Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Will New York Could Soon Decriminalize Sex Work?
Lawmakers in New York recently proposed legislation that would not only decriminalize prostitution, but also allow for criminal records related to a number of sex crimes to be expunged. Specifically, the proposed legislation– titled the “Stop Violence in the Sex Trades Act—would remove criminal penalties for these workers with the hope of increasing workplace… Read More »
As Facial Recognition Software Becomes a Routine Policing Tool In New York & U.S., Civil Rights Concerns Grow
Facial recognition software programs are becoming a routine policing tool in the United States. In fact, the market is expected to reach $375 million by 2025. In a nutshell, the software allows police officers to input images of people’s faces–usually taken in the field or from surveillance–and then compare them to photos that already… Read More »
Federal Government Pressed On Legal Status of Marijuana & Related Products
In late May, a Federal appeals court reinstated the case brought against the federal government concerning the Schedule I status of marijuana. Plaintiffs argue that marijuana continuing to be regulated as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act risks their health and perpetuates economic inequities. Meanwhile, in response to the New York… Read More »
Will New York Make It Illegal to Walk & Use Cell Phone at The Same Time?
New York state lawmakers are considering passing legislation that would make it a crime to text and walk at the same time in New York. Specifically, the bill would make it illegal for people to cross the street while looking at (“viewing”) their “portable electronic devices”; even though there is no real evidence indicating… Read More »
New Jersey Finalizes New Criminal Penalties for A Number of Crimes Committed Against Animals
In mid-May, new jersey governor Phil Murphy signed several bills into law that impose new and additional criminal penalties for crimes committed against animals in New Jersey. These laws involve a number of issues, ranging from outdoor shelter, tethering restrictions, animal seized from dogfighting activities, and the ability for law-enforcement to intervene in order… Read More »
U.S. Defense Department Announces That It Will Make Sexual Harassment a Crime
On May 2, the Defense Department announced that it will now make sexual harassment a criminal offense in an effort to stop the scourge of sexual assault and abuse that has been reported within the department. Department of Defense Definitions In the military,sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual approaches directed towards a coworker… Read More »
New Study Indicates That New York Is A Hotbed for Illegal Gambling & Arrests
According to a new study, New Yorkers make more illegal bets than individuals in any other state, making New York number one for illegal gambling operations. New York was also ranked 12th for people arrested over illegal gambling operations. The Law in New York New York law declares gambling to occur when someone engages… Read More »
“Blame My Brain”: Criminal Defendant’s Trial Involving Genetic Mutation to Explain Crime Could Set Groundbreaking Precedent
A criminal case currently in front of the New Mexico Supreme Court could accelerate an important trend in the criminal justice system of using behavioral genetics and other neuroscience to try to explain why people break the law and raise questions as to the severity of their punishment. The defendant– Anthony Blas Yepez—is on… Read More »
New York Judge Closes Weinstein Hearing to Media & Public, Citing Concerns Over Defendant’s Right to a Fair Trial
In late April, New York State Supreme Court Justice James Burke made an important decision concerning allowing highly inflammatory evidence into Harvey Weinstein‘s criminal trial. Specifically, Judge Burke found that allowing in the evidence that prosecutors wanted in the form of a trial open to the public and media would place Weinstein’s Sixth Amendment… Read More »
New York Blocks Ability for Federal Officials to Arrest Immigrants in State Courthouses Without Warrants
In a huge win for immigrants and their families, on April 17, the New York State Office of Court Administration issued new rules which block the ability of federal immigration officials (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or “ICE”) to arrest immigrants in New York state courthouses without federal judicial warrants. The rules have a… Read More »