Category Archives: Civil Rights
Challenging Protest-Related (Unlawful Assembly) Charges In New York
There have been widespread protests against police brutality throughout New York during the summer months, with both local and national law enforcement responding and not only at times relying on questionable enforcement methods, but arresting protesters for questionable charges, including unlawful assembly. Police officers in these circumstances often fail to distinguish between violent elements… Read More »
Some New York DAs Announce That Peaceful Protesters Won’t Be Prosecuted If Arrested, But Many Still Wait in Jail for Days
Many of those who were arrested here in New York while protesting George Floyd’s death were charged with disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly. However, according to reports, in June, Manhattan, New York District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. indicated that his office would not prosecute charges of disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly against those protesting… Read More »
If The US Supreme Court Modifies or Abandons Qualified Immunity, This Could Transform Police Arrests, Accountability, And Indictments
The tragic death of George Floyd, an unarmed man who was killed by a police officer during an arrest after the officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes, has once again brought up this issue of qualified immunity and accountability for police officers and how it affects criminal defense. While originally… Read More »
Hundreds Of New York Protesters Arrested for Unlawful Assembly On One Night
Following the tragic death of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer during an arrest after the officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes, as thousands took to the streets around the country in protest of police brutality, many were arrested for disorderly conduct and/or unlawful assembly, including New… Read More »
New York Appeals Court Effectively Rules That Individuals Cannot Be Prosecuted for What They Post On Social Media
In April, a New York appeals court made an important decision reversing a conviction of the crime of falsely reporting an incident in third degree based on First Amendment free-speech rights. In doing so, the court effectively ruled that the state’s law on false reporting of crimes cannot be used to prosecute individuals for… Read More »
Racial Profiling & Arresting African Americans for Wearing Legally-Required Virus Masks
There is no question that there are a number of strange circumstances surrounding coronavirus-related criminal charges appearing in our everyday lives, with some police officers now also reportedly targeting and arresting African-American men simply for wearing masks, a measure that was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in order for every citizen… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Hears & Decides On Crucial Immigration Prosecution & Civil Rights Cases
The Supreme Court has already had a busy month, just in the first few days of March: The Court decided to override federal law and allow the states to take over a certain amount of criminal prosecution of illegal immigrants concerning work authorization issues and, in a potentially historic case, also heard arguments concerning… Read More »
The Most Important Civil Rights Case of the Term Comes Before the U.S. Supreme Court
In November, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in what many are calling the most important civil rights case to come in this term. The case involves a dispute between Comcast and Byron Allen, who is claiming that Comcast refuses to air channels from his company for racist/discriminatory reasons. Comcast Urges Narrow, First-Ever Interpretation… Read More »
New York City Makes It Illegal to Discriminate Against Immigrants
In a somewhat unprecedented move, in early October, New York City moved to make and act on discrimination against immigrants illegal by declaring new guidance on an existing law, which dictates that it is illegal to use the term “illegal alien” to “demean, humiliate, or harass” someone in the workplace. The new guidance makes… Read More »
New York Debates Repealing Ban On Conversion Therapy Due to Civil Rights Lawsuit
New York City Council is currently considering repealing a 2017 law (2018/22, the “Counseling Censorship Law”) that banned conversion therapy, which involves attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation and gender identity. The proposal stems from a looming lawsuit that could have nationwide negative implications if the court sides against the city, and which has… Read More »
