Earlier this month, a state appellate court issued an opinion in a New York DWI case involving the question of whether the arresting officer had the legal authority to approach the defendant’s parked car and knock on the window. Ultimately, the court concluded that the officer possessed the authority to…
New York Criminal Attorney Blog
The Importance of Preserving Errors for Appeal in New York Criminal Trials
In a New York criminal jury trial, the judge has several critical roles. In general terms, the judge determines the “rules” by which the trial will be conducted. For example, the judge will resolve all pretrial motions, manages the jury selection process, rules on objections during the trial, and instructs…
How New York Courts Apply the State’s Self-Defense Doctrine
When the government brings criminal charges against a defendant, that person may have one or more defenses against the crimes charged. In the case of a New York assault crime or assault related charges, one of the most common defenses is self-defense which in New York is the defense of…
Defendant’s Conviction for Possession of Counterfeit Money Upheld by New York Appellate Court
Recently, a state appellate court issued a written opinion in a New York forged instrument case involving the possession of what turned out to be counterfeit money. The case provided the court with the opportunity to discuss the elements that must be established to convict a defendant for possession of…
Supreme Court Hears Case that May Affect People with Several New York Convictions
Under the Armed Career Criminals Act (ACCA), federal law provides for enhanced penalties for people convicted of a crime involving a firearm if they have previously been convicted of several “violent felonies.” New York has similar laws that enhance penalties for persistent violent felony offenders and discretionary persistent felony offenders. …
The Constitutional Right to a Jury Trial in New York Criminal Cases
The United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights provide many invaluable rights to citizens. Among the most important rights included in these documents is the right to a jury trial. The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that defendants are entitled to “a speedy and public trial,…
Are New York Police Officers Permitted to Assume That a Driver Is the Vehicle’s Registered Owner?
Police officers must have a justifiable reason when they decide to pull over a motorist and initiate a traffic stop. Typically, an officer must have either probable cause or a reasonable suspicion, depending on the surrounding circumstances. When the police pull over a driver without a sufficient reason, anything that…
New York Court Affirms Doctor’s Manslaughter Conviction after Patient’s Overdose
Earlier this month, a state appellate court issued a written opinion in a New York manslaughter case discussing whether the evidence presented by the prosecution was legally sufficient to sustain the defendant’s conviction for manslaughter. Ultimately, the court concluded that the jury’s decision to convict the defendant, given the evidence,…
Can You Bring Your Lawfully Possessed Pistol on Vacation to Puerto Rico – Apparently Not Yet But Hopefully Soon
As a New York Second Amendment lawyer I get asked all kinds of questions everyday about where and when people Click the image to follow a Reddit thread which may have periodic updates may carry their lawfully possessed firearm. Most of these questions pertain to New York and Federal Law. …
New York Court Reverses Robbery Conviction Based on Illegal Arrest and Tainted Identification
Earlier this month, a state appellate court issued a written opinion in a New York robbery case involving the defendant’s motion to suppress an identification made by the complaining witness, as well as statements made by the defendant after his arrest. Ultimately, the court held that because the prosecution failed…