Legal Information Center

We have previously covered the basics of the recently (2010) enacted set of crimes involving strangulation. As noted, Penal Law section 121.11 states that “A person is guilty of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation when, with intent to impede the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person, he or she:…

Departments stores like Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s are some of the most common places for petit larceny arrests to occur. Similar arrests are also commonplace in such retailers as Century 21 and Saks Fifth Avenue. Oftentimes a misunderstanding between a customer and overzealous security staff can lead to police involvement — even in cases where customers…

On March 8, criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor Matthew Galluzzo appeared on Fox 5 TV News (Good Day New York) as a legal expert on the prosecution and investigation of Anna Gristina, the so-called “Manhattan Madam” that was recently arrested for supposedly running a high-priced escort service for millionaires on the Upper East Side.

This evening, the New York Post is reporting that the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has indicted at least one person, Anna Gristina, for running an underage prostitution ring in Manhattan. Shockingly, this brothel on East 78th Street – which will implicate a long roster of wealthy and prominent johns – purportedly had police protection from…

Over the course of the last four days, the NYPD arrested 141 people in New York City as part of “Operation Take Back” . Basically, undercover officers approached people on the sidewalk and offered to sell them Apple products (iPhones and iPads) at deeply discounted prices. Those people that purchased the goods were then charged…

Criminal arrests are upsetting to everyone but can be particularly problematic for financial and securities professionals because of the possible employment and licensure consequences. Brokers, traders, bankers, financial advisors, and other financial professionals typically have to be licensed through FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Some of the most common licenses include Series 7 and…

Matthew Galluzzo, a former sex crimes prosecutor, was quoted as an expert in a Reuters article discussing the investigation of allegations of sex abuse by Bernie Fine, an assistant basketball coach at Syracuse University. The article is available online here.

ESPN.com is reporting that Syracuse police are re-opening an investigation into allegations that a Syracuse University assistant basketball coach molested two underage ballboys beginning in the 1970s. The story reports that the criminal statute of limitations – or the deadlines for bringing a criminal case against someone – is five years. That is only somewhat…

On November 17, thousands of protesters massed in or about the Wall Street area as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement. The NYPD was prepared and sent hundreds of officers to the area in anticipation of several scheduled protests. Many of the protesters were arrested and are currently being processed for various misdemeanors and…

There are three separate menacing statutes in New York, each specifying a different gravity of offense. Menacing is often paired with Stalking (Penal Law section 120.45) and Aggravated Harrassment (Penal Law section 240.30) charges, but can be charged as a standalone offense. The basic charge is Menacing in the third degree (Penal Law section 120.15)…