Category Archives: Criminal Law
New York Drug Treatment Courts Offer Relief to Accused Individuals With Substance Addictions
Despite decades of harsh drug laws in New York and elsewhere, substance addiction still causes widespread death and misery. Many authorities and experts have concluded that long prison sentences are not the best solution for some individuals convicted of drug crimes, and might even make things worse for people struggling with the abuse of controlled […]
State Reduces Number of Drunk-Driving Convictions Required for License Forfeiture
In New York and around the country, state legislatures continue to seek ways to reduce the incidence of driving while intoxicated. Penalties for motorists who operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs have increased over time, and now there is a new focus on multiple offenders. A law recently enacted here makes […]
The Most Prosecuted Illegal Drug Crimes in New York
New York’s drug laws are among the strictest in the nation, focusing on both punishing offenders and abating the opioid crisis. The illegal drugs most frequently prosecuted in the state include cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA (Ecstasy). These drugs are often the targets of take-down operations aimed at distribution rings, but even simple possession […]
When May You Plea Bargain a DWI to a “Wet Reckless”?
In New York, a “wet reckless” plea bargain refers to a reduced charge that replaces a standard charge of driving while intoxicated (DWI). The term is used informally to describe reckless operation of a vehicle with alcohol influencing the driver’s abilities, but at a level of impairment less severe than what would constitute a DWI […]
How New York’s Revised Law Will Change Rape Prosecutions
New York’s adoption of the “Rape Is Rape Act” marks a significant shift in the prosecution of sexual offenses in New York State. This law, set to take effect on September 1, 2024, broadens the definition of rape to include any form of vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact, whereas the current law limits rape […]
