Clinton Township Newsletter

2 3 s e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 1 Victor A. Rotolo is a long-time resident of Clinton Township and the founder of Rotolo Karch Law. Call Rotolo Karch Law today: 908.534.7900 to discuss any legal situation confronting you. Your half-hour consultation is free of charge! Their attorneys and staff are ready to serve your legal needs. Rotolo Karch Law • 502 US 22 West, Lebanon, NJ 08833. www.RotoloKarchLaw.com C l e a r i n g t h e r e C o r d i n M a r i j u a n a C a s e s If you or a loved one was charged with possession of marijuana, you may wonder how New Jersey's new marijuana legislation affects previous convictions. The topic is complex. The new State laws, in part, legalize the use and possession of marijuana by those age 21 or older, specifically possession and use of six ounces or less of marijuana on private property. The new laws decriminalized certain activities including: • being under the influence of marijuana (except while driving) • possession of marijuana-related drug paraphernalia • possession of marijuana in a car • certain disorderly persons charges relating to marijuana use Before this change, more than 30,000 marijuana-related arrests a year were made in New Jersey. With the new laws, State lawmakers now had to contend with how to handle prior convictions for activities no longer considered illegal. Addressing this issue, State lawmakers ruled that all pending marijuana-related cases occurring on or before February 22, 2021, falling within the parameters of the new laws be dismissed. Additionally, all cases previously resolved through guilty pleas or verdicts be vacated, resulting in remaining time on jail sentences or ongoing supervision programs and unpaid financial assessments being forgiven. This, however, does not clear a person's criminal record, which can hinder the ability to find employment, housing and obtain certain loans. The way to clear a criminal record is through expungement. Expungement is the process in which a record of criminal conviction is sealed or, in some cases, destroyed; in effect, it is as if the conviction never occurred. State lawmakers ruled that criminal records of those who had their marijuana-related charges dismissed or convictions vacated would be expunged automatically. However, currently only completely digitized cases (i.e. those cases fully converted to electronic files) can be automatically expunged. An automated process for expunging cases with a hard-copy records, unfortunately, has yet to be developed. There are an estimated 360,000 marijuana-related cases in New Jersey that qualify for expungement. If you have a case you believe qualifies for expungement, consider seeking counsel of a qualified attorney to help clear your record. – Victor Rotolo A gourmet experience in the countryside Join us October 3, 2021 (rain date October 17) 12:00pm to 3:00pm Fieldview Farm, Pittstown, NJ 08867 Proceeds Benefit Hunterdon Hospice & Hunterdon Home Health Services Admission $100 – Reserve by September 15,2021 Contact The Foundation Office at (908) 788-6141, email Foundation@hhsnj.org Or visit our website to make a reservation & see our menu www.atasteofautumn.org Sponsored By The Italian American Heritage Club of Hunterdon County is beginning our new season! We invite anyone who shares our Italian heritage to come and find out more about our club. The events, activities and programs help us to expand our knowledge and pride in our Italian culture. Here are a few of the upcoming events: Family Picnic – Sunday, September 12 at 1:00 pm Monthly Meeting – Tuesday, September 21 at 6:30 pm Annual Foundation Gala (Dinner Dance) – October 16 For more information, check out our website at: www.ItalianAmericanHC. org or contact Mary Divock at: IAHC.Mary@gmail.com or at: 908.377.1379. We look forward to hearing from you and meeting you at one of our events! W h A t ' S n e W W i t h c l i n t o n t o W n S h i P g i r l S c o u t t r o o P 8 0 7 8 4 ? Clinton Township Girl Scout Troop 80784 was awarded a trophy for "most patriotic float" in this year's Lebanon Borough Fourth of July parade. The Troop includes eight Brownies who will enter third grade in the fall. They decorated their float with streamers, flags, handmade posters and other festive red, white and blue decorations. New Girl Scout Troops are forming in Clinton Township! Is your daughter interested in Scouting or would you like to learn more? Please email us at gshnjserviceunit81@gmail.com. Our service unit is always looking for new members and parent volunteers.

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