If you’re facing fraud charges, it’s very important to take steps to defend yourself. Those charges could lead to serious penalties, time in prison, high fines and more. A good defense can make a difference and may result in your case being dismissed. For example, a...
New York Criminal Law Blog
What kinds of drug charges can prosecutors level against you?
Most people are aware that the distribution, manufacturing or trafficking of drugs is illegal. So too, however, are many other actions that could be associated with drug activity -- and the seriousness of some of the charges may surprise you. What are the different...
Former airport workers stole $6 million in luxury goods
Three former workers at JFK Airport were arrested for using inside knowledge to steal $6 million in Chanel, Gucci and Prada shipments. In addition to the three airport workers, three others were also indicted for their role in stealing and reselling everything from...
How often do federal criminal defendants get convicted?
The U.S. Attorney's Office generally must first present a case in front of a grand jury and secure an indictment before moving forward in filing federal criminal charges against a defendant. One of the reasons they have this system in place is so prosecutors can feel...
Gun crimes rise in New York City despite anti-violence tactics
Violent offenses have to be taken seriously because New York’s laws are strict. You may have heard that shootings in New York City have increased despite the fact that other serious crime arrests have fallen, and that’s something that you should pay attention to. ...
Why do people make false confessions?
You hear about cases fairly frequently where someone insists that they are innocent, they get convicted anyway, and then that conviction gets overturned by DNA evidence. It’s clear that the person was right the whole time: They didn’t do it. There are other cases,...
The authorities have to follow the law during an investigation
During a prearrest investigation, there are steps that you will want to take to protect yourself. The police have to follow specific legal procedures when you’re arrested and taken into custody. Failing to do so, you could have a case against them or reason to have...
New York violent crimes: Should you accept a plea bargain?
In some criminal cases, defendants who have been accused of violent crimes may be offered a plea deal. Typically, this involves the prosecution offering the defendant a deal in which they plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a lighter sentence. For those...
When can police search my phone?
If you come under suspicion for a serious crime, whether for health care fraud, drug offenses or embezzlement, at some point police may request to search your phone as part of their investigation. However, just as when police may ask to search your residence, you...
Bringing weed back from your vacation could be a federal crime
New York has relaxed its laws about marijuana at the same time that many other states have taken much more drastic steps to reform marijuana policy. Given that New York does not have a legal market for marijuana, which means that you can't just order a delivery...