Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Campus Criminal Rape Policies & Investigations Draw Concern
New Education Secretary Betsy DeVos met with women who have been the victims of sexual assault, as well as the accused, and their families, on July 13th in an effort to re-examine the recent campus sexual assault policies of the Obama administration. Specifically, some are concerned that these policies may be significantly violating the… Read More »
Sanctuary Cities Defend Themselves to the Justice Department
Certain cities and jurisdictions (including New York) labeled “sanctuary” cities have been accused by the Trump administration of violating federal immigration statutes and interfering with the federal government’s initiative in removing “criminal” illegal immigrants from the country. As a result, the Justice Department has warned these cities, counties, and states that they risked losing… Read More »
Jury or Judge?
As highlighted by a recent article in Staten Island Real-Time News, criminal defendants who go to trial usually have to choose between being judged by a jury of their peers or by a judge. Most rightfully choose a jury of their peers, as the collective wisdom of 12 individuals randomly selected from the population… Read More »
New Jersey Couples Accused Of Welfare Fraud
On June 28th, 14 people were arrested in New Jersey and charged with public-assistance fraud in connection with federal and state raids that are allegedly linked to approximately $2 million. According to the prosecutor’s office, those accused wrongfully collected hundreds of thousands in Medicaid, nutrition assistance, Social Security, utilities assistance, federal housing funds, Sandy… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Will Hear Case on Legalization of Sports Betting In New Jersey
On June 27th, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will hear the state of New Jersey’s appeal to legalize sports betting even though the U.S. Solicitor General recommended against it. The state has been fighting the battle to legalize sports betting in casinos and at racetracks for the last five years while being… Read More »
Court Finds Mindset & Intention Irrelevant In Wildlife Crimes
On June 21, a federal court found the Justice Department’s longstanding policy of deciding under what circumstances it would prosecute individuals who killed animals protected under the Endangered Species Act to be outside the range of prosecutorial authority. At issue in the case was a policy known as the “McKittrick Policy,” originally stemming from… Read More »
What Is a Mistrial, and How Does It Relate To Double Jeopardy?
Many of us have tuned into Bill Cosby’s trial this last month, which recently ended in a hung jury (mistrial). Specifically, the jury deliberated for 52 hours before a mistrial was declared because they were deadlocked. Cosby is currently free on bail, but also appears to be awaiting a retrial of the criminal case,… Read More »
Is The United States Now Regularly Arresting Asylum Seekers?
On June 13th, The New York Times highlighted one human rights victim’s plight seeking asylum in the United States, only to be immediately placed in handcuffs and prepared for deportation. Marco Coello was tortured by Venezuelan security services for joining a demonstration against the government, after which he fled to the United States seeking… Read More »
New York City Council Declares Certain Minor Offenses Will No Longer Draw Criminal Summons
Historically, public urination in New York resulted in a criminal summons. However, the New York City Council recently decided that such activity should draw a civil ticket rather than involve prosecuting people. In doing so, the council also downgraded similar activities, such as public drunkenness, instead mandating that offenders attend an administrative hearing versus… Read More »
Video Captures New Jersey Police Breaking Protocol In Pursuing Suspect
A police incident on June 4th involving a night pursuit that lasted for six miles and ended in serious injuries for an innocent man had Mayor Steve Fulop accusing some members of the police force of technically breaking protocol during the pursuit on June 8th. The department now faces intense criticism over video footage… Read More »