Whether the intent is to engage in some urban exploring for fun, to take a shortcut home or to satisfy your curiosity about a quirky neighbor, you and other New York residents should understand that the law does not consider trespassing a harmless activity. The same...
Criminal Defense
First steps in facing criminal charges
If you face criminal charges, you may feel a range of emotions, including fear and confusion. It is quite common to feel bewildered in the face of the criminal justice system, especially for first-time offenders. Many people make mistakes, and this does not mean they...
3 tips for avoiding traffic stops
Traffic stops are always inconvenient and frustrating. When the cops pull you over, you may end up with tickets or criminal charges. Fortunately, there are actions you can take to avoid being a police magnet.Whether you are a little tipsy and do not want a drunk...
Is Your Night About To Get Lit? Safe Partying Tips
A night spent having fun with friends is the perfect way to cap off a busy week. You look forward to it. You think of your plans fondly at the end of a tough shift at work or a long day studying for your next college exam. When the day comes, you just want to let...
Accomplice liability in New York
The company you keep can matter a great deal when it comes to criminal charges. Whether the crime in question involved a bar fight or a massive investment fraud scheme, the law can hold you responsible for something you did not do yourself. Known as accomplice or...
VERDICT: Baker not guilty of murder, guilty on weapons charges
A jury acquitted Lawrence Baker of murder Friday, but declared him guilty on two weapons charges tied to the death of 24-year-old Najee Holmes in Elmira. After about three hours of deliberation, the 12-member jury handed up its decision to Chemung County Judge Richard...
Why people admit to crimes they did not commit
You may have heard of defendants who confess to committing a criminal act only later to claim the confession was false. Many people react skeptically. Why would an innocent person ever admit to unlawful behavior? However, there have been numerous cases where DNA and...
Understanding the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine and how it could save you from criminal conviction
"Fruit of the poisonous tree" is a rather Gothic-sounding phrase for an important evidentiary principle designed to protect the rights of defendants in criminal cases. It expands the boundaries of the exclusionary rule, which prohibits the government from using...
What is the difference between larceny and embezzlement?
Larceny and embezzlement are two closely related but distinct crimes against property. Embezzlement, which New York statutes refer to as grand larceny embezzlement, involves the misuse of property that one can legally access. Larceny, on the other hand, includes...
A Q&A: Know your rights if you get pulled over by the police
Everyone knows that sinking feeling when they see flashing red lights in the rearview mirror. Even if it is a simple traffic violation it is intimidating to get pulled over by a police officer. In light of recent news stories of routine traffic stops getting out of...
