIII-C, firmware version NJ 3.11 (Alcotest 7110).
On October 14, 2005 the Law Division granted the State's
motion to consolidate the cases pending as of May 23, 2005 in
several Middlesex County municipal courts. Among other things,
Judge Cantor denied the State's motion to take judicial notice
of the opinion in State v. Foley, 370 N.J. Super. 341, 359 (Law
Div. 2003), which ruled that the Alcotest 7110 MKIII-C was
scientifically accurate and reliable and that its reported
readings would be admitted into evidence without the need for
expert testimony. At the time of Foley, New Jersey was using
firmware version 3.8.
In her written statement of November 10, 2005 Judge Cantor
explained that the Alcotest 7110 MKIII-C was a new instrument
adopted throughout New Jersey on a county-by-county basis on a
sequential timetable. She emphasized that only the Camden
County, Law Division in Foley had found it scientifically
reliable and that Judge Orlando, in dictum, had concluded that
New Jersey should make certain changes in the instrument's
firmware and the instructions given to its users. Ibid.
Because the Alcotest 7110 MKIII-C was a novel scientific
instrument which had never been vetted by an appellate court or
our Supreme Court, Judge Cantor concluded that its scientific
reliability remained a justiciable issue.
On December 1, 2005 the Appellate Division granted the
State's motion for leave to appeal and denied its motion for a
summary reversal. The Appellate Division remanded the matter to
the trial court for an accelerated hearing on the validity of
breath tests for alcohol, obtained through the use of Alcotest
instruments.
On December 14, 2005 our Supreme Court certified the appeal
pending in the Appellate Division on its own motion pursuant to
R. 2:12-1. The Court vacated the remand to the Law Division and
remanded the matter to retired Appellate Division Judge Michael
Patrick King, to preside as a Special Master. The Court ordered
the Special Master to conduct a hearing and report his findings
and conclusions on an accelerated basis.
The Court ordered the Special Master to:
1. Conduct a plenary hearing on the
reliability of Alcotest breath test
instruments, including consideration of the
pertinent portions of the record in State v.
Foley, 370 N.J. Super. 341 (Law Div. 2003),
and the within matters in the Superior
Court, Law Division, Middlesex County,
together with such additional expert
testimony and arguments as may be presented
by the parties;
2. Determine whether the testimony
presented by the parties should be
supplemented by that of independent experts
selected by the Special Master;
3. Grant, in the Special Master's
discretion, motions by appropriate entities
seeking to participate as amici curiae, said
motions to be filed with the Special Master
within ten days of the filing date of this
Order;
4. Invite, in the Special Master's
discretion, the participation of entities or
persons as amici curiae or, to the extent
necessary in the interests of justice, as
intervenors to assist the Special Master in
the resolution of the issues before him; and
5. Within thirty days of the completion of
the plenary hearing, file findings and
conclusions with the Clerk of the Court and
contemporaneously serve a copy on the
7
parties and amici curiae, which service may
be effectuated by the posting of the report
on the Judiciary's website . . . .
The Court also ordered the parties, and permitted all amici
curiae who participated in the plenary hearing, to serve and
file initial briefs within fourteen days of the filing of the
Special Master's report as well as responses, if any, within ten
days. It further ordered the Clerk to set the matter for oral
argument on the first available date after completion of
briefing by the parties. Finally, the Court ordered the stay of
N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 proceedings pending in Middlesex County, and
directed all Superior and Municipal Court judges before whom
such proceedings were pending, to ensure strict enforcement of
the Court's Guidelines for Operation of Plea Agreements in the
Municipal Courts of New Jersey.
On January 9, 2006 the Special Master granted to the
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey (ACDL)
leave to appear as amicus curiae. On January 23, 2006 the
Special Master also admitted the New Jersey State Bar
Association (NJSBA) as amicus curiae, under R. 1:13-9, in view
of the matter's public importance.
On January 10, 2006 the Court sua sponte issued an order
addressing issues that affected the prosecution of N.J.S.A.
