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Matt Rooney
is a New Jersey attorney, former Superior Court law clerk, and noted commentator who focuses his practice on family law, municipal court defense, and personal injury matters. He was recognized by SJ Magazine as a 2018 “Top Divorce & Family Attorney."

Latest posts by Matt Rooney (see all)
- N.J. COURT: Live-In Nannies Are Covered By The Prevention of Domestic Violence Act - July 31, 2019
- When will the judge hear my N.J. family court motion? - October 16, 2018
- N.J. may soon allow “hardship licenses.” Here’s what that means. | Rooney - October 10, 2018
New Jersey Supreme Court Reverses Appellate Expungement Opinion; Clarifies Boundaries of a Judge’s Discretion to Grant or Deny Expungement Application

Criminal Homicide (NJSA 2C:11-1), except death by auto Luring or Enticing (NJSA 2C:13-6); Human Trafficking (NJSA 2C:13-8); Aggravated Sexual Assault (NJSA 2C:14-2); Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact (NJSA 2C:14-3a); Criminal Sexual Contact (NJSA 2C:14-3b); Criminal Restraint (NJSA 2C:13-2); False Imprisonment (NJSA 2C:13-3); Robbery (NJSA 2C:15-1); Arson and Related Offenses (NJSA 2C:17-1); Endangering the welfare of a child (NJSA 2C:24-4b(4)); Causing or permitting a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act (NJSA 2C:24-4b. (3)); Selling or manufacturing child pornography (NJSA 2C:24-4b.(5)(a)); Perjury (NJSA 2C:28-1); Knowingly promoting the prostitution of the actor’s child (NJSA 2C:34-1b.(4)); Terrorism (NJSA 2C:38-2)Unfortunately, until now and perhaps not unsurprisingly, the discretion provided to New Jersey courts under the amended expungement statute created unpredictability and divergent decisions. It was hard for attorneys and their clients to predict an expungement application’s chance of success. The Court’s new opinion in In Re Ronald Kollman will therefore come as very welcome news to anyone seeking an expungement in New Jersey… The facts of In Re Ronald Kollman were relatively straightforward. In March 2010, Mr. Ronald Kollman filed an application with the court to expunge a prior conviction on one count of “distribution of a controlled dangerous substance” (or “CDS”). Of crucial importance is the fact that Mr. Kollman had led an exemplary life since his conviction. He hadn’t been in trouble with the law since then and discussed how he had graduated from college while working full-time. He also submitted 21 individual letters along with his application attesting to his moral character, accomplishments, good deeds and personal growth. In short, Mr. Kollman made a compelling case that he deserved to move on without the encumbrance of a publicly-available criminal record.
The Legislature had already determine that all 3rd or 4th degree CDS offenses were eligible for expungement, and Mr. Kollman’s conviction was on a 3rd degree charge.

The following two tabs change content below.

Matt Rooney
is a New Jersey attorney, former Superior Court law clerk, and noted commentator who focuses his practice on family law, municipal court defense, and personal injury matters. He was recognized by SJ Magazine as a 2018 “Top Divorce & Family Attorney."

Latest posts by Matt Rooney (see all)
- N.J. COURT: Live-In Nannies Are Covered By The Prevention of Domestic Violence Act - July 31, 2019
- When will the judge hear my N.J. family court motion? - October 16, 2018
- N.J. may soon allow “hardship licenses.” Here’s what that means. | Rooney - October 10, 2018