New York State Criminal Defense
Telephone 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 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 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…
Read MoreChild Abuse in New York
“Child abuse” is a term used to describe serious crimes committed against children. They include but are not limited to, sexual assault, physical injury and the threat of physical injury. Individuals that have committed acts of child neglect or abuse can be charged with one or more of the following crimes: Endangering the welfare of…
Read MoreProstitution: One of the oldest crimes
On January 28, 2016 Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance announced the conviction of Damon Hayes, 45, for running a sex trafficking operation in January, 2014. The ring included Yolanda Ostoloza, 41, who was charged separately, and her 15-year-old daughter, whom Hayes had forcibly trafficked. The New York jury found him guilty of all charges in…
Read MoreIdentity Theft: Role-playing can cost you
On January 21, 2016 Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. confirmed the indictment of Chester Taylor, Daniel Persaud, and nine other defendants for making over $700,000 worth of fraudulent bank withdrawals. Because they allegedly impersonated legitimate account holders to access the money, they were (in addition to other offenses) charged with Identity Theft in…
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