State v. Hyman

OSTRER, J.A.D.

*437A jury found defendant Elex Hyman guilty of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and conspiring to do so, both second-degree offenses. N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5(a)(1), -5(b)(2). On appeal, defendant principally argues the court erred in admitting as lay opinion testimony under N.J.R.E. 701 the lead investigative detective's interpretation of drug-related slang and code words that defendant and others used in recorded wiretapped conversations.

We agree the detective's testimony interpreting the slang and code words was in the nature of expert opinion. However, the…