What you need to know about weapons charges and convictions
Most Americans are aware that the Constitution of the United States gives its citizens the right to bear arms. However, what many Americans do not realize is that the states can regulate exactly what that mean. Hence, in New York, many times there are convictions for carrying firearms, often caused by people simply being unaware of the particular state laws regarding firearms. While sometimes this is done unwittingly, others purposefully try to circumvent the statutes. Whatever the case may be, if you find that you have been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, you need a defense attorney who is knowledgeable in gun control laws.
"But I don't have drugs!" 2 examples of false positive drug tests
Getting stopped by police can be a stressful event, even when you have absolutely no reason to worry. You have not committed a crime and you were going the speed limit. Yet, when those flashing lights appear in your rear view mirror your heart rate may pick up.
Media bias in high-profile criminal trials: Part II
In our last post, we began a discussion about the 1954 murder trial of a man named Sam Sheppard. The Ohio physician was charged with murdering his pregnant wife, despite very little physical evidence linking him to the crime. Police also refused to believe his account of being knocked out and waking up to see an intruder fleeing his home.
Media bias in high-profile criminal trials: Part I
Americans love a good crime story, and "true crime" seems to be especially popular. For a variety of reasons, certain criminal cases gain national attention and become a media circus. Consider the Casey Anthony trial several years ago or the O.J. Simpson trial in the 1990s.
Here's what you should know about robbery and burglary
If you or a loved one is facing robbery charges in New York, there are many things you should know. Some of the information you should arm yourself with is the definitions of the types of crimes you are facing and understand whether it is a felony or misdemeanor
Three things to know about New York's strict gun laws
Although owning a gun is a right protected by the Constitution, various laws are present that regulate ownership. Gun owners should be aware of these laws, as violation can come with harsh penalties.
Any drug possession charges in New York warrant a strong defense
New York City is fighting back against graffiti
It has been 3 years since the major ruling on stop and frisk
In our last post, we wrote about a June Supreme Court ruling that gives police greater powers to conduct unwarranted searches of suspects. Let's say that an officer stops someone without reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, demands ID and then runs a background check on that person. The background check reveals an outstanding arrest warrant for something minor like a traffic infraction. The officer uses this as a justification for searching the suspect.
Supreme Court ruling further erodes search & seizure protections
It is estimated that about 1.2 million people in New York City have outstanding arrest warrants. While this number is probably higher than in most cities, the problem of outstanding warrants is common. Most are related to minor infractions like unpaid parking tickets, so enforcing them is a rather low priority for police departments most of the time.
