Assault
I’ve Been Arrested for Assault – Is This a Misdemeanor or Felony?
You’ve gotten into a physical altercation with another person and now you have been arrested for “assault”. The question many defendants often ask is whether they have been charged with misdemeanor assault or felony assault. It is an important distinction to understand, as the consequences for both can significantly impact your future. In New York,…
Read MoreWhat are the most common holiday crimes?
While criminal activity is not restricted to the holidays, certain crimes appear to become more frequent once December rolls around. The period between Thanksgiving and New Year has long been recognized as a time when reported crimes go up, supposedly due to increased opportunity and financial desperation. To help keep you safe this holiday season,…
Read MoreYou were arrested for what?
Did you know that in New York, if a police officer catches you flirting, you can be fined $25? If this antiquated law were enforced, then most of the city would be in danger. It’s been on the books for over 100 years and probably dates back to January 1902, when state Assemblyman Francis G. Landon…
Read MoreYou have the right to remain silent: History of the Miranda warning
“You have the right to remain silent….” Most of us can recite the remainder of that statement by heart, even if we’ve never been arrested. It’s included in the script of every police drama and reality TV show dedicated to police procedure. What is not so well known is the story behind the so-called “Miranda”…
Read MoreLive-streaming crimes
These days, social media documents practically everything we do, from birthday parties to vacations and weddings. Now it appears that people are using Facebook, Periscope, and other Internet platforms to live stream their crimes. In April of 2016, 18-year-old Marina Lonina and 29-year-old Raymond Gates, both residents of Ohio, were arrested after Gates raped Lonina’s…
Read MoreIs DNA evidence always foolproof?
DNA made its first appearance in the mid-1980s, but it wasn’t until 1987 that it became an integral part of the U.S. criminal justice system. On February 5 of that year, an Orange County, Florida jury convicted serial rapist Tommy Lee Andrews after tests matched his DNA to a semen sample taken from one of…
Read MoreWhen love turns dangerous—stalking charges in New York
Valentine’s Day is only a few days away, reminding us that we have a limited amount of time left to buy chocolates and flowers and make romantic dinner reservations. These are standard ways that we celebrate the day with our significant other. But what if that significant other doesn’t feel the same way about you?…
Read MoreNot everyone is Harvey Weinstein: Sex crimes in New York
Newspaper headlines everywhere are broadcasting the accusations of sexual misconduct currently being leveled at Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and many other public figures. Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd, and Angelina Jolie are among the actresses who have gone public with allegations of assault, harassment, and rape. A New York Times expose suggested that Weinstein has made…
Read MoreProtect yourself from false accusations of domestic violence
Being accused of domestic violence can change your life forever, even if you are never convicted. It is one of those highly-publicized offenses that inspires powerful—and negative—emotions, so a mere accusation is enough to do irreparable damage to your reputation and future. What inspires false accusations? There are several reasons why your spouse or partner…
Read MoreTraffic crimes in New York City
An estimated 4,000 New Yorkers suffer serious injury in vehicle-related accidents every year, and over 250 people die as a result of these collisions. These statistics, along with the fact that being hit by a car is the leading cause of fatal injuries for children under 14, has driven the formation of the Vision Zero Action…
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