Defendants have the legal right to declare their innocence when charged with a crime. However, they may choose one of the other plea options instead. Knowing the various types of pleas and how they impact the defendant's next step is necessary for each person to make...
I often get asked, what do I do if I’m charged with theft? What are the penalties for someone charged with theft or larceny? Because there are many different types of theft charges, the penalties can vary depending on your unique situation. Generally speaking in New...
New York takes drug possession very seriously. If the police arrest you with controlled substances on your person, you risk jail time even for possession in the seventh degree. According to New York law, a controlled substance is any substance listed as a Schedule I,...
You have worked hard for years to ensure your children have a better life. You raised them to be responsible and respect their elders. You made sure they always completed their homework and kept good grades. Your kids are on a path to college. Then one day, you...
When someone is arrested, they’re either transported to Court for the arraignment, or are issued a Desk Appearance Ticket or Summons and have to return to be arraigned on a later date. Either way, this can be a terrifying experience – not knowing if you’ll be allowed to go home afterwards, not knowing what to expect from your lawyer or the Court, and quite frankly simply not knowing what is going to happen at that arraignment. It also doesn’t help that once you’re standing in that courtroom, much of what you’re going to hear is the prosecutor and the defense attorney going back and forth citing sections of the criminal procedure law that simply sound like numbers. If you have a good attorney, he/she will explain everything to you beforehand, but what happens when your lawyer doesn’t explain what an arraignment is to you?
It is crucial for gun owners to fully understand the laws where they live. For example, gun owners in New York must know what constitutes an assault weapon. While these weapons are not banned according to state laws, they do require special attention from gun owners...
Several New York statutes focus on the protection of private property. If you face trespass charges, the prosecutor must prove that you not only entered the property of another individual but that you did it purposefully. However, if he cannot show intent, you might...
Committing a sex crime in New York may result in a court order to register as a sex offender. People who refuse to comply or neglect to update their registry information as required can face serious legal consequences. Over time, registrants may wish to modify their...
Sometimes, people commit insurance fraud without realizing it. Only when they face criminal charges may they learn they messed up somewhere. Realizing where they messed up may help keep the person out of hot legal water. The Insurance Information Institute explores...