Legal Information Center

Although it has always been illegal in New York to intentionally cause physical injury to another person (see Assault, Chapter 120.00 of the Penal Law), a relatively new set of laws has increased the penalties for the strangulation of another person. New York Penal Law Section 121.11 (Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation) makes…

On June 30, the New York Times reported a shocking development in the prosecution of former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Apparently, investigators from the District Attorney’s Office have learned shocking new details about the complaining witness (a hotel maid from the Sofitel) that have caused the prosecutors to have serious doubts about her credibility. These…

Recently, many protesters in New York City have been arrested and given Desk Appearance Tickets charging them with a violation of Penal Law 195.05, also called Obstructing Governmental Administration. “Obstructing Governmental Administration,” (colloquially referred to as “O.G.A.”) is a very commonly charged crime in New York. While the penal law title is self-explanatory, the application…

The arrest of a friend or loved one often happens unexpectedly. The majority of New Yorkers do not have any experience with the criminal justice system and are often thrust into a position of having to deal with the possibility of bail being set. This post will explain a few factors that go into a…

Studies have shown that a surprising number of women that have been raped or sexually assaulted still choose not to report the attacks to the authorities. Assuredly, even fewer pursue civil actions against their assailants. Victims may be intimidated by the legal system and rightfully fear a loss of their privacy. But the attorneys at…

Now that the warm weather is here, most native New Yorkers and tourists can enjoy the sunny weather by going to any one of our gorgeous parks to take in all of the historic sights and sounds the city has to offer. Well, maybe not the sounds so much these days…You may have noticed green…

Matthew Galluzzo explains the next steps in the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case to French journalists (in French).

From The New York Times: NEWS ANALYSIS: Setback for Top Prosecutor as Another Big Test Looms The acquittal of two police officers was a blow to Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., the Manhattan prosecutor, at a time when he is taking on the high-profile case of Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Matthew Galluzzo offers some thoughts on the effect…

An interview by Matthew Galluzzo on defending sex crimes cases, which appeared on France 24 television. The links are available here: http://www.france24.com/en/20110525-strauss-kahn-private-detectives-build-defence-case-guidepost-justice-us-france-imf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4szTZTIh4Aw

Matthew Galluzzo was interviewed in French by the French online news publication SFR for this story about his time as a prosecutor in the Sex Crimes Unit of the Manhattan DA’s Office, and offered some thoughts on the prosecution of Dominique Strauss-Kahn.