Criminal Defense
Mock burglaries produce patterns among ex-burglars and non-burglars alike
A study published by researchers from the University of Portsmouth, UK and the University of Sussex, UK in 2014 studied the behaviors of ex-burglars and postgraduate students who had never participated in a burglary. This study was particularly significant because it used a real house and a house simulated on a laptop unlike prior studies,…
Read MoreTelephone fraud
Telephone fraud, also known as telemarketing fraud, covers a wide range of crimes. The common goal of such fraud is to deceive the victim into parting with money or valuable personal information, such as bank accounts and credit card numbers. Commonly reported phone scams include: Pyramid schemes: Victims are persuaded to buy into a business…
Read MoreProbation violation
The criminal justice system in New York often takes a heavy-handed approach to probation violations. Anyone convicted of a VOP, or a violation of probation, can face a heavy fine and incarceration for the duration of their original sentence. Probation vs. parole Although often confused, the two conditions are not the same. Parole is an…
Read MoreWhy it is dangerous to follow the advice of friends and family after an arrest
Many individuals in New York make the mistake of trusting their friends, relatives or colleagues for advice about to how to handle their criminal case. This can be a huge mistake. While some people might claim to be experts on many different types of criminal cases, they likely do not have the education or training…
Read MoreHeroin possession
On March 10, 2016, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and New York City Police Commissioner confirmed the indictment of 20 defendants for their individual roles in two drug trafficking organizations responsible for distributing heroin and PCP in Manhattan and the Bronx. Detectives executing the search warrants seized, among other things, 14 kilograms of heroin, 14…
Read MoreCriminal Tax Fraud
Last July, John Cisneros, who prepares taxes, was indicted for preparing fraudulent returns and defrauding the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Cisneros, who was charged in New York State Supreme Court, faced several counts, including Criminal Tax Fraud in the First, Second, and Third Degrees. He is said to have prepared more…
Read MoreUnderage drinking
Underage drinking is an offense that can have serious repercussions on a young person’s future, especially when motor vehicles are involved. Although less than 10% of all licensed drivers in New York State are under 21, the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility states that they still account for 14% of all drunk driving fatalities. For…
Read MoreI spy: Being charged with unlawful surveillance in New York
In today’s digital era, many of us are under some form of surveillance as we go about our daily business: traffic cameras on the street and security cameras in retail establishments come to mind. Some forms of surveillance, however, are illegal. Unlawful surveillance takes place when someone installs a hidden camera in a place where…
Read MoreAssault on a police officer
Early on the morning of July 20, 2014, two NYPD officers approached a man in the lobby of a New York City Housing Authority building on Park Avenue, near 105th Street in East Harlem. The man, 26-year-old Joseph Pica, attempted to run for the lobby exit, but a female officer grabbed his sweatshirt when he…
Read MoreAccess device fraud
Access device fraud, otherwise known as Criminal Use of an Access Device, is the fraudulent use of a card, account number or any other means of illegally accessing an account in order to transfer funds or obtain money, goods, or services. Examples include using someone’s debit card without their permission or using a counterfeit credit…
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