Tag Archives: New York Criminal Defense Attorney
In Spite Of New Record Sealing Law, Many In New York Still Have Criminal Records Unsealed
On July 4, the New York Times covered an important story about “expungement” (or, rather, record sealing) in states like New York, and how so few have been able to have their records sealed in spite of the new law that went into effect in October 2017. This law allows anyone with a conviction… Read More »
Can PTSD Lead To Violent Criminal Behavior?
We’ve previously addressed the link between brain trauma and violent, criminal behavior: It is an increasingly important topic in the field of criminal defense, as more and more research demonstrates that brain trauma can influence behavior and even lead to people committing crimes, in some circumstances. This is especially important when it comes to… Read More »
Did The Biggest Federal Opioid And Health Care Sting In New Jersey Involve Entrapment?
During the week of June 28th, eight people in New Jersey were arrested in what officials have called the “largest health care fraud and opioid enforcement action ever taken by the Justice Department.” Police reportedly relied on confidential informants and undercover officers to infiltrate the alleged drug ring, making at least eight controlled purchases… Read More »
The “Gay Or Trans Panic Defense” Could Be On The Way Out
It is a little-known fact that, today, anyone charged with assault or murder can argue that their charges should be reduced because they were simply reacting to their victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation in all but three states (California, Illinois, and Rhode Island). This criminal defense is known as the “gay or trans… Read More »
Supreme Court Rules Police Need A Warrant To Acquire Cell-Site Records From Wireless Carriers
On June 22nd, the U.S. Supreme Court made a monumental decision upholding protection of privacy under the Fourth Amendment when it decided that the government (i.e. police and law enforcement) first needed to obtain a warrant (and thus demonstrate probable cause) before tracking an individual’s location using cell phone records. The decision makes an… Read More »
A Close Look At The Issue Of False Confessions
Every day, defendants plead guilty to crimes they did not commit; all over the country. This is often done in order to “get a deal”; public defenders making deals with prosecutors and their clients for lighter sentences or some other form of consideration. Thinking about how many of these could involve untrue confessions is… Read More »
June Marks Major Step For Marijuana Legalization In New York
This week (June 18th), New York took important steps towards legalizing marijuana: The state health commissioner first recommended legalizing the drug. Mayor de Blasio then announced that the city would start handing out tickets to people smoking marijuana instead of arresting them. While the recreational use of marijuana in New York is still technically… Read More »
“The Case For Shutting Down New York City’s Rikers Island Jail”
We’ve discussed issues at New York’s Rikers Island facility before, documenting the significant number of violent incidents and violations of inmates’ constitutional rights at the facility, which investigators have documented and some legislators have cited as reasons to close the facility within the next 10 years. Now on a mission to reform New York’s… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Decides Police Officers Need Search Warrants To Inspect Vehicles In Driveways
On May 29th, the U.S. Supreme Court made an important decision that will impact thousands of potential criminal defendants each year in holding that privacy protections extend to vehicles that are parked in a driveway or carport. In other words, police need a search warrant before inspecting vehicles parked in front of your home… Read More »
Recreational Marijuana And Sports Gambling Could Soon Become Legal In New York
On May 14th, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on sports gambling, opening up the possibility for states to pass laws allowing for the activity as they see fit. While New Jersey has already passed a law to allow for sports gambling, New York is also expected to in the next… Read More »
