An experienced New York state and federal criminal defense attorney explains the law in New York state as it relates to blackmail. Recently, late night talk show host David Letterman went to law enforcement authorities because he claimed that he was the victim of blackmail. Both state and federal law make it illegal to blackmail…
Continue reading ›New York City is home to a plethora of fantastic and popular nightclubs. LAVO, 1OAK, Webster Hall, Cielo, the Sullivan Room, subMercer, Pacha, RdV, Bossa Nova Civic Club, Tenjune, the Village Underground, Bembe, Club Macanudo, the Woods, bOb Bar, and the 40/40 Club are just a few of the clubs that New Yorkers and people…
Continue reading ›Many New Yorkers and others have been arrested and received what is known as a desk appearance ticket. An example of such a ticket is below. Desk appearance tickets may be issued in cases involving minor violation or misdemeanor matters, and are often given to people who are arrested for possessing small amounts of marijuana…
Continue reading ›Generally speaking, an offer of an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (“ACD”) to resolve criminal charges is usually an attractive plea bargain offer to a criminal defendant. After all, pursuant to New York CPL 160.50, individuals receiving ACD’s usually have their cases dismissed and sealed and deemed nullities after six months (or one year in…
Continue reading ›A recent article in CNN declared that 60% of the cigarettes sold in New York had been smuggled in from out of state so as to avoid the onerous New York state cigarette taxes. This is somewhat unsurprising, given that New York state imposes a $4.35 tax per pack, and New York City an additional…
Continue reading ›Today, a ferry traveling from New Jersey to Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan and carrying 326 passengers (as well as 5 crew members) crashed into the pier at a high rate of speed causing numerous injuries. As of the time of this post, two passengers were listed as being in critical condition. This particular boat,…
Continue reading ›Despite the improvements in drug-detecting technology and processes – as well as the steep criminal penalties for those caught importing drugs into the United States – the drug smuggling business still remains lucrative enough to cause many people to attempt to import drugs through commercial airline flights. When smugglers are caught, however, the cases can…
Continue reading ›A conviction for a New York state felony is very serious and can involve lengthy sentences of probation or even incarceration. However, what many people do not realize is that a felony conviction can also greatly increase the possible sentence a person can receive on a subsequent felony conviction, especially so when the prior conviction…
Continue reading ›The most serious crimes in New York state law are classified as Class A-I felonies; one of these Class A-I felonies is Murder in the First Degree, Penal Law Section 125.27. The majority of homicides in New York are prosecuted pursuant to Penal Law Section 125.25 (Murder in the Second Degree). However, especially violent and…
Continue reading ›First-time offenders arrested for shoplifting at large department stores in New York (such as Sak’s Fifth Avenue, Century 21, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, or Uniqlo) typically receive Desk Appearance Tickets, or DATS, from the police. (For more on shoplifting and petit larceny arrests, click here and here.). However, many shoplifting defendants also soon receive letters from lawyers…
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