Author Archives: Maurice J. Verrillo
How Prosecutors Try to Prove “Intent to Sell” in Drug Possession Cases
The State of New York regularly prosecutes drug crimes. The state penal code distinguishes possessing drugs for personal use from selling drugs for profit. The penalties for selling illegal drugs are much more severe. To convict someone of “possession with intent to sell” the state must prove that the accused planned to sell or distribute […]
When Can Grandparents Be Awarded Child Visitation?
Many grandparents treasure the relationships they maintain with their grandchildren. Sometimes, however, this precious connection can be disrupted. After a divorce, the custodial parent might not want or care to see their ex-spouse’s family, and the non-custodial parent might have a limited visitation schedule with their children, during which they will want to concentrate on […]
What Creates a Contested Divorce, and How Do You Avoid It?
In an uncontested divorce, the spouses settle all financial and parenting issues between themselves and jointly ask the court to dissolve the marriage on no-fault grounds. But when the spouses have significant differences over property division, child custody, visitation rights, child support or spousal support, the court must decide these issues, which makes the divorce […]
What Should You Do – and Not Do – if You’re Pulled Over for DWI
Being stopped by police on possible suspicion of drunk driving can be a harrowing experience. If this happens to you, your actions can make a big difference in how the police investigation proceeds and what charges might eventually be filed. If you see the flashing lights of a police car behind you signaling you to […]
New York Small Estate Administration: How it Works
Probate, a court process for settling decedents’ estates, can be expensive and time consuming. If an estate is small, the cost of a traditional probate might consume most of the assets, leaving little for the heirs. That is why New York law permits some smaller estates to go through a faster, less expensive process called […]
Are Children’s Preferences Considered in Custody and Visitation Cases?
In a divorce or separation, it can be difficult to formulate child custody and visitation arrangements that work for everyone in the family. Each parent has their own opinions about what the schedule should be. When the parents can’t agree, a judge must weigh numerous factors to decide on the right arrangement. Since every family […]
How Can You Get Your Criminal Records Sealed in New York?
A criminal conviction can follow you long after you’ve completed your sentence. The conviction appears on your criminal record, which can hinder your ability to get a job, pursue education or find a place to live. Fortunately, in recent years, New York has expanded the availability of record sealing, allowing more people to keep their […]
Strategies for Contesting Domestic Violence Charges
Domestic violence refers to emotional, physical, psychological or economic abuse between family members, those sharing a home or people in intimate relationships. There is no specific crime called domestic violence under New York law. Rather, these types of conduct are prosecuted as other crimes — such as assault, menacing, stalking or strangulation — and are […]
Defenses in New York Drug Possession Cases
The crime of drug possession means that a person willfully holds or has physical control of an illegal substance, such as methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine or unlawfully obtained prescription drugs. Depending on the type of drug and the quantity involved, possession charges can lead to serious criminal penalties including fines and prison time. Although being caught […]
Key Ways to Help Your Lawyer With Your Accident Lawsuit
If you were injured in an accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to be fully compensated for your losses. Such litigation is complex and requires retaining an experienced attorney. However, your involvement in the case doesn’t end there. There are things you should do […]
