The State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Alfonse J. Begyn, Defendant-Respondent

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the Appellate Division's reversal of Alfonse J. Begyn's conviction for misconduct in office and ordered a new trial, finding that the evidence sufficiently established the crime and that the trial court's charge errors, while prejudicial, did not outweigh the need for reversal. The Court clarified the broad definition of "officer" for misconduct statutes and addressed issues of extortion, bribery, and the proper handling of accomplice testimony. A concurring opinion noted that the trial court's accomplice instruction was proper and not prejudicial. Justice Weintbatjb, in dissenting concurrence, argued that the instruction did not warrant reversal.