NJ Supreme Court fails to close door on “first strike” suits by public agencies. Legislature must step up.

The Editors of the New Jersey Law Journal have written an excellent commentary piece on the New Jersey Supreme Court’s 8/3/2017 decision in the case of Jeff Carter v. NJ State Firemen’s Association (NJSFA) (A-68-15). Below is NJFOG’s short summary of the case and court findings. We recommend reading the Editorial for greater detail. Background: Read More …

Appellate Court to rule on who can file an OPRA lawsuit

UPDATE (12/18/2015):  For NJ Appellate Court ruling, see https://njfog.org/2015/12/18/2707/. — What has come to be called “first strikes” or “pre-emptive strikes” by public agencies is a hot topic these days with a growing number of records requestors finding themselves as unwitting defendants in court actions initiated by public agencies. Since the OPRA statute mandates reimbursement Read More …

CASE SUMMARY: New Jersey State Firemen’s Association (NJSFA) v. Jeff Carter

Case Name:  New Jersey State Firemen’s Association (NJSFA) v. Jeff Carter Docket Number:  NJ Supreme Court Docket No. 077097, Appellate A-2810-13T2, Trial Court Docket No. UNN-L-2932-13 County / Vicinage:  Union Filing Date:  August 15, 2013 Judge:  Chrystal, Lisa F. (at trial level) Status:  Closed.   Overview: The requestor, NJSFA member Jeff Carter of Franklin Township, Somerset County, Read More …