Tag Archives: New York Criminal Defense Attorneys
Probation Can Be A “Land Mine”
An Op-Ed written by Jay-Z and published by the New York Times highlights some of the problems associated with how our criminal justice system handles and punishes parole violations. The opinion follows Meek Mill, who was just recently sentenced to two to four years in prison for violating his probation. If you look closer,… Read More »
Nature Versus Nurture: Juror Bias Against Criminal Defendants With Mental Disorders
A new study out of the University of Missouri looks at to what extent jurors assign blame when it comes to criminal defendants with mental disorders. The study sheds light on how society assigns blame and punishment for crime based on why and how defendants acquire mental disorders. While historically, the understanding has been… Read More »
Anthony Weiner Conviction Draws Attention to Issues with Federal Sentencing Guidelines
On September 25th, former congressman Anthony Weiner who once represented New York’s 9th congressional district was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment for providing obscene materials to a minor, including child pornography, and related crimes. Yet, aside from all the national attention the story has received, Weiner’s sentencing is interesting for an entirely other reason:… Read More »
What Is “Domestic Terrorism”? Is It A Crime?
Although the U.S. Code defines the phrase “domestic terrorism,” and many states and localities have adopted penalties for it as a crime, “domestic terrorism” is not an actual federal crime in and of itself under federal law because there are no federal penalties provided for. However, that’s not to say that there aren’t plenty… Read More »
Reform of New York Criminal Justice Laws Sought
New York defense attorneys and the New York State Bar Association are currently calling on the legislature to overturn the state’s “Blindfold Law,” which allows important evidence—such as witness statements and/or police reports—to be kept from the defense until right before trial (i.e. the day the trial begins). Senator Avella recently announced that he… Read More »
Defendant in Notorious Hudson River Drowning Case Pleads Guilty To Negligent Homicide
On July 24, the accused defendant in the kayak death on the Hudson which captured headlines pled guilty to criminally negligent homicide. The defendant—Angelika Graswald—was accused of tampering with her fiancé’s kayak and purposely leaving him to drown in the Hudson River. Graswald pled guilty to criminally negligent homicide and will now spend between… Read More »
Brooklyn Moves to Protect Foreign-Born Citizens Accused Of Petty Crimes
One by one, various cities are resisting the deportation and/or detention of immigrants charged with certain misdemeanors or nonviolent crimes. For example, just this week, the Brooklyn district attorney’s office promised to seek equal and fair justice for the borough’s vulnerable foreign-born residents. The federal Justice department recently threatened to cut off federal funding… Read More »
Sessions’ Blow to Forensic Science Is Troubling For Justice in Criminal Conviction Cases
Recently Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that that the Department of Justice was disbanding the National Commission on Forensic Science and, instead, returning complete control of forensic science over to local law enforcement. In the same vein, Sessions suspended the department’s review of closed cases for evidence of any inaccurate or unsupported statements by… Read More »
NYPD Detective Charged In Connection With Acts of Public Lewdness
One particular set of crimes in New York has recently captured the news headlines, perhaps because it involved a NYPD detective who was charged in connection with four separate incidents of public lewdness on Long Island on Monday, March 27th. In addition to facing four counts of public lewdness, the detective now also faces… Read More »
It Could Become a Crime to Declaw Cats in New Jersey
On January 23rd, New Jersey State lawmakers will vote on whether to send Governor Christie a bill that would make it illegal for veterinarians to declaw cats in the state; a procedure known as onychectomy. Specifically, although there would be exceptions for medical purposes, any veterinarians (or anyone else) found engaging in the practice,… Read More »
