Changes in the Howes & Howes Practice in 2012

Howes & Howes is a small law firm located in the heart of New Jersey.  We are in the twentieth year of service to clients in New Jersey.  With two experienced lawyers and two top-notch legal assistants, we will continue to provide the same level of service to clients as we have for the past two decades, with some small changes due to the appointment of H&H partner Katherine Howes as Judge of the Bound Brook Municipal Court.

Congratulations to Judge Howes

On January 1, 2011, Howes & Howes rang in the new year with a big accomplishment. Bound Brook Mayor Carey Pilato nominated H&H partner Katherine Howes to be the Judge of the Bound Brook Municipal Court.  The borough council unanimously confirmed her. This is a part-time job.  It will not cause any major changes in the practice or operation of Howes & Howes. We will still serve our clients here in New Jersey, just as we have since 1991.

Hudson County Success Story:  Court Finds No Neglect Against H&H Client

Howes & Howes represents parents statewide.  In a recent Hudson County case, the Division accused our client of perpetrating domestic violence, and the client’s spouse of failing to protect the children from the alleged domestic violence.  The case was based almost entirely on the suspicions and hunches of the Division case worker.  The case culminated in a fact-finding hearing.  After two sessions of testimony, the trial court found no child abuse or neglect, and dismissed the case.

A Child Alone in a Car:  Neglect?

For years, DYFS has argued that the mere act of leaving a child unattended in a car means that a parent or guardian has committed child neglect.  A recent decision of the New Jersey Appellate Division tells DYFS to wait just one minute.  Leaving a child alone in a car is not in-and-of-itself grossly negligent, and therefore, is not neglect.  Howes & Howes is involved in several such cases, and is prepared to defend a parent or guardian from allegations of neglect.

New Feature for www.njcases.com:  NJ Election Law Blog

Howes & Howes has become one of the most active and respected election law firms in the State of New Jersey.  We have been involved in many of the close elections and interesting legal issues in New Jersey in the past decade.  And those that we are not directly involved in, we follow closely.  In our new feature - NJ Election Law Blog - we will publish commentary on current cases and on developments in the law.

Big Brother is Watching Your Facebook Page

Online social networking has taken off in recent years.  As more and more people establish Facebook accounts, society learns more about the advantages and disadvantages of online social networking.  In New Jersey, the Division of Youth and Family Services has taken to monitoring Facebook pages.  If you are involved with DYFS, what you say on Facebook can and will be used against you.

Kathy Howes, Somerset County Outstanding Woman in the Law 2011

On March 25, 2011, the Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women will recognize Howes & Howes founder Kathy Howes as Somerset County’s Outstanding Woman in the Law for 2011.  During her two decades in private practice in Somerset County, Kathy has given back in many ways to the county that has been so good to her.  She has been an outstanding attorney and outstanding volunteer.  Congratulations to Kathy Howes.

Sayreville GOP Declares Victory in the Courtroom

The Sayreville Republican Municipal Committee is an energetic group that has had success in a county dominated by the Democrats.  When they needed legal assistance to replace a candidate on the ballot one month before the election, they contacted Howes & Howes.  Within a week, the Sayreville GOP declared victory in the courtroom.

Reflections on 25 Years in the Law (Part Three)

My first job after law school was in the Union County Prosecutor’s Office in Elizabeth NJ.  It was a great job.  I was on my feet in court before the end of my first week on the job.  I started prosecuting juvenile crimes in the juvenile section after six months.  Not long after that I was handling jury trials on the adult trial team.  I gained a lot of trial experience as well as experience working with the local media.  One of the cases that I remember as a little different was a robbery of a suburban grocery store by an ex-convict.  He insisted that he was shoplifting, but we proved that he was committing a robbery. (Union County Courthouse pictured below.)

Reflections on 25 Years in the Law (Part Two)

Howes & Howes offers families and small businesses top-notch trial practice.  Our ability to try cases goes back to law school.  My earliest participation in a substantial trial was in the matter of State vs. G.G. in Tangipahoa Parish Louisiana in the mid-1980s.  I was one of several law students who assisted a law professor in defending G.G. against the charge that he murdered an on-duty Sheriff’s Officer.  State v. G.G. matter introduced me to the nitty-gritty of trial practice. Photo:  Historic Tangipahoa Parish Courthouse

Howes & Howes Files Major Constitutional Litigation Against Bayonne Mayor

Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith holds two public offices in the CIty of Bayonne.  He simultaneously holds the office of Mayor and the subordinate office of Deputy Police Chief.  New Jersey law has long prohibited this sort of dual office holding.  Despite recent public outcry for Mr. Smith to choose between these two offices, he has refused to do so.  The City of Bayonne has taken no action, so 31st District Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone (pictured below) has filed suit in Hudson County Superior Court.

Read this Article Before You Drink and Drive

Most New Jersey motorists know the basics about drinking and driving.  That is, most people know that if you are convicted of drunk driving or refusal, that you will pay a fine, lose your driving privilege as well as pay surcharges and greatly increased auto insurance premiums.  In some instances, however, New Jersey law sanctions a drunk driver as a felon or a child abuser.  Please read this article before you drink and drive.