Datz & Associates, LLC

Datz & Roberts is a general litigation law firm serving PA and NJ. Jeffrey Datz & Josh Roberts are the principles. Marc Swarbrick is "Of Counsel."

In a decision that cuts across the sports world, the legal world and the interests of many Jersey shore denizens, the Federal Court of Appeals that covers New Jersey (the 3rd Circuit) has upheld the ban on sports betting in New Jersey by a 2-1 vote. Judges Maryanne Trump Barry (yes, she is related) and Marjorie O. Rendell (Ed's ex) were in the majority. Judge Julio Fuentes dissented in favor of New Jersey. Practical translation -- no sports books in Atlantic City casinos or New Jersey racetracks. The next step for advocates of sports betting in New Jersey will be to seek a rehearing "en banc" from the entire 3rd Circuit and/or to seek review from the United States Supreme Court.

http://blog.northjersey.com/meadowlandsmatters/6623/breaking-third-circuit-court-of-appeals-upholds-ban-against-new-jerseys-sports-betting-law/

http://espn.go.com/chalk/story/_/id/13507681/federal-appeals-court-denies-new-jersey-bid-legalized-sports-betting

breaking: Third Circuit Court of Appeals upholds ban against New Jersey's sports betting law [last UPDATED at 12:15 pm ET] The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday affirmed a lower court ruling that struck down New Jersey's sports betting law because it conflicts with a 1992 fede...

Pennsylvania's Civil Forfeiture laws, and Philadelphia's notorious enforcement of those laws, could be changing. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to review Pennsylvania's Civil Forfeiture proceedings in a case where a mother's home and car were subject to civil forfeiture because the home and car were used by the son to deal approximately $90 of ma*****na. The mother had no involvement in the drug transactions. Separately, the federal district court in Philadelphia has let a class action proceed against the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office for its civil forfeiture practices.

http://www.thelegalintelligencer.com/id=1202734219099/Justices-to-Eye-States-CivilForfeiture-Procedures

For a humorous but serious look at civil forfeiture, check out the John Oliver clip.

https://youtu.be/3kEpZWGgJks