Category Archives: Criminal Defense
We Must Do More to Implement Criminal Justice Reforms for Released Prisoners
While the passage of the First Step Act was an important step forward in terms of addressing past injustices associated with mandatory minimum sentencing—especially when it comes to drug crimes—there is still much left to be done when it comes to criminal justice reforms. Below, we discuss some of the noteworthy new reforms and… Read More »
One New Jersey Town Proposes To Criminalize Having A Barking Dog?
According to news reports, the issue of barking dogs may soon turn into a crime here in New Jersey. The ordinance—introduced in Saddle River—states that any dog that annoys neighbors or others by continuously barking for more than 20 minutes between 7am and 10pm or 15 minutes between 10pm and 7am could result in… Read More »
Database Of Federal Civil Rights Lawsuits Against NYPD Officers Released To The Public
On March 6, a new database referred to as “CAPstat” documenting all federal civil rights lawsuits that have been filed in the Eastern or Southern Districts of New York against the New York City police (NYPD) was released to the public, providing a much-needed new tool to citizens and their attorneys to gather the… Read More »
New York Has a Unique Opportunity to Enact Criminal Justice Reform
New York has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enact a number of criminal justice reforms during the month of March; reforms that include ending the unfair system of cash bail, mandating that those charged with most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies be released; and requiring prosecutors to share evidence with the defense early on in a… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Poised To Rule In Favor Of Criminal Defendants’ Sixth Amendment Rights
On February 26, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Haymond, which addresses our constitutional right to a jury trial under the Sixth Amendment. The case involves the ability for judges to imprison sex offenders without first providing them with the right to a jury trial; specifically, the case before… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Places Limits on Seizing Property Supposedly Used In the Commission of a Crime
On February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court made a landmark ruling limiting police powers to seize private property in the practice known as civil forfeiture. Civil forfeiture has historically been used by state law enforcement to seize any and all property—cash, cars, homes, etc.—that they deem could have been used in the commission of… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Expresses Interest in Addressing New Jersey Laws Criminalizing Certain Gun Activities
Last year, New Jersey took a number of measures to implement some of the nation’s strictest gun control laws, criminalizing a broad array of activities involving guns, such as making it illegal for residents to have a carry permit unless they first demonstrated a “justifiable need”; amongst other activities. Now, a number of gun… Read More »
As Religious Attacks Increase In New York, More and More Are Considered Hate Crimes
The act of a New York synagogue being vandalized on February 16 is officially being investigated by the NYPD Hate Crimes Division as a hate crime. According to Mayor Bill de Blasio, violence committed against Jewish groups is on the rise throughout the state, and there have been close to 50 of these crimes… Read More »
New Jersey Moves Closer To Decriminalizing Medically Assisted Suicide
In New Jersey, lawmakers are considering decriminalizing euthanasia for terminally ill patients. While similar legislation has previously been proposed and previously stalled in the Senate, in February, a Senate committee voted to approve this latest “medically assisted suicide bill” and many now expect it to pass in the full chamber. While a number of… Read More »
Would This New York Bill Make It A Crime Not To Vaccinate Your Children?
A new bill proposed by New York lawmakers would undo New Yorkers’ right to cite to non-medical exemptions from vaccination requirements for children– including an exemption due to religious beliefs–essentially making it a crime for children not to receive certain required vaccinations, even if their religion does not allow them to do so. The… Read More »
