Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Legislator: Hate Crimes Law Should Include Bogus 911 Calls
Jesse Hamilton (D-Brooklyn) wants to make the already-broad New York hate crimes law even broader. Mr. Hamilton made national news recently when a white woman confronted him during a campaign stop and subsequently summoned police to the scene. Calls like these “are acts of intimidation,” he said while announcing the proposal. Recent episodes, including… Read More »
The Sexual Offense Registry in New York
For many individuals, the worst punishment for a sex offense is not the prison sentence or lengthy probation, although those things are very, very bad. Perhaps more often than not, New York’s very strict sex offender registry is what scares people the most. Without a doubt, the system is one of the most restrictive… Read More »
Trump Lawyer Lawyers Up In New York
As the federal investigation against him heats up, President Donald Trump’s attorney has hired new legal counsel to help deal with the next criminal procedure phase. In April 2018, law enforcement seized over 3 million documents from Michael Cohen’s home and office in New York. A team of lawyers is currently reviewing those documents… Read More »
Harvey Weinstein Back In Court Over Sex Crimes Allegations
The former movie producer responded to several new allegations during a brief appearance in a Manhattan courtroom. Earlier in July, prosecutors unveiled some additional felony charges against Mr. Weinstein. Another alleged victim has come forward as well. Prosecutors also asked the judge to confine Mr. Weinstein, or at least order house arrest. He is… Read More »
Are New York Marijuana Laws A-Changin’?
BREAKING: Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance today has announced that, as of tomorrow, they will no longer prosecute any offense related to Marijuana possession or smoking. During this midterm election year, there may be a different kind of fight in New York, as a governor’s panel just recommended that the Empire State legalize… Read More »
Mayor de Blasio Scales Back NYC Marijuana Arrests
Under considerable pressure from scientists and civil rights groups, Mayor Bill de Blasio instructed the NYPD to greatly reduce the number of marijuana arrests in the city. Effective September 1, officers will no longer arrest most people for smoking marijuana in public. Instead, these individuals will receive a criminal summons, which is basically like… Read More »
Troubled Former Met Back In Trouble Again
More details recently emerged in the latest Lenny Dykstra saga, as Linfield police released boy-cam footage of his recent arrest following an altercation with an Uber driver. The 55-year-old former outfielder claimed that the Uber driver drove recklessly and locked him in the car. “He kidnapped me,” Mr. Dykstra told police officers. No charges… Read More »
NYPD Investigates Possible Hate Crime
Police are looking for two men who allegedly assaulted a 25-year-old schoolteacher because he is gay. Brandon Soriano speculates that the men sought him out after he attended a gay pride rally in Queens. They caught up with him that night in Jackson Heights, near the corner of 84th Street and 37th Avenue. Mr…. Read More »
NYPD Looking Into Possible Mario Batali Sex Crimes
During a recent interview, an unnamed woman accused the celebrity chef of drugging and raping her in 2005. The woman says she recalled joining Mr. Batali for a glass of wine at a Manhattan restaurant that he often frequented. Sometime later, she says she woke up on the floor feeling woozy and violated. She… Read More »
NYC To Limit Marijuana Prosecutions
Mayor Bill De Blasio said he wanted the police department to “end unnecessary arrests” related to marijuana possession, and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said his agency would stop prosecuting low-level possession and smoking offenses. What do these changes mean for you? Mr. Vance cited a report which concluded that marijuana possession arrests… Read More »
