Articles Posted in Civil Rights

MG recently settled the federal civil rights lawsuit of an individual wrongfully arrested in Brooklyn for allegedly possessing a weapon. His friend – with whom he was arrested – is currently facing charges of felony weapons possession and attempted murer, but we were able to demonstrate that our client had been wrongfully accused. The matter…

New York state assemblyman Edward Braunstein has proposed legislation to combat the growing problem of “revenge porn,” or the non-consensual disclosure of sexually explicit images. All too often, after a consensual sexual relationship ends, a bitter ex-husband or ex-boyfriend lashes out by posting sexually explicit images of his former lover on the internet. (Note: It…

The deadline for a victim of a rape or sexual assault in New York to bring a civil lawsuit for damages against his or her attacker depends principally on three factors: 1) what exactly the attacker did to the victim, 2) whether a criminal action was commenced as a result of the attack, and 3)…

There are many artists and musicians in New York City that support themselves by performing in the subway system. However, those artists run the risk of being arrested – oftentimes wrongfully – for violations of New York City Transit Rule of Conduct 1050.6. That statute makes it an infraction punishable by up to 10 days…

Today, a federal judge in Manhattan handed down an important ruling by declaring unconstitutional the NYPD’s “Trespass Affidavit Program” for private residential buildings in New York City. This program was also referred to by the Department as “Operation Clean Halls”. The judge declared that the program and the Department’s policy and lax training essentially caused…

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,…

Police officers are authorized to use lethal force under various life-threatening scenarios. But sometimes, they make mistakes and shoot the wrong person, or shoot someone under the wrong circumstances. Police officers that make these sorts of tragic mistakes can face a wide variety of criminal charges, the most serious of which are contained in Chapter…

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…

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…