Criminal Defense

If you have been arrested and the police have gathered evidence against you, the fruit of the poisonous tree is a legal doctrine you will want to understand. There are some cases when it can be used as part of your defense. Specifically, this doctrine addresses the...

If you face a violent crime charge based on an accusation you say is false, you may feel that the case comes down to your word against the other person’s. A defense investigation could uncover facts that support your account of what happened. The accuser’s past may...

People who are in state custody often assume that they have the right to make a phone call. That presumption generally extends from how law enforcement authorities have long handled the right to access legal representation and depictions of the criminal justice system...

Eyewitness testimony has long been recognized as unreliable, but criminal prosecutions in New York and New Jersey increasingly rely on a different kind of evidence: the passive data your smartphone and wearable devices generate automatically. From fitness app logs to...

One of the most immediate concerns for many individuals who have recently been arrested is whether their mugshot will become public and appear online. The answer in New York and New Jersey is often more complicated than a simple “yes” or “no.” A mugshot is generally a...

You may assume that law enforcement officers are required to be completely truthful during an interrogation, but the rules governing police questioning are not always what people expect. Deception is a common interrogation tactic. In many circumstances, law...

You may think a heated exchange on your front porch stays between you and the other person. However, home surveillance systems like doorbell cameras often capture far more than you expect. In many situations, prosecutors may review footage from your device or a nearby...

The bail process allows individuals accused of criminal offenses to secure temporary release. A judge rules on their bail conditions, and the defendant can then return to their family and their career until their trial begins. Bail rules have historically left...

The criminal justice process in New York involves many distinct steps. The first time that a defendant appears in court after an arrest is typically for their arraignment. An arraignment is the hearing at which the state announces the charges the prosecutor intends to...

An arrest can feel confusing and stressful. In many cases, people react emotionally and make quick decisions that create bigger problems later. What you say or do during those first moments can affect your case, safety and even your future. Therefore, it is important...