During my undergraduate journey at Rutgers University, I underwent significant growth both academically and as a leader. Two key influences for this growth were my role as a paralegal at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell and my tenure as President of an IFC Fraternity. These experiences were instrumental in achieving what I consider my proudest accomplishment to date: admission as a full-time student at Rutgers Law School. In March 2023, a fraternity brother offered me the opportunity to cover for him at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell during spring break. Seizing this chance, I promptly accepted. Working closely with Eric during that week allowed us to establish a connection, leading to him extending an offer for me to work for him during the 2023-2024 school year. Since the fall, I have worked part-time at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell. I learned numerous valuable skills that have helped me in the early stages of my law career. As a paralegal, we perform a crucial role behind the scenes. While Eric represents you in court, our paralegals handle client communication, interact with courts, prosecutors, and judges, and ensure your case file is updated with the essential motions and documents needed for success. Our firm is deeply committed to our clients' welfare, sparing no effort to secure the best possible outcomes. Working at Eric's firm has been immensely fulfilling; investing hours in studying statutes, researching precedents, drafting documents, and corresponding with courts culminates in the enjoyment of witnessing our clients achieve favorable results. My experience was vital in developing professional, leadership, and academic skills crucial for my career. Eric generously offers positions every school year to Rutgers students who want to develop skills in the legal field. This opportunity offers the chance to develop your writing skills as you learn how to professionally convey a concise message to the court and opposing parties. Moreover, it cultivates strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills necessary for a successful legal career. Eric occasionally invites paralegals to his networking group, where he demonstrates outstanding leadership and delivers captivating speeches. Through these events, Eric not only showcases his exceptional leadership skills but also facilitates valuable networking opportunities among fellow business owners. While working at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell, I held the position of President at an IFC Fraternity. As stressful and time consuming as it was, being President taught me so much about myself. I grew into a decisive, confident leader—a transformation that will undoubtedly benefit me throughout my lifetime. Eric and I bonded over this experience, as he gave me advice along the way and even performed a seminar in front of my fraternity during a chapter meeting. Amidst juggling fraternity commitments, work, and academic responsibilities, I dedicated a significant portion of my time in the fall to preparing for the October LSAT. It proved to be one of the most demanding and draining periods of my life, requiring substantial sacrifices during my senior year. Throughout this challenging journey, Eric provided unwavering support and understanding, recognizing the stress I was under. I performed well on the LSAT and applied to numerous schools, with Rutgers Law being my target school. Remarkably, Rutgers Law admitted me into their upcoming 1L class. In a personal call from the Dean of Admissions, he specifically cited my role as a paralegal at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell as impressive, further affirming the impact of my experiences. As a boss and mentor, Eric B. Morrell embodies professionalism and genuine mentorship. He provides an excellent example for what it takes to be a successful attorney. Eric's support for his paralegals is evident in his readiness to assist with questions and his methods of efficiently delegating responsibilities for each case. Eric cares about his employees, as he prioritizes their academic studies and strives to grow a strong relationship with them. My favorite aspect of working for Eric is his ability to trust his paralegals to navigate the fast-paced learning environment autonomously. He instills a sense of accountability among his team, teaching them to take ownership of their actions—a valuable life lesson that extends beyond the workplace. If you're presented with the chance or have an interest in pursuing law, I strongly encourage you to consider applying at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell. I expect to use many of the professional skills and legal skills I learned at the firm everyday in my career. I am confident that this opportunity will further enrich experience in law school and in the professional world overall. I hope this reflective blog post has provided insight into the rewarding journey of working as a paralegal. Thank you Eric, Tyler Norman

