Articles Posted in Understanding New York Criminal Law

Sadly, many individuals living in New York City develop sexual compulsions that cause them to rub or grind strangers on the subway system. These frotteurs can be high-functioning professionals that simply need therapy. Just as sadly, though, some individuals are wrongly accused by NYC police officers of serious sexual offenses despite having done nothing more…

“Defamation” is a word loosely used by people when they feel that another person has said something insulting and/or false about them. However, the word has a much more specific definition in the law, as it is defined as any intentional false communication, either written or spoken, that harms a person’s reputation; decreases the respect,…

During the frenzied pre-Christmas shopping period, hundreds of alleged New York shoplifters will inevitably be stopped and arrested by over-aggressive store security guards in the giant retail stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, J&R, Century 21, Barney’s, and Sak’s Fifth Avenue. Typically, those people will be taken into store security rooms and interrogated by security guards. In…

New York Assmeblyman Edward Braunstein, who has previously proposed legislation to combat and criminalize the growing phenomenon of revenge porn, has proposed a new bill relating to the investigation and prosecution of sex crimes. Specifically, he has proposed legislation requiring universities to report rape allegations to local law enforcement. Although this proposal has some appeal,…

In New York, a person arrested for possessing or distributing child pornography can be prosecuted by either the state or federal authorities. As a matter of practice, the accused is most likely to be prosecuted in state court if he is arrested by state police, and in federal court if arrested by federal agents, but…

Search Warrants In New York, a valid search warrant signed by a judge can give law enforcement officers the right to search your home or place of business (among other places) for evidence of criminal conduct. Sometimes search warrants are obtained after long criminal investigations, and sometimes they are applied for quickly in emergency cases…

One of the most common criminal charges in the federal system is a violation of 18 USC 922(g). This chapter makes it illegal for certain persons to possess firearms. Notably, this charge in this subsection does not depend upon the type of firearm possessed, though that factor can affect the potential penalties for the offender.…

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…

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…

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…