Paterson Legal Issues Blog

New Jersey man suspected of murder in mother's death

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in criminal defense on Thursday, November 15, 2018.

Most people would agree that living with a family member can be stressful. Regardless of the conflict that may occur, however, such an arrangement does not typically result in violence. Despite this, a man in New Jersey now faces criminal charges after the alleged murder of his mother.

Police say that they first became involved in the situation when they received a call about a disturbance at a residence just before 11 p.m. on a day in November. When they arrived at the scene, they reportedly discovered a 60-year-old man throwing things from a second floor window. Police say he was also yelling threats at responding police officers.

5 factors for custody with a substance abuser

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. on Friday, November 9, 2018.

If you are facing divorce from a spouse suffering from a substance abuse problem, you have probably already been on an emotional roller coaster for quite a while. You may be hoping that your divorce will put an end to your ride. Unfortunately for your children, they will have to navigate a relationship with your ex long after the divorce is final.

You know how your spouse’s problems have affected your children, but you may be wondering what the court will look at regarding this issue when deciding custody issues. Here are five factors the court may consider:

Arrest made in New Jersey fatal accident

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in personal injury on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

Even the drivers who are most committed to following all traffic safety recommendations can become involved in motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, those who do not do so may be even more likely to cause a crash with significant consequences. In fact, police in New Jersey believe that alcohol was involved in a fatal accident that resulted in an arrest.

The accident happened on a day in September. According to reports, a 42-year-old woman was driving on a New Jersey road when she allegedly ran a red light. As a result, her vehicle is said to have struck a sedan driven by an 80-year-old man.

Guilty plea in New Jersey double murder

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in criminal defense on Thursday, October 18, 2018.

When a person is accused of a crime in New Jersey, he or she is left facing multiple life-changing decisions. These decisions are often ones that are difficult to make without appropriate legal training. In fact, a man recently made the decision to enter a guilty plea after he was charged with murder.

The charges the man faced involved a double murder that occurred in Dec. 2015. Police say that they responded to the scene in response to neighbors' requests for a welfare check. They claim that they discovered the bodies of two females, a 15-year-old and her 51-year-old mother.

Arrest made in New Jersey hit-and-run car accident

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in personal injury on Tuesday, October 2, 2018.

There are a variety of different ways to utilize New Jersey roadways lawfully that do not involve a traditional motor vehicle. As a car accident involving cars and trucks and less traditional users -- such as pedestrians and bicyclists -- can result in serious injuries, motorists must remain vigilant at all times. Unfortunately, police say that a recent incident resulted in a fatality.

The incident reportedly happened late one evening on a day in late September. According to reports, a vehicle struck a 54-year-old man. Unfortunately, the man reportedly passed away after he was transported to the hospital.

Man killed in bike accident involving New Jersey Transit worker

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in personal injury on Thursday, September 20, 2018.

There are a variety of different ways to legally utilize the roadways in the United States. For example, some people choose a bicycle as their preferred form of transportation. While it is legal to ride bikes on many New Jersey roads, the negligent behavior of drivers of motor vehicles could put bicyclists as risk. In fact, a recent fatal bike accident remains under investigation.

The accident reportedly happened one evening on a day in early September. According to reports, a 20-year-old student at New Jersey Institute of Technology was riding his bicycle when he was struck by a excavation vehicle. The vehicle was reportedly driven by an employee of NJ Transit.

Kids of divorce are less likely to earn post-secondary degrees

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. on Tuesday, September 11, 2018.

For parents who are divorcing, the primary concern is the wellbeing of their children. Divorce can be incredibly difficult for kids. In addition to affecting their schoolwork, it can have long-lasting emotional repercussions.

A recent study indicates that divorce can also impact a child’s likelihood of attending college. According to the data, children whose parents divorce are less likely to earn a college degree than children whose parents remain married.

New Jersey truck accident injures 7 people

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in personal injury on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

Truck drivers have difficult jobs. Often they are expected to put in long days and may sometimes face delays through no fault of their own. Unfortunately, a driver who is tired or distracted could cause a truck accident that has a significant impact on everyone involved. In fact, reports indicate that a recent accident in New Jersey injured seven people.

The incident happened in the southbound lanes of Route 1 at approximately 5:30 p.m., during rush hour traffic. Police reports claim that a tractor-trailer driver lost control, which caused an accident that involved nine vehicles. Witnesses, including those involved in the accident, claim that cars were stopped at a red light, but the truck failed to stop, causing it to plow into the stopped vehicles.

How employers should respond to personal injury in the workplace

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in personal injury on Monday, August 20, 2018.

Many employers take steps to prevent workplace injuries, but even with these safety measures in place, accidents can still happen. An employer's response to a personal injury while on the job can make a big difference, both to the injured person's health and any legal consequences that may follow. Here are some tips for New Jersey employers when dealing with an employee who gets hurt on the job.

There are several types of injuries that may take place in the workplace. Some of the most common are slips and trips, vehicle accidents and machine entanglement. Depending on the circumstances around these incidents, an employer may be sued for inadequate safety measures. Legal action can also be taken if the employer fails to respond properly to the incident.

Older Americans filing for bankruptcy at an increasing rate

On behalf of Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, L.L.P. posted in bankruptcy on Tuesday, August 7, 2018.

When most people think of risk factors for financial trouble, age may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But recent figures show that older Americans may be seeking bankruptcy relief with increased frequency. New research from the Consumer Bankruptcy Project may have an impact on how New Jersey retirees look at their financial future.

According to the academic paper, more older people in the United States are filing consumer bankruptcies. Additionally, the percentage of those who are 65 and older among filers is at an all time high. One author in the paper noted that this is an indicator that elderly Americans may be struggling financially.