Background In the realm of DWI , understanding the admissibility of Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evidence is crucial. Recent legal precedents, such as State vs. Olenowski (Olenowski II) , have highlighted the standards governing the use of DRE testimony in cases involving driving under the influence of drugs. At the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell , our legal team is well-versed in the intricacies of DRE evidence, offering comprehensive guidance to clients facing DUI drug charges. Our offices practice DWI law for over 25 years and are familiar with both drug and alcohol DWI cases. Admissibility of DRE Evidence The legal landscape surrounding DRE evidence is defined by the landmark case Olenowski II, where the Supreme Court outlined specific guidelines for its admissibility. NJSA 39:4-50 prohibits impaired driving whether through alcohol or drugs. Despite a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) above 0.08% leads to a per se violation, there is no such equivalent that exists for drugs. Our firm recognizes the significance of this ruling and its implications for both the prosecution and defense in DUI drug cases. Part I: DRE 12-Step Protocol Detecting whether a driver is under the influence of drugs is a challenging process and can be difficult for law enforcement to detect. Thus, law enforcement and researchers developed a 12-Step Protocol to enable such detection. This 12 Step Protocol is as follows: (1) A breath alcohol test; (2) An interview of the arresting officer; (3) A preliminary examination and first pulse check; (4) A series of eye examinations; (5) Four divided attention tests; (6) A second examination and vital signs check; (7) A dark room examination of pupil size and ingestion sites; (8) An assessment of muscle tone; (9) A check for injection sites; (10) An interrogation of the driver by the DRE; 2 (11) A final opinion, based on the totality of the examination, about whether the driver is under the influence of a drug or drugs; and (12) A toxicological analysis. Any violation of 1 or more of these steps invalidates the DRE’s evaluation and can be used as a factor for inadmissibility of DRE evidence. Confirmation Bias Recognizing the inherent risks of confirmation bias in the DRE protocol, our firm acknowledges the subjective nature of certain examinations. Drivers admitting to drug use during evaluations may influence how the DRE evaluates the driver. Resultantly, DRE’s are called to the incident when there is only a suspected drunk driver. When encountering DRE’s, we understand the palpable risks of confirmation bias when a DRE officer administers the protocol. As such, our offices recognize the limitations a DRE’s opinion may have as a result of the Olenowski decision, and are prepared to create defenses to ensure a great result. Our offices recently represented a client that interacted with a DRE during a traffic stop. Once pulled over, our client provided a urine sample , which was sent to the New Jersey State Police and later tested positive for Xanax. While our client’s urine sample provided evidence of prior ingestion, it did not identify whether they were under the influence. The Olenowski decision indicates that the DRE must make a reasonable attempt to obtain a blood sample as a positive toxicology report from a blood sample is a clear indicator of impairment. As a result, our offices were able to recognize the inconsistency in the toxicology report as our client only provided the DRE a urine sample, and were able to have their charge remanded to Reckless Driving instead of a DUI. Future of DWI Plea Bargaining The future of DWI plea bargaining in New Jersey is undergoing a significant transformation, primarily due to the withdrawal of Guideline 4 , which previously prohibited plea agreements in driving while intoxicated (DWI) cases. With the repeal of this guideline, previously restricted plea negotiations in DWI cases can now be conducted, allowing for more flexibility in resolving these cases. The new rules allow for plea deals in DWI cases, but with some conditions. If someone is convicted of driving under the influence of certain drugs, they might lose their driving privileges for at least six months. Additionally, there are strict guidelines in place to ensure that these plea deals are fair and in line with the law. The withdrawal of Guideline 4 also has implications for existing case law and administrative procedures. While some precedents are overruled, others remain unaffected, underscoring the evolving nature of DWI law in New Jersey. This means lawyers need to stay updated to help their clients navigate these changes effectively. Our law offices understand the importance of staying up-to-date with the new Superior Court Order. At the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell , we prioritize staying informed by regularly attending seminars and engaging with new legal developments. This proactive approach ensures that we are equipped to navigate the complexities of the legal landscape effectively, providing our clients with the most knowledgeable and informed representation possible. With every case we are committed to achieving great outcomes for our clients and advocate to the full exercise of their rights. EBM Law’s Commitment The Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell, located at 142 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ 08901, are committed to helping our clients fight for the appropriate assessment. Eric B. Morrell has over 20 years of experience in defending clients with criminal charges. Some charges that he routinely deals with are: 1. Criminal Defense 2. DUI/DWI 3. Guns and Weapons Crimes 4. Pre-Trial Detention Hearings 5. Expungements for Prior Convictions