Category Archives: New York Criminal Defense Attorney
A Closer Look at The Latest Charges Against Jeffrey Epstein & Potential Defenses Here In New York
The arrest of billionaire Jeffrey Epstein for his alleged sex crimes has dominated news headlines of late. In 2007, Epstein signed an agreement with the US Attorney‘s Office in Florida, which allowed him to plead to lesser charges (state prostitution versus sexual abuse) and avoid going to prison in exchange for spending 13 months;… Read More »
New York Officially Fails to Decriminalize Marijuana
During the week of June 19, New York state lawmakers failed to reach consensus concerning the state’s proposal to legalize (i.e. decriminalize) the recreational use of marijuana. The legislation, titled the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, would have not only decriminalized the recreational use of marijuana, but also addressed the practice of disproportionately policing… Read More »
Will New York Could Soon Decriminalize Sex Work?
Lawmakers in New York recently proposed legislation that would not only decriminalize prostitution, but also allow for criminal records related to a number of sex crimes to be expunged. Specifically, the proposed legislation– titled the “Stop Violence in the Sex Trades Act—would remove criminal penalties for these workers with the hope of increasing workplace… Read More »
New York Officially Bans ‘Gay & Trans Panic Defense’ In Homicide Cases
On June 19, New York state lawmakers passed a ban on the use of the gay and trans panic defense in homicide cases. Specifically, the legislation will prevent criminal defendants from justifying murder as a response to discovering a victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation. Historically, criminal defendants have, in some circumstances, been successful… Read More »
Only Two Percent of All Federal Criminal Defendants Go to Trial in America: Why This Should Concern You
According to new data assembled by the federal judiciary and analyzed by the Pew Research Center, trials and acquittals are becoming more and more rare over time, presenting a number of criminal justice issues. Specifically, just in fiscal year 2018, almost 80,000 people were criminal defendants and federal cases, but only two percent of… Read More »
New York City Cracks Down On Alleged Criminal Violations of Food Trucks & Ice Cream Vendors
New York City took strict retaliation actions against dozens of vendors and ice cream truck businesses, towing a number of them in early June after claiming that they owed millions in unpaid parking and traffic tickets. Specifically, the administration claims that, between 2009 and 2017, these trucks engaged in a number of criminal violations,… Read More »
New York & New Jersey Take Action to Legalize Marijuana In New York & New Jersey
Lawmakers at the New York State capital are currently undergoing negotiations concerning legislation to legalize a number of activities with respect marijuana throughout New York, including cultivation, consumption, distribution, sales, and taxation of the product. With only three weeks to go before the 2019 legislative session ends, and New York being the largest illegal… Read More »
New York Still Stalled On Decriminalizing Marijuana & Other Activities—Potentially Short by Two Votes in The Senate
Whether or not New York will finally decriminalize marijuana (for recreational use) could come down to two votes in the state Senate. The current measure would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana, as well as allow for the expungement of records for prior marijuana-related convictions. In order to pass the Senate without first obtaining outside… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court to Decide Whether Civil Rights Act Protects LGBT Individuals from Discrimination in The Workplace
During its 2019 2020 session, the US Supreme Court will decide whether LGBT individuals are protected from employment discrimination under the Civil Rights Act. Specifically, the Court will hear three cases involving employment discrimination against those who are gay or transgender and who were fired due to this fact. History of Laws & EEOC… Read More »
New York’s Police Secrecy Law Prevents Addressing Police Misconduct
For a number of years, a New York state police secrecy law has kept a number of families with loved ones who were killed by the police in the dark when it comes to obtaining relevant police misconduct disciplinary records and evidence from grand jury investigations. As a result, these families are rarely able… Read More »
