Notable Cases - Overview

These cases deal with issues and outcomes that affect state law, legal procedures, or public interest.

State v. Paul Caneiro

A pretrial conference is scheduled for Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. before Superior Court Assignment Judge Marc Lemieux, Monmouth County Courthouse, 71 Monument Street, Freehold. The matter also will be livestreamed.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin in State v Paul Caneiro on Jan. 5, 2026, at 8:45 a.m. before Superior Court Assignment Judge Marc Lemieux, Monmouth County Courthouse, 71 Monument St., Freehold.

State v. Ernest Troiano, Steven Mikulski, and Peter Byron

A trial date in State v Steven Mikulski has been scheduled for Feb. 6, 2026, at 9 a.m. before Superior Court Judge Christine Smith at the Cape May County Courthouse, 9 N. Main St., Cape May Court House.

A trial date in State v Ernest Troiano has been rescheduled for Jan. 5 at 9 a.m. before Superior Court Judge Christine Smith at the Cape May County Courthouse, 9 N. Main St., Cape May Court House.

Oct. 15, 2025-Motion to Reconsider (Ernest Troiano)
Oct. 15, 2025-Order on Motion to Reconsider (Ernest Troiano)
Oct. 15, 2025-Amended Order on Motion to Reconsider (Steven Mikulski)
Jan. 22, 2025-Motion to dismiss indictment (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Defense Reply Brief (Steven Mikulski)
Jan. 22, 2025-Micellaneous correspondence (Steven Mikulski)
Jan. 22, 2025-Notice of motion to dismiss indictment (Steven Mikulski)
Jan. 22, 2025-Motion to dismiss indictment (Steven Mikulski)
Jan. 22, 2025-State's Response to Dismissal Motion (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-State's response to motion Brief to dismiss indictment (Steven Mikulski)
Jan. 22, 2025-Scheduling Order (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Letter Reply re Qualification of Jurors (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Letter to Court re Number of Jurors (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Reply to State's opposition (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-State's response to motion Brief (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-State's response to motion to dismiss indictment Brief (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Appellate decision re motion for leave to appeal (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Compel Discovery Scheduling Order (Peter Byron)
Jan. 22, 2025-Brief compel discovery (Peter Byron)
Jan. 22, 2025-Motion to compel discovery (Peter Byron)
Jan. 22, 2025-Letter Brief re motion Sever (Steven Mikulski)
Jan. 22, 2025-Motion to Sever (Steven Mikulski)
Jan. 22, 2025-State's Response to Severance Motion (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Motion Sever (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Amended order re motion to dismiss indictment (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Motion to Sever Scheduling Order (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Order granting motion to dismiss (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Order Re Defense's motion to dismiss Indictment (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Letter Reply to Court re Opposition (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Motion for leave to appeal filed with Appellate Division (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Motion to dismiss indictment (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-State's response to motion to dismiss indictment Brief (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 202- State's Objection to Continued Participation (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Reply to State's object re Attorney disqualification (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Brief Reply defendant re motion to Sever (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Compel Withdrawal Order (Peter Byron)
Jan. 22, 2025-State's Response re motion to compel discovery (Peter Byron)
Jan. 22, 2025-Motion to Sever Order (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Disqualify Attorney Letter Decision (Ernest Troiano)
Jan. 22, 2025-Motion in Limine (Steven Mikulski)
Jan. 22, 2025-State's response Brief re motion in Limine (Steven Mikulski)
Jan. 22, 2025-Motion to Sever Letter Decision (Ernest Troiano)

State v. Sean M. Higgins

A discretionary conference scheduled for Dec. 15 before Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio has been adjourned. No new date has been set.