39:4-50 offenses statewide. The Court ordered all prosecutions
and appeals which did not involve the Alcotest 7110 to proceed
in the normal course. The Court, however, ordered the stay of
prosecutions and appeals involving repeat offenders and the
execution of their sentences where the convictions were based
solely on Alcotest readings. The Court also ordered that first-
offender prosecutions proceed to trial based on clinical
evidence when available and on Alcotest readings. It ordered,
however, that the execution of sentences for all first offenders
be stayed pending disposition of the Court's final decision on
the Alcotest 7110's reliability, unless public interest required
their immediate implementation.
As explained by the Administrative Director, Judge
Carchman, in a clarifying memorandum to municipal court judges
dated January 17, 2006, a court could admit evidence of an
Alcotest reading, over the objection of defense counsel, without
first holding a hearing on the instrument's scientific
reliability. He further explained that under N.J.S.A. 39:4-
50(a)(2) and (3), the penalty for repeat offenders was the same
whether the finding of guilt was based on observation or blood
alcohol levels. However, for first offenders, the penalty could
vary, making the Alcotest reliability hearing of fundamental
importance.
On March 15, 2006 the Court entered an order directing the
Special Master to designate an independent expert or experts.
Upon deliberation and consultation with the parties and amici
curiae, the Special Master determined that a court-appointed
expert was not necessary for proof purposes, especially because
of the quasi-criminal nature of the proceedings.
Meanwhile, discovery proceeded. On February 3, 2006 the
Special Master entered an order directing the State to give
defendants certain information, documents and materials
pertaining to the Alcotest 7110's firmware, software,
algorithms, electronic schematics, and source codes. Among
other things, the discovery order recognized that the exchange
of firmware and software might require a protective order to be
submitted by the State or manufacturer for court approval. On
February 17, 2006 the Special Master entered a supplemental
discovery order directing the State to lend three Alcotest 7110s
to defense counsel and one to counsel for the amicus NJSBA.
Among other things, the supplemental discovery order also
allowed the manufacturer Draeger Safety Diagnostics, Inc.
(Draeger) to apply to intervene in this matter, especially
because of the issue of "trade secrets."
Draeger objected to the discovery orders claiming that they
permitted the release of trade secrets and proprietary
information. On February 23, 2006 Draeger's intellectual
property counsel prepared a proposed protective order and sent
it to the State for submission to the court.
Draeger's proposal
included a request for indemnification from defense counsel. In
response to defendants' objections to Draeger's initial draft
Saturday, February 03, 2007
NJ Laws Newsletter E326 January 28, 2007
Kenneth Vercammen's NJ Laws email newsletter E236
January 28, 2007
In this issue:
1. 2007 Medicaid, Public Benefits and Tax Numbers
2 Recent cases: Crawford case requires a Witness must appear in court to testify.
3. In Passaic County, 3rd offender DWI can serve jail on weekends
4. Irreconcilable Differences Divorce Legislation Becomes Law
5. Accident reports must now be provided by Police via fax request
1. 2007 Medicaid, Public Benefits and Tax Numbers
By Thomas D. Begley, Jr., Esquire
Every year selected public benefits and tax numbers change. These are indexed to the cost of living. Here are some of the important numbers for 2007:
Medicaid
$1,869 Income Cap
$101,640 Maximum CSRA
$20,328 Minimum CSRA
$2,541 Maximum MMMNA
$1650 MMMNA (until July 1, 2007)
$495 Excess Shelter Allowance (until July 1, 2007)
Social Security
3.3% Social Security Increase
$623 SSI – Single
$934 SSI – Couple
$900 SGA - Disabled
$1,500 SGA – Blind
Medicare
$124 Medicare Co-Payment – NSF
$93.50 Medicare Part B Standard Premium (less than $80,000 income)
Medicare Part B –Related Premium
$106 Medicare Part B ($80,000-$100,000 income)
$124.70 Medicare Part B ($100,000-$150,000 income)
$143.40 Medicare Part B ($150,000-$200,000 income)
$162.10 Medicare Part B (more than $200,000 income)
Married and filing separate return
$143.40 Medicare Part B ($80,000-$120,000 income)
$162.10 Medicare Part B (more than $120,000
$131 Medicare Part B Deductible
$992 Medicare Part A Deductible
Tax
$12,000 Annual Gift Tax Exclusion
$125,000 Gifts to Non-Citizen Spouse
$10,450 Maximum Tax Estates and Trust
$2,000,000 Federal Estate Tax Exemption
$3,400.00 Personal Exemption *
$97,500 Max SSA Wage Base
PAAD/Senior Gold – NJ Prescription Plan
$22,572 PAAD Single Limit
$27,676 PAAD Married Limit
$32,572 Senior Gold Single Limit
$37,676 Senior Gold Married Limit
Eligible Long-Term Care Insurance
$290 40 or less
$550 more than 40 but not more than 50
$1,110 more than 50 but not more than 60
$2,950 more than 60 but not more than 70
$3,680 more than 70
*Subject to phase out for income above certain levels for various types of filers.
Begley & Bookbinder, P.C. is an Elder & Disability Law Firm with offices in Moorestown, Stone Harbor and Lawrenceville, New Jersey and can be contacted at 800-533-7227. The firm services southern and central New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.
See the NJ Elder Law blog: http://elder-law.blogspot.com/
2 Recent cases: Crawford case requires a Witness must appear in court to testify. State v Buda __ N.J. Super. __ (App. Div. 2006) Appellate Division, A-4778-04T4
An excited utterance made by a child abuse victim to a DYFS worker at a hospital, although admissible under state evidence law, is inadmissible in this case as a result of evolving federal constitutional jurisprudence under Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 124 S. Ct. 1354, 158 L. Ed. 2d 177 (2004), and Davis v. Washington, __ U.S. __, 126 S. Ct. 2266, 165 L. Ed. 2d 224 (2006).
3. In Passaic County, 3rd offender DWI can serve jail on weekends. State v. Grabowski 388 N.J. Super. 431 (Law Div., Passaic County, 2006.)
A defendant who is convicted of third and subsequent driving-while-intoxicated offenses may be sentenced to periodic imprisonment pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2B:12-22. State v. Luthe distinguished. Source: Facts-on-Call Order No. 93229
Note: There is an AOC memo sent to Judges directing immediate jail, but the memo is not available to the public online
4. Irreconcilable Differences Divorce Legislation Becomes Law
On January 20, 2007, Governor Corzine signed into law S-1467 (Scutari/Gill/Bateman/Cohen/Vas), which adds news causes of action for divorce based on irreconcilable differences. The new law is P.L. 2007, c.6 and takes effect immediately. Kenneth Vercammen is a member of the NJ State Bar Association, which had been working with several key groups and lobbied successfully to seek passage of this legislation since the 1995 Commission to Study the Law of Divorce issued its report. The commission recommended a new ground for divorce of "irreconcilable differences to alleviate the need for allegations as may be used to substantiate other causes. The allegation which may be of a nature that set a tone of bitterness and accusations." Additional information can be obtained from the Legislature's website www.njleg.state.nj.us
5. Accident reports must now be provided by Police via fax request
Personal appearance not required
Governor Corzine signed into law on January 26 a revision to NJSA 39:4-131 regarding providing accident reports. The new law requires police agencies to send accident reports through the mail or via fax upon request. The police may require as a condition that the person making the request complete a request form and pay the appropriately authorized fee set forth in the statute. If injured in a car accident, call Kenneth Vercammen. The text of the amended statute is as follows:
NJSA 39:4-131
The commission shall prepare and supply to police departments and other suitable agencies, forms for accident reports calling for sufficiently detailed information with reference to a motor vehicle accident, including the cause, the conditions then existing, the persons and vehicles involved, the compliance with P.L. 1984, c.179 (C.39:3-76.2e et seq.) by the operators and passengers of the vehicles involved in the accident, whether the operator of the vehicle was using a cellular telephone when the accident occurred, and such other information as the chief administrator may require.
Every law enforcement officer who investigates a vehicle accident of which report must be made as required in this Title, or who otherwise prepares a written report as a result of an accident or thereafter by interviewing the participants or witnesses, shall forward a written report of such accident to the commission, on forms furnished by it, within five days after his investigation of the accident.
Such written reports required to be forwarded by law enforcement officers and the information contained therein shall not be privileged or held confidential. Every citizen of this State shall have the right, during regular business hours and under supervision, to inspect and copy such reports and shall also have the right in person to purchase copies of the reports at the same fee established by section 6 of P.L. 2001, c.404 (C. 47:1A-5). If copies of reports are requested other than in person, an additional fee of up to $5.00 for the first three pages and $1.00 per page thereafter may be added to cover the administrative costs of the report. Upon request, a police department shall send an accident report to a person through the mail or via fax as defined in section 2 of P.L. 1976, c.23 (C.19:59-2). The police department may require the person requesting the report to provide a completed request form and the appropriate fee prior to faxing or mailing the report. The police department shall provide the person requesting the report with the option of submitting the form and providing the appropriate fee either in person, through the mail, or via fax as defined in section 2 of P.L. 1976, c.23 (C.19:59-2).
The provisions of any other law or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding, reports obtained pursuant to this act shall not be subject to confidentiality requirements except as provided by section 28 of P.L. 1960, c.52 (C. 2A: 84A-28).
_____________________________
NJ Elder Law blog: http://elder-law.blogspot.com/
Our law blog- http://njlaws1.blogspot.com/
Thank you for reading our newsletter! God Bless America USA #1
We appreciate continued referrals. We want to take the time to extend to our friends and clients our sincere gratitude because it is good friends and clients that make our business grow. Client recommendation is a very important source of new clients to us. We are grateful for the recommendation of new clients. We will do our best to give all clients excellent care. We shall do our best to justify all recommendations.
"Celebrating more than 21 years of providing excellent service to clients 1985-2007" Former Prosecutor
This newsletter is produced to be sent electronically. If you know someone who would also like to receive this email newsletter, please have them email us at newsletter@njlaws.com.
Free T- shirts and soda can holders available for all current and past clients. Please come into office.
Editor's Note and Disclaimer: All materials Copyright 2007. You may pass along the information on the NJ Laws Newsletter and website, provided the name and address of the Law Office is included.
KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
website: www.njlaws.com
January 28, 2007
In this issue:
1. 2007 Medicaid, Public Benefits and Tax Numbers
2 Recent cases: Crawford case requires a Witness must appear in court to testify.
3. In Passaic County, 3rd offender DWI can serve jail on weekends
4. Irreconcilable Differences Divorce Legislation Becomes Law
5. Accident reports must now be provided by Police via fax request
1. 2007 Medicaid, Public Benefits and Tax Numbers
By Thomas D. Begley, Jr., Esquire
Every year selected public benefits and tax numbers change. These are indexed to the cost of living. Here are some of the important numbers for 2007:
Medicaid
$1,869 Income Cap
$101,640 Maximum CSRA
$20,328 Minimum CSRA
$2,541 Maximum MMMNA
$1650 MMMNA (until July 1, 2007)
$495 Excess Shelter Allowance (until July 1, 2007)
Social Security
3.3% Social Security Increase
$623 SSI – Single
$934 SSI – Couple
$900 SGA - Disabled
$1,500 SGA – Blind
Medicare
$124 Medicare Co-Payment – NSF
$93.50 Medicare Part B Standard Premium (less than $80,000 income)
Medicare Part B –Related Premium
$106 Medicare Part B ($80,000-$100,000 income)
$124.70 Medicare Part B ($100,000-$150,000 income)
$143.40 Medicare Part B ($150,000-$200,000 income)
$162.10 Medicare Part B (more than $200,000 income)
Married and filing separate return
$143.40 Medicare Part B ($80,000-$120,000 income)
$162.10 Medicare Part B (more than $120,000
$131 Medicare Part B Deductible
$992 Medicare Part A Deductible
Tax
$12,000 Annual Gift Tax Exclusion
$125,000 Gifts to Non-Citizen Spouse
$10,450 Maximum Tax Estates and Trust
$2,000,000 Federal Estate Tax Exemption
$3,400.00 Personal Exemption *
$97,500 Max SSA Wage Base
PAAD/Senior Gold – NJ Prescription Plan
$22,572 PAAD Single Limit
$27,676 PAAD Married Limit
$32,572 Senior Gold Single Limit
$37,676 Senior Gold Married Limit
Eligible Long-Term Care Insurance
$290 40 or less
$550 more than 40 but not more than 50
$1,110 more than 50 but not more than 60
$2,950 more than 60 but not more than 70
$3,680 more than 70
*Subject to phase out for income above certain levels for various types of filers.
Begley & Bookbinder, P.C. is an Elder & Disability Law Firm with offices in Moorestown, Stone Harbor and Lawrenceville, New Jersey and can be contacted at 800-533-7227. The firm services southern and central New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.
See the NJ Elder Law blog: http://elder-law.blogspot.com/
2 Recent cases: Crawford case requires a Witness must appear in court to testify. State v Buda __ N.J. Super. __ (App. Div. 2006) Appellate Division, A-4778-04T4
An excited utterance made by a child abuse victim to a DYFS worker at a hospital, although admissible under state evidence law, is inadmissible in this case as a result of evolving federal constitutional jurisprudence under Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 124 S. Ct. 1354, 158 L. Ed. 2d 177 (2004), and Davis v. Washington, __ U.S. __, 126 S. Ct. 2266, 165 L. Ed. 2d 224 (2006).
3. In Passaic County, 3rd offender DWI can serve jail on weekends. State v. Grabowski 388 N.J. Super. 431 (Law Div., Passaic County, 2006.)
A defendant who is convicted of third and subsequent driving-while-intoxicated offenses may be sentenced to periodic imprisonment pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2B:12-22. State v. Luthe distinguished. Source: Facts-on-Call Order No. 93229
Note: There is an AOC memo sent to Judges directing immediate jail, but the memo is not available to the public online
4. Irreconcilable Differences Divorce Legislation Becomes Law
On January 20, 2007, Governor Corzine signed into law S-1467 (Scutari/Gill/Bateman/Cohen/Vas), which adds news causes of action for divorce based on irreconcilable differences. The new law is P.L. 2007, c.6 and takes effect immediately. Kenneth Vercammen is a member of the NJ State Bar Association, which had been working with several key groups and lobbied successfully to seek passage of this legislation since the 1995 Commission to Study the Law of Divorce issued its report. The commission recommended a new ground for divorce of "irreconcilable differences to alleviate the need for allegations as may be used to substantiate other causes. The allegation which may be of a nature that set a tone of bitterness and accusations." Additional information can be obtained from the Legislature's website www.njleg.state.nj.us
5. Accident reports must now be provided by Police via fax request
Personal appearance not required
Governor Corzine signed into law on January 26 a revision to NJSA 39:4-131 regarding providing accident reports. The new law requires police agencies to send accident reports through the mail or via fax upon request. The police may require as a condition that the person making the request complete a request form and pay the appropriately authorized fee set forth in the statute. If injured in a car accident, call Kenneth Vercammen. The text of the amended statute is as follows:
NJSA 39:4-131
The commission shall prepare and supply to police departments and other suitable agencies, forms for accident reports calling for sufficiently detailed information with reference to a motor vehicle accident, including the cause, the conditions then existing, the persons and vehicles involved, the compliance with P.L. 1984, c.179 (C.39:3-76.2e et seq.) by the operators and passengers of the vehicles involved in the accident, whether the operator of the vehicle was using a cellular telephone when the accident occurred, and such other information as the chief administrator may require.
Every law enforcement officer who investigates a vehicle accident of which report must be made as required in this Title, or who otherwise prepares a written report as a result of an accident or thereafter by interviewing the participants or witnesses, shall forward a written report of such accident to the commission, on forms furnished by it, within five days after his investigation of the accident.
Such written reports required to be forwarded by law enforcement officers and the information contained therein shall not be privileged or held confidential. Every citizen of this State shall have the right, during regular business hours and under supervision, to inspect and copy such reports and shall also have the right in person to purchase copies of the reports at the same fee established by section 6 of P.L. 2001, c.404 (C. 47:1A-5). If copies of reports are requested other than in person, an additional fee of up to $5.00 for the first three pages and $1.00 per page thereafter may be added to cover the administrative costs of the report. Upon request, a police department shall send an accident report to a person through the mail or via fax as defined in section 2 of P.L. 1976, c.23 (C.19:59-2). The police department may require the person requesting the report to provide a completed request form and the appropriate fee prior to faxing or mailing the report. The police department shall provide the person requesting the report with the option of submitting the form and providing the appropriate fee either in person, through the mail, or via fax as defined in section 2 of P.L. 1976, c.23 (C.19:59-2).
The provisions of any other law or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding, reports obtained pursuant to this act shall not be subject to confidentiality requirements except as provided by section 28 of P.L. 1960, c.52 (C. 2A: 84A-28).
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NJ Elder Law blog: http://elder-law.blogspot.com/
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KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
website: www.njlaws.com
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