State v. Cameron case brief

State v. Cameron case brief summary
514 A.2d 1302 (1986)

CASE SYNOPSIS

Plaintiff appealed a decision of the Superior Court, Appellate Division (New Jersey), reversing defendant's convictions, holding that the trial court erred by not giving an intoxication charge.

CASE FACTS
Defendant was indicted for second-degree aggravated assault, in violation of N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:12-1(b)(1), possession of a weapon with a purpose to use it unlawfully, and fourth-degree resisting arrest, a violation of N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:29-2.

DISCUSSION

• The appeals court reversed the trial court's conviction of defendant, claiming voluntary intoxication was a defense that should have been allowed, because it negated the essential element of purposeful conduct. 
• The court here determined that the trial court correctly refused defendant's request, since the evidence was insufficient to justify submission of the intoxication issue to the jury. 
• The judgment of reversal by the appellate court was based solely upon an erroneous view of the law and other assignments of error were not considered; therefore, the cause was remanded to that court with directions to consider and pass upon such other questions.

CONCLUSION
The judgment of the court of appeals was reversed and the cause was remanded for further proceedings consistent with the court's determination that the trial court did not err in refusing to give an intoxication charge.


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