Blog - Portale Randazzo

Strengthening Defamation Claims: What This Historic Lawsuit Might Mean for Accused Individuals

In a landmark legal battle, a lawsuit against Yale University has brought fresh attention to the complexities surrounding defamation claims against false accusers. The case sheds light on the devastating impact that false allegations can have on an individual’s reputation, livelihood, and future. This historic lawsuit will undoubtedly mark a turning point in how courts handle defamation claims for those who have been falsely accused. As more light is shed on the legal rights of

Historic Lawsuit Against Yale University May Strengthen Defamation Claims Against False Accusers

False allegations have become a significant issue in the United States, with a recent national survey revealing that 10% of Americans report being falsely accused of abuse. The survey found that 13% of males and 8% of females had been targeted by false allegations of domestic abuse during their lifetimes. In 2015, Yale University student Saifullah Khan was accused of rape by Jane Doe. The accusation quickly became public, sparking widespread calls for Khan’s immediate

Yonkers seeks fines against hotel for housing asylum seekers longer than a month

Richard Portale, a White Plains attorney representing the hotel owner, said Wednesday that he hopes to reach an amicable resolution to the dispute, one that balances the needs of both the migrant families and Yonkers. “A Yonkers hotel that has housed migrant families since May is being sued by city officials for more than $200,000 in fines for operating what they describe as an unapproved boarding house. Yonkers brought the case against the former Ramada

Portale Randazzo Invites You to Meet Judge Jeanine Pirro

Thursday 2017, the sixth of December at Five o’Clock Portale Randazzo, LLP are honored to host Emmy Award Winning TV personality and New York Times bestselling author Judge Jeanine Pirro for a special gathering and book signing. Please join us for appetizers, wine and holiday cheer as Ms. Pirro signs her new book, Liars, Leakers, and Liberals. Portale Randazzo 245 Main St Suite 340 White Plains, NY *Please call 914-359-2400 for more information. **Parking is in the main/Hamilton lot off of

The Great American Privacy Scandal

As posted by my NACDL colleague and brother, Roger Nell Are we ready for the massive breach of privacy? Are we prepared for the truly unprecedented (since the media loves that word of late) intrusion of government into our living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms? It’s happening. Right now. Every State, every community. And it’s all voluntary!! We’ve invited them into our homes. It’s called online, virtual school. Kids across the country are heading back to

Richard Portale Featured in Netflix Documentary ‘The Confession Tapes’

On June 21, 2019, Netflix released the second season of their true crime series entitled, “The Confession Tapes,” which covers coerced or false confessions. Episode 3: “Deep Down” features the case of Angelika Graswald, who was successfully defended by Portale Randazzo attorney Richard Portale for allegedly murdering her husband in 2015 in a kayak in the Hudson River. Shortly after the incident, while still reeling from the overwhelming grief of having watched her fiancé sink into the Hudson river,

New York State Recently Modified its Bail and Discovery Reform Laws and is Beginning to Expand the Types of Matters Being Heard in the Courts While Governor Cuomo’s New York State on PAUSE Executive Order is in Effect: How These Changes Impact Your Case

We previously posted how criminal and civil cases in New York State are being impacted by Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York State on PAUSE Executive Order. The Order mandated that only emergency petitions and new arraignments were to be heard in the New York State Courts. Recently, the courts have begun to expand the types of matters that are being heard in criminal, civil and family court cases. Additionally, the New York State Budget was recently

COVID-19 Outbreak is Affecting At-Risk Incarcerated Individuals: How Portale Randazzo LLP’s Proven Record of Success Can Help You and Your Loved Ones

PORTALE RANDAZZO’s attorneys are working to serve the community by helping those currently incarcerated in New York. We are ready to help by providing legal services in the form of emergency sentence reduction hearings, habeas corpus motions, orders to show cause, and bail reduction applications for all of those at risk from COVID-19, whether due to their age and/or health conditions. The COVID-19 outbreak is an unprecedented crisis and is spreading throughout the jails and prisons in

How Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order Affects Your Case

Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order on March 20, 2020 suspending New York State laws that are in place to protect your constitutional rights, including speedy trial, grand jury presentations, and statute of limitations – how does this affect your case? On March 20, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.8, which suspends filing periods, statutory time requirements, service of any lawsuit, motion, or “other process or proceeding” until April 19, 2020 due to

Chief Judge Janet DiFiore has issued a stay on all pending criminal cases in New York during the Coronavirus outbreak – What does this mean for you?

