While the immediate legal penalties of criminal convictions – such as jail time, fines, and criminal records – are well documented, there are many hidden costs of a criminal conviction in New York that are less obvious. In many cases, these kinds of ‘hidden’ consequences of a conviction can play a part in your life for longer than most jail sentences would. In this blog, we’ll explain what these consequences are, how they might be avoided or mitigated – and why these life-changing factors make it absolutely essential that New Yorkers choose the right criminal attorney if they find themselves f ..read more

It’s easy to assume that government agencies and law enforcement officers always operate with a person’s Constitutional rights at the heart of what they do. Unfortunately though, this isn’t always the case.  While many police and law enforcement officers in NYC work diligently to uphold the constitutional rights of individuals along with New Yorkers’ local laws, there have been many instances where these rights are overlooked or violated. As such, the role of a criminal defense attorney is a crucial one – making sure your rights are protected and upheld during any contact with law enforce ..read more

If you, or someone you know, has been indicted or arrested on domestic violence charges, you must contact an experienced domestic violence lawyer. Domestic violence is a serious crime in New York, and can carry a range of penalties – the most extreme being life in prison. New York State rarely allows any domestic violence charges to be dropped due to their sensitive nature, and it pursues an aggressive mandatory arrest policy. Regardless of your guilt, a charge of domestic violence can affect your reputation, your career, and your life in general. It’s important you have the proper representat ..read more

Being questioned by police officers can be an incredibly stressful experience, even when you haven’t committed a crime. But not many people realize that simply talking to the police without a lawyer present is one of the most dangerous things you can do. It’s natural to want to try and explain your innocence to officers, but this can, and usually will, have disastrous consequences. Even speaking to the police as a witness carries a risk of being implicated in a crime, so always consult a lawyer beforehand. The police want to speak to you when you’re alone, nervous, and unprepared. You’re more ..read more

Navigating the intricacies of federal criminal cases in New York City is not for the faint-hearted. Between the blurred lines of jurisdiction, relentless prosecutorial forces, and the often-confusing tangle of federal statutes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That said, when someone’s future is on the line, it’s absolutely essential you overcome these challenges and make sure every move you make – no matter how small – is informed by an experienced criminal attorney. In this post, we’ll explore the complexities that make federal cases so challenging in NYC, providing a clear view of the situati ..read more

If you’re arrested, it’s easy to start thinking about worst-case scenarios. If you’re facing a felony charge, your mind might race to typical sentences for the crime you’re accused of. Even if you’re caught up in the criminal justice system for misdemeanor offenses, you’ll probably think about the impact a conviction might have on employment, family, and day-to-day life. Fortunately, there are many steps and actions you can take to help you try to avoid these worst-case scenarios. With the right factors on your side, you may even find your case acquitted when you appear before a New York City ..read more

If you’re convicted of a crime in New York, you could be forgiven for thinking that a jail sentence, probation, or fines are the only consequences you’ll face. While these are the factors that will have an immediate impact on your life, there’s a long list of consequences that can follow you for far longer – often for your entire life. In this guide, we’ll explain what those consequences are and the very real impact they can have on several areas of your life, including: Employment Housing Retirement/pension benefits Immigration status Travel and leisure Reputation Friendships and relationshi ..read more

New York City is home to hundreds of criminal defense law firms and thousands of criminal defense lawyers. While every criminal defense lawyer has to have passed the Bar to represent you if you’re facing criminal charges, not all have the criminal law experience to make sure you stand the best possible chances in your case. In this blog, we’ll explain why it’s important to have an experienced NYC criminal defense lawyer on your side if you want to stand the best possible chance of fighting charges and minimizing disruption to your life. What is criminal defense? It’s easy to assume all attorn ..read more

Thanks to the principles laid out in The Sixth Amendment, New York’s criminal justice system is, in theory, one of the fairest and just in the world. The trouble is, theory means very little when an otherwise good system gets tangled in a mix of inequality, bureaucracy, and funding issues. In this blog, we’ll take a candid look at the harsh reality of the criminal justice process here in New York City and the potential flaws in some of the steps – flaws that can often lead to significantly different experiences for individuals who find themselves accused of a crime. What should the criminal j ..read more

On the face of it, the justice system should work equally for everyone in New York – but in reality, this isn’t always the case. Clearly, there are countless instances where the odds seem stacked against a defendant because of that person’s background or situation – but it’s easy to overlook high-profile clients when considering those demographics. There are many reasons a person’s case could become high-profile. In some cases, that individual may already have a high profile before the case. In other cases, the severity of the charged crime may be such that the case has attracted a lot of med ..read more