What Are The Different Degrees of Arson?

In short, you can be charged with arson if you create a fire or explosion that causes property damage, whether it was accidental or intentional. However, there are several different degrees of this crime that are largely dependent on the value of the property and whether anyone was harmed in the process. This means that…

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Theft of Services: New York Law Explained

Although someone unlawfully taking money, cars, or other high value physical items is usually brought to mind when we hear about a person committing a theft, theft of services is another common form of stealing that doesn’t necessarily involve the taking of  physical property. Instead, it means utilizing a service and failing to properly compensate…

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What are the Penalties for Assaulting a Police Officer?

What are the Penalties for Assaulting a Police Officer in New York State? Assaulting a police officer in New York state is considered a violent felony with the potential to land you in prison anywhere from two years, all the way to a life sentence.  In New York state, violent crimes committed against law enforcement…

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What is Grand Larceny? New York Law Meaning Explained

Despite being one of the most commonly committed ‘White Collar’ crimes in New York City, many people don’t fully understand what grand larceny is – or the ramifications for committing this crime in any degree. Here, we’ll define the different degrees of grand larceny, provide some examples of what could be considered larceny in New…

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What is Unlawful Surveillance?

‘Unlawful Surveillance’ is the term used when someone intentionally uses or installs an imaging device to ‘surreptitiously’ view, broadcast or record a person dressing, undressing, or engaging in sexual or other intimate conduct without such person’s knowledge and when they would otherwise have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Unlawful surveillance charges are a relatively new…

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What Are Affinity Frauds?

‘Affinity fraud’ is the term used when an individual or organization uses their standing in a group to encourage victims to buy into a fraudulent investment scheme. In times of economic instability, the number of affinity fraud cases generally goes up dramatically – as do convictions – so it’s useful to understand what this type…

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Filing a False Police Report: NY Law Explained

 When you go on record with New York law enforcement – even for something that feels like a very minor incident – your words will be very carefully scrutinized. If something you say in a police report is found to be false, you could face serious charges. Falsely reporting an incident is a crime, and…

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Is Hacking a Crime? United States Hacking Laws Explained

While some state laws can be traced back hundreds of years, computer hacking, computer fraud – and similar computer crimes – are a comparatively new area of law. Since the federal laws relating to computer hacking are so new, it can sometimes be challenging to find a defense attorney with extensive working experience relating to…

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What is Contempt of Court?

If you’ve ever watched a television legal drama, like “Better Call Saul” or “All Rise,” you’ve probably watched the judge slam down the gavel and threaten to hold an attorney or a witness “in contempt.” What exactly does it mean to be in Contempt of Court? What are the potential punishments?  Definition of Contempt of…

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