Newsletter NJ Laws by Kenneth Vercammen, Esq.: E761 VercammenLaw News

E761 VercammenLaw News

1 Summer Blast Happy Hour August 7, 2026 was a good time.

2 Recent case

Internal affairs (IA) investigation could be released but a case-by-case approach is necessary to balance these legitimate and reasonable interests.

1 Summer Blast Happy Hour August 7, 2026 was a good time.

We thank 100 friends, professionals, and attorneys who attended the 2026 Summer Blast Happy Hour. My family and I had a great time catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.

We appreciate the many attendees donated canned goods donated which were donated to St. Matthews Edison Food Pantry.

For 2027 we will select a different Neptune/Belmar area location for a summer event. I did spend over $1,000 out of my pocket buying drinks to persons who registered the prior week before the event.

I posted some photos at

https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.vercammen

We thank the co-sponsors sponsors for the Happy Hour

Retired Police & Fire Middlesex-Monmouth Local 9

Mercer County Bar Association

New Jersey Defense Association

Greater Monmouth Chamber of Commerce

Lakewood Chamber of Commerce

EIPA Eatontown Industrial Park Assoc.

Edison Elks

American Legion Edison

Bartersaves NJ best business barter exchange

Knights of Columbus #5611 Spring Lake , VercammenLaw office & the secret society of Municipal Court attorneys

Special thanks to my sister Janet, wife Cynthia & friends who helped hang up the banners and our volunteers who checked in the guests and gave out wristbands.

Photo below: Past NJ Bar Municipal Court Section Chairs Albert J. Mrozik [Past Asbury Park Judge], Ken Vercammen, Elliot Wiesner and John Menzel at the Annual Jersey Shore Happy Hour on August 7

2 Recent case

Internal affairs (IA) investigation could be released but a case-by-case approach is necessary to balance these legitimate and reasonable interests.

State v Hubbard

· This appeal addressed whether prosecutors must release substantive details about a police department's pending internal affairs (IA) investigation of officers to criminal defendants before investigations conclude and before any allegations are substantiated.

Counsel for seven criminal defendants received letters from the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office pursuant to Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972), and New Jersey Attorney General Directive 2019-6. These letters informed counsel that certain officers involved in their clients' cases were the subject of allegations of misconduct relating to those officers' truthfulness, bias, or integrity. The letters did not provide any substantive detail regarding the alleged offenses or the status of the investigations. The "Giglio letters" were accompanied by a protective order, granted ex parte, which limited counsels' ability to discuss the contents of the letters solely to their respective clients.

Defendants moved (1) to compel disclosure of the IA files, arguing the State has an affirmative obligation to release the substance of these records to comply with its duties under Giglio and Directive 2019-6; and (2) to vacate the protective order, thereby broadening the scope of information released to allow defendants to investigate and prepare defenses. The trial court consolidated the motions and granted the relief requested. The court granted the State leave to appeal.

The court concluded the trial court erred in ordering release of IA information before investigations were completed and before the allegations were substantiated. However, the court agreed with the trial court's decision to vacate the protective orders, finding them overly broad. This decision clarifies the balance between defendants' rights to potential impeachment material and the need to maintain the confidentiality of ongoing IA investigations.

· Full opinion at Criminal Law- Recent Cases Vercammen Law

https://njcriminallaw.blogspot.com/2026/08/internal-affairs-ia-investigation-could.html

· STATE OF NEW JERSEY VS. DEXTER L. HUBBARD, ET AL. (25-02-0111, 24-12-0898, 24-02-0071, 23-04-0311, 25-01-0065, 24-12-0864, AND 24-09 0678, PASSAIC COUNTY AND STATEWIDE)