Category Archives: Criminal Defense
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 […]
What Are Your Plea Bargain Options in a DWI Case?
If you’ve been charged with drunken or impaired driving in New York State, you face substantial negative consequences, such as fines and license suspension. In some cases, it is possible to plea bargain a DWI to obtain a more favorable outcome. However, New York law restricts plea bargains for certain DWI offenses. Knowing your options […]
The Limits of New York’s Marijuana Legalization Law
New York has generally legalized recreational use and possession of marijuana and cannabis-containing products. However, there are still restrictions that you need to know in order to avoid possible criminal prosecution. Here is a summary of what is now legal in New York for individuals age 21 or older: You can possess up to three […]
“Less Is More” Law Brings Major Reform of New York Parole System
In September 2021, New York adopted a new law that significantly changes parole policies and procedures in the state. Known as the “Less Is More Act,” the law aims to reduce incarceration rates in the state and to make the parole system more fair and just for everyone involved and for the public at large. […]
Defending Yourself Against a Hate Crime Charge in New York
A hate crime is one that is motivated by a victim’s perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation. When an offense is classified as a hate crime, the law provides for greater levels of punishment, known as penalty enhancements. New York hate crimes can be misdemeanors or felonies, […]
New Discovery Rules Increase Defendants’ Access to Prosecutors’ Files
As of 2020, New York has adopted major changes to its discovery rules in criminal cases, making more information available to defendants quickly and easily. Until the reforms, New York’s criminal discovery law — sometimes called the “blindfold law” — was among the most restrictive in the nation. Discovery is the process by which lawyers […]
Recent Laws Roll Back New York Bail Reforms
A year after New York lawmakers passed sweeping bail reforms that drastically reduced the numbers of defendants in pretrial detention, pressure from police and prosecutors has caused a rollback of some of the changes. The new laws eliminated bail for the majority of misdemeanors and non-violent felonies. Instead of having to post cash bail or […]