Judge DiFiore’s Order adjourning all pending court appearances for at least forty-five days due to the Coronavirus pandemic. In Westchester County, two duty court parts have been set up to handle all the criminal matters in Westchester County during this period. One of these parts will hear all the pending County Court matters, while the other part will hear all local court matters including all new arraignments on felonies and misdemeanors. Courtrooms are located on

Attorney Richard A. Portale Receives 2018 Super Lawyers® Award

Our firm is proud to announce that Attorney Richard A. Portale has received the 2018 Super Lawyers® award. This prestigious title is granted to those who display exceptional legal achievements and a commitment to client satisfaction. In fact, only 5% of all attorneys in each state are included in the Super Lawyers® list. We are honored to work alongside such a respected and successful attorney. About the Patented Super Lawyers® Selection Process The Super Lawyers® organization provides

Drug Lord “El Chapo” Extradited to U.S.

Joaquin Guzmán, better known by his alias, “El Chapo,” arrived in New York recently after being extradited to the U.S. following his drug-related crimes as head of the Sinaloa cartel. The extradition comes after Guzmán’s daring escape from a Mexican maximum security prison in 2015. According to reports, Guzmán escaped through an opening in his shower that was discovered to lead to a mile-long tunnel. The breakout marks the second time Guzmán has escaped from

DWI charges against Canandaigua council member

At around 7:00 p.m., Karen White, a 64-year-old council member for Canandaigua was parked on South Main Street when an officer approached her and conducted a DWI investigation. The officer found an open wine bottle located on the floor of the car. Her blood alcohol content was 0.8 percent. She was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and possession of an open alcohol container in the car. White is a seven-year council

New York man found guilty for domestic violence

A 27-year-old Buffalo man was sentenced Tuesday, December 20, for his involvement in a domestic violence case that began in 2014 in Buffalo, New York. The man was identified as Brandon Medley; he was found guilty of violating an order of protection against a woman, as well as burglary, first-degree criminal contempt, and second-degree criminal contempt. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. July 2014, Medley reportedly forced his way into a woman’s home and choked

New York Man Charged With Mail Fraud for Alleged Vermin Scam

Earlier this fall, David Han of Queens was charged with one count of mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud for his elaborate “Vermin Control” scam. Han and his co-conspirators were found mailing violation notices to New York residents which instructed them to pay a $120 fine for unnamed violations. The notice was allegedly sent from the Vermin Control section of the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Shortly after the

Man Charged with DWI

Joseph Sharpe II is facing DWI charges after his vehicle struck a pole early Sunday morning on Country Club Road. At approximately 1:00 in the morning, Sharpe was driving his 2011 Toyota Tacoma on the northbound lane of Country Club Road, when he suddenly lost control of his car for unknown reasons. The Toyota then left the roadway and crashed into a nearby utility pole. Investigators were called onto the scene after receiving a report

Registered Sex Offender Arrested for Sex Crimes Twice in Four Weeks

Queens resident Rodney Pierre was recently arrested for grinding against a woman at a subway station just two weeks after a similar incident. The most recent December incident took place at an East Harlem subway station where officers spotted him making sexual advances on a woman; he was later found on the subway rubbing against her body. Just two weeks prior, Pierre was arrested for masturbating on a woman’s leg which, not coincidentally, also took

Richard Portale named a Global Who’s Who Top Lawyer

The Global Who’s Who has honored Richard A. Portale of Portale Randazzo LLP, by recognizing him as a Top Lawyer. The organization recognizes successful individuals in various fields such as medicine, law, engineering, business, and government. It accounts for their lifetime accomplishments and only those who have been leaders in their fields and have great achievements are included. All of us at Portale Randazzo LLP are proud that Richard A. Portale has been included in the Global Who’s Who

One Yonkers man stabbed, sent to hospital

A man in Yonkers was stabbed Wednesday, October 12, and brought to the hospital after receiving emergency treatment from EMT workers. According to the police, the stabbing took place following some sort of altercation around 6:30 p.m. The man, who is expected to