New York State Criminal Defense
Now you can pay bail online
Traditionally, the only way to post bail for someone in New York City was to make the payment in person at one of the jails or courts. A fax message was then sent to the facility holding the person to indicate that their bail was posted and they were free to go. The system’s flaws…
Read MoreManhattan District Attorney will stop prosecuting marijuana smoking and possession
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance has confirmed that starting August 1, his office will no longer be prosecuting marijuana smoking and possession cases. The announcement was the result of six months of policy analysis and research that included discussions with legal authorities in areas where marijuana possession and use is no longer a criminal…
Read MoreDouble Jeopardy: What it is and when it doesn’t apply
We hear the term “double jeopardy” thrown around a lot in courtroom dramas and there’s even a 1999 movie of the same name. Despite—or perhaps because of—the fact that the term is so prevalent in popular culture, the true meaning is not well understood outside of the legal profession. Double jeopardy, which is referenced in…
Read MoreCriminal law: What you see on TV vs. reality
Crime TV has been entertaining us for generations. From the black and white Perry Mason courtroom dramas to the dark and gritty episodes of Law and Order, we’ve been educated on how the criminal justice system works—or have we? These shows are so engaging and well-written that it’s easy to forget that they only imitate…
Read MoreHow has arson evolved as a crime in New York?
Arson became a big issue in New York City in the 1970’s. In fact, arson was what some would even consider a fact of life back then– in 1976, there were 13,752 reported cases of arson. Compare that to 2012 numbers like 2,000 and it is interesting to look back at how this issue evolved…
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 MoreRevenge porn: New York City’s newest crime
For many people, it’s a phenomenon that has gone unpunished for far too long. Seductive and even sexually explicit images or videos of men and women are regularly posted online, usually as an act of revenge by former sexual partners. Dubbed “revenge porn,” it has caused embarrassment, distress and depression that some victims find impossible…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between a trial jury and a grand jury?
A lot of confusion exists about the difference between a trial jury and a grand jury, as well as their respective roles in a New York criminal case. Let’s define each one and take a close look at how they work in the criminal justice system. Trial juries When you watch a news report or…
Read MoreEquifax breach highlights cyber crimes
The recent Equifax data breach has been cited as one of the biggest incidents of its kind. It highlighted the alarming reality that every person and company can have their sensitive information stolen by hackers at any time and spawned dozens of class action lawsuits filed by both consumers and shareholders. Lawmakers are now reconsidering…
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