Dec. 11, 2025 - Appellant Brief
Nov. 10, 2025 - Motion to Suppress Order
Oct. 30, 2025 - Defense Supplemental Brief, Motion to Suppress
Aug. 25, 2025 - Motion to Suppress Evidence Order
July 24, 2025 - Defense Letter Brief in Support of Motion to Suppress Statements
July 24, 2025 - State Response to Motion to Suppress Evidence
July 22, 2025 - Amended Scheduling Order
July 17, 2025 - Defense Brief Motion to Suppress Data
July 8, 2025 - State Letter on Motion to Suppress Statement
June 11, 2025 - Scheduling Order
June 10, 2025 - Motion to Suppress Statement
June 10, 2025 - Motion to Suppress Data
April 15, 2025 - Order on Motion to Dismiss
April 15, 2025 - Order on Motion to Compel Discovery
April 9, 2025 - State Motion in Limine
March 31, 2025 - State Brief on Motion for Additional Discovery (Blood Evidence)
March 31, 2025 - State Brief on Motion to Compel
March 31, 2025 - State Brief on Motion to Dismiss
March 10, 2025 - Defense Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss
March 10, 2025 - Defense Brief in Support of Motion to Compel
Feb. 5, 2025 - Scheduling Motion
Feb. 5, 2025 - Notice to Withdraw Discovery Request (Blood Testing)
Feb. 5, 2025 - Motion for Discovery (Blood Testing)
Feb. 4, 2025 - Motion to Dismiss Indictment
Feb. 4, 2025 - Motion for Discovery (Plea Offer)
Dec. 11, 2024 - Indictment
Oct 23, 2024 - State Brief
Oct 23, 2024 - Appellant Brief
Oct. 22, 2024 – Appellate Division Order
Oct. 18, 2024 - Order Dissolving Restraints
Oct. 11, 2024 - Media Advisory
Sept. 26, 2024 - Order to Show Cause
Sept. 10, 2024 - Media Advisory
Sept. 4, 2024 - Media Advisory

State v. George Norcross et al

July 23, 2025 - NJ State Bar Association Proposed Amicus Brief
July 23, 2025 - NJ State Bar Association Motion to Appear as Amicus
June 16, 2025 - Brief of Amici Curiae
June 11, 2025 - Appellant Brief
Feb. 26, 2025 - Notice of Appeal
Feb. 26, 2025 - Order and Statement of Reasons
Feb. 24, 2025 - Withdrawal of Counsel
Jan. 3, 2025 - Defendant’s letter Re: Amici Curiae
Jan. 3, 2025 - Motion to Suppress Evidence
Jan. 3, 2025 - State’s Letter in Response to Motion to Compel Production of Wiretap Applications
Jan. 3, 2025 - Brief in Support of Motion to Compel Production of Wiretap Applications
Jan. 3, 2025 - State’s Letter Re: Amici Curiae
Dec. 26, 2024 - Notice of Motion to Intervene as Amici Curiae
Dec. 26, 2024 - Reply Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss Indictment (William Tambussi)
Dec. 26, 2024 - Reply Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss Indictment (Sidney Brown)
Dec. 26, 2024 - Reply Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss Indictment (John O’Donnell)
Dec. 26, 2024 - Reply Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss Indictment (Dana Redd)
Dec. 26, 2024 - Reply Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss Indictment (Philip Norcross)
Dec. 26, 2024 - Reply Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss Indictment (George Norcross)
Nov. 25, 2024 - State Brief in Opposition to Motion to Dismiss Indictment
Nov. 25, 2024 - State Letter in Response to Motion to Compel Discovery
Nov. 21, 2024 - Motion to Compel Discovery
Nov. 7, 2024 - Consent Protective Order
Oct. 15, 2024 - Letter to the Court
Oct. 11, 2024 - Letter to the Court
Oct. 11, 2024 - Notice of Appearance
Oct. 1, 2024 – Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss (Sidney Brown)
Oct. 1, 2024 – Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss (John O’Donnell)
Oct. 1, 2024 – Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss (Philip Norcross)
Oct. 1, 2024 – Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss (Dana Redd)
Sept. 26, 2024 – Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss (William Tambussi)
Sept. 24, 2024 - Motion to Dismiss
Sept. 9, 2024 - Media Advisory
June 14, 2024 - Indictment

State v. Marty Small Sr. and La’Quetta Small

Opening statements are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 8 before Superior Court Judge Joseph A. Levin in courtroom 5 of the Atlantic County Criminal Courts Complex, 4997 Unami Blvd., Mays Landing.

A final status conference for Constance Days-Chapman is scheduled for Dec. 11 before Superior Court Judge Dorothy Garrabrant at the Atlantic County Criminal Courts Complex, 4997 Unami Blvd., Mays Landing.

Jury selection in the trial of La’Quetta Small is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Jan. 12, 2026, before Superior Court Judge Joseph A. Levin in courtroom 5 of the Atlantic County Criminal Courts Complex, 4997 Unami Blvd., Mays Landing.