Criminal Law

Many people in New York may have a mistaken notion that drug offenses are not overly serious. A common assumption is that an arrest for such an offense results only in a misdemeanor charge that may not leave one facing severe criminal penalties (or future...

When you have an encounter with a law enforcement officer, you may feel like everything happens very quickly. You could find yourself agreeing to every request without understanding why the officer needs to know certain details. An understanding of police interactions...

Driving while intoxicated is a serious crime and every state has relatively harsh laws against drivers who commit DUI. Some states have even harsher laws than others, though. It is important to understand the state-specific DUI penalties that you face if you end up...

With New York legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in 2021, business owners and intrepid entrepreneurs have their sights on capitalizing on the budding industry once things get going. That all depends on how quickly New York policymakers draft appropriate...

The violation of your civil rights through a false arrest is a serious matter. You have the right to due process under the U.S. Constitution, so a police officer or anyone else does not have the right to detain you without cause. While you may have grounds to sue for...

As of August 15, 2010, the penalties for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in the state of New York became more stringent. What caused this change and what sort of penalty does a driver with a DWI conviction face? Leandra’s Law The changes in New York Vehicle and...

Federal officials may file money laundering charges against individuals alleged to have used funds generated by illicit activities. According to Whistleblowers.org, allegations may include disguising the source of funds. A conviction requires evidence an individual...

“You are under arrest for assault and battery.” This phrase gets said so often in crime dramas that many people are under the impression that these two terms mean the same thing. In fact, the reality is much more complex than this. Whether or not “assault and battery”...

Sometimes, a case can hinge on witness testimony. What can you do if that witness happens to be a child? According to the American Bar Association, children can make reliable witnesses when approached appropriately. Issues begin to arise when the adults involved do...

When an officer places you under arrest, you usually are quite aware of the reason why. In most cases, even if you do not completely understand the reason, the officer has a legal right to place you under arrest. In some situations, though, the officer may lack the...