Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Understanding Probable Cause
After watching crime shows on tv, we’ve all seen court cases that mention probable cause at some point. Probable cause gets talked about by law enforcement and attorneys alike, but what does it mean in the real world? In fact, probable cause is a legal standard. It indicates more than a reasonable suspicion of… Read More »
What You Need to Know About the Alien Enemies Act
Newark, New Jersey was the site of one of the first workplace raids of the new administration. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained multiple individuals—apparently both undocumented individuals and U.S. citizens—even though they did not have a warrant to enter the workplace or make arrests. The Newark mayor claimed the event was an obvious… Read More »
Reasonable Doubt in a Criminal Case
If you are headed for a criminal trial, you probably already know that you must be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury. What does that mean, and how can your attorney try to avoid that end? Reasonable Doubt Explained In a criminal court the prosecution has the burden… Read More »
Deceit in American Policing
Richard Leo, renowned expert on interrogation techniques, calls deception the most defining and salient feature of interrogations in this country. Many people may not realize it, but law enforcement regularly interrogate suspects and lie about the potential leniency that could be traded for cooperation. In some cases they even about the evidence they have…. Read More »
Can 911 Call Analysis be Trusted?
Let’s say you’re out and about when the unthinkable happens—you discover someone who appears to be dead. It might be someone you know, or a total stranger. You automatically pick up the phone and dial 911 to report it, which is the sensible and responsible thing to do, right? But before you know it,… Read More »
Undocumented Migrants—and Those Who Harbor Them—Face Legal Jeopardy
Widely publicized reports of deportation raids on undocumented migrants indicate that the current administration has hit the ground running on this issue, and they are pushing forward without looking back. What does it mean for the migrants themselves and for the individuals and/or families who share connections with these migrants and who are inclined… Read More »
When You’re Pulled Over for a DUI
You get a lump in your throat when you see those flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror. You are praying that someone else is being pursued, but your stomach lurches when you realize that it’s you that the officer is interested in. It’s bad enough to be pulled over—the panic really… Read More »
Criminal Charges of Elder Abuse
You may think you’ve seen it all as an employee in a nursing home– patients with all manner of problems come in, and an exhausted staff relies on meager resources because those are the expectations and realities when it comes to the needs of multiple elderly residents. There’s no question that things could be… Read More »
Could My Charges be Dropped?
Have you been charged with a crime? You may be hoping that the charges you’re facing will be dropped or dismissed, eliminating all of the stress and expenditures of a trial under certain circumstances. Dropped and Dismissed Charges are Not the Same Thing There’s a small but distinct difference between having your charges dropped… Read More »
Voter Intimidation is Illegal
Although you thought you were acting patriotically when you chatted up fellow voters, you’ve been arrested and charged with voter intimidation. What constitutes voter intimidation, and what should you do about these charges? Defining Voter Intimidation Voter intimidation is a federal crime, and is spelled out in U.S. code as intimidation, threats, or coercion… Read More »