Criminal Defense
5 Dumb Moves to Avoid When You’re Facing Criminal Charges in NYC
From the moment you are arrested and charged with a crime, your position becomes precarious. Even small missteps can weaken your chances of making it through this event without serious, life-changing consequences. Education is the best defense. Memorize these points, even if you’re not being accused of a crime right now. And if you have…
Read More5 Common Types of Welfare Fraud
Welfare fraud is a serious crime. It’s a form of theft that can keep people from getting the help they need when they truly need it. It also involves a great deal of bureaucracy, which means if you fail to understand the requirements of your program you may end up committing fraud by accident. And…
Read MoreDid You Just Commit Credit Card Fraud?
It’s more likely than you think. The vast majority of credit card fraud cases involve the big players: people who are purposefully committing identity theft or who are using stolen or counterfeit card data to make purchases. But that doesn’t mean unintentional credit card fraud doesn’t happen. And when it does, perfectly normal people who…
Read MoreWhat to Do if You Are Accused of Bankruptcy Fraud in New York City
Most people get all the way through bankruptcy without a hitch. But every now and then, something goes wrong. Maybe you tried filing on your own and you made a mistake. Maybe you forgot to tell your lawyer something important, or missed a financial document you really should have shared. Maybe you did something prior…
Read MoreNew Legislation In New York: The Child Victims Act
On January 28, 2019, the New York State Assembly voted on groundbreaking legislation, entitled the NEW YORK CHILD VICTIMS ACT, which would change the landscape for many future civil and criminal charges stemming from sexual abuse now barred by the statute of limitations. It is now up to the Governor to sign the Act into…
Read MoreUnderstanding New York’s Murder Statute
As a former homicide prosecutor and legal analyst for the Law and Crime Network, I often get asked to explain New York’s Murder statute and how it differs from other states. Keep in mind, that all states have their own definition of Murder. But New York’s version is fairly unique. First of all, it is…
Read MoreArraignment in New York: What to Expect
It might come as a surprise, but a defendant doesn’t go from arrest to criminal trial overnight. There are several intervening procedures that take place before a defendant appears in front of a jury. The first step in any criminal matter in New York is an arraignment. Arraignment in New York is the first appearance…
Read MoreWhat Is Considered a Hate Crime in New York?
At the end of 2018, the New York Police Department (NYPD) released certain statistics on crime in New York City. One of the disturbing numbers was a small, but noticeable, spike in the number of hate crimes reported last year. These numbers reflect a similar trend throughout the State of New York, with hate crime…
Read MoreWhen words can be criminal: Harassment defense in New York
Most of us know someone who annoys or bothers us. Sometimes they are a former romantic partner, other times they can be a family member, ex-friend, or one-time colleague. On occasion it’s a party we have no personal or professional association with. What can we do about someone like this? As long as their actions…
Read MoreWhat are the most common holiday crimes?
While criminal activity is not restricted to the holidays, certain crimes appear to become more frequent once December rolls around. The period between Thanksgiving and New Year has long been recognized as a time when reported crimes go up, supposedly due to increased opportunity and financial desperation. To help keep you safe this holiday season,…
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