Abusive Head Trauma in Practice: Understanding the NJ Nieves/Cifelli Decision and Its Limits

Recent appellate litigation and public discussion have renewed focus on abusive head trauma (AHT), particularly following the New Jersey Supreme Court’s decisions in State v. Nieves and Cifelli. These developments have underscored the importance of understanding both the medical foundations of AHT and the procedural posture in which these decisions arose.

This webinar will examine the NJ decisions within their proper evidentiary and legal context, emphasizing what the court’s holdings do — and do not — stand for. Presenters will address common misconceptions, overgeneralizations, and misapplications of the rulings that have emerged in litigation and professional discussions.

Designed for prosecutors and allied professionals, this session will build on foundational AHT principles and focus on practical considerations for training, case analysis, and courtroom advocacy. Participants will leave with a clearer, more accurate framework for discussing the NJ decision and its implications within their own jurisdictions.