Category Archives: Criminal Defense
June Marks Major Step For Marijuana Legalization In New York
This week (June 18th), New York took important steps towards legalizing marijuana: The state health commissioner first recommended legalizing the drug. Mayor de Blasio then announced that the city would start handing out tickets to people smoking marijuana instead of arresting them. While the recreational use of marijuana in New York is still technically… Read More »
New Jersey Governor Signs New Gun-Related Bans Into Law
On June 13th, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed new gun prohibitions into law; legislation that establishes background checks on private gun sales, bars armor-piercing bullets, and reduces magazine capacity. Below, we discuss these new provisions in detail, and why there could be law enforcement concerns associated with them. What They Do In sum,… Read More »
“The Case For Shutting Down New York City’s Rikers Island Jail”
We’ve discussed issues at New York’s Rikers Island facility before, documenting the significant number of violent incidents and violations of inmates’ constitutional rights at the facility, which investigators have documented and some legislators have cited as reasons to close the facility within the next 10 years. Now on a mission to reform New York’s… Read More »
New Jersey Legislation Permitting 218 Marijuana Dispensaries & Banning Child Marriage Moves
During the month of June, the New Jersey legislature moved forward on some key issues, including barring individuals under the age of 18 from getting married and opening the state to a number of legal marijuana dispensaries. Below, we discuss these changes in greater detail: New Jersey Steps Closer To Banning Child Marriages On… Read More »
New Jersey Supreme Court Bars Retroactive Application Of Megan’s Law Amendment
On May 30th, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that an amendment to Megan’s Law enhancing penalties for sex offenders who violate parole requirements was unenforceable and violated both state and federal constitutions. In doing so, the court vacated the convicts’ third-degree convictions for parole violations after four offenders had committed minor violations of… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Decides Police Officers Need Search Warrants To Inspect Vehicles In Driveways
On May 29th, the U.S. Supreme Court made an important decision that will impact thousands of potential criminal defendants each year in holding that privacy protections extend to vehicles that are parked in a driveway or carport. In other words, police need a search warrant before inspecting vehicles parked in front of your home… Read More »
Should Prisoners Have A Right To DNA Testing?
The story of Kevin Cooper—who is currently sitting on death row, and demanding DNA testing to prove his innocence—has captured news headlines of late, especially after Nicholas Kristof—a columnist for The New York Times—published an opinion column suggesting that Cooper was framed for the murder he stands convicted of. The case not only involves… Read More »
New York Man Accused Of Hate Crime For Rant On Train
One man’s alleged “rant” has led to a hate crime charges to be filed against him in New York in May, as well as one count of second-degree aggravated harassment. Cases like these are important to follow in order to understand where state law draws the line in terms of free speech and hate… Read More »
Recreational Marijuana And Sports Gambling Could Soon Become Legal In New York
On May 14th, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on sports gambling, opening up the possibility for states to pass laws allowing for the activity as they see fit. While New Jersey has already passed a law to allow for sports gambling, New York is also expected to in the next… Read More »
Breakdown Of Allegations Against New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman
Sexual assault and physical abuse allegations against New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman have been all over the news of late. As a result, Schneiderman ultimately decided to resign, noting that they would prevent his ability to continue to lead the New York office. Many remain shocked, particularly given that Schneiderman was a… Read More »