Professor James Cohen was quoted in an article examining coronavirus executive orders and state shutdowns.
When Murphy issued executive order No. 103 on March 9 declaring a state of emergency, he cited the New Jersey Constitution and state statutes that confer emergency powers on him. That includes the New Jersey Civilian Defense and Disaster Control Act, which allows the governor to make orders, rules and regulations “as may be necessary” to adequately meet the problems faced in any emergency.
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“That’s the law then, that’s the law now,” said Jim Cohen, professor at Fordham University School of Law. “We as U.S. citizens don’t have the right to do everything we want in all circumstances under all conditions.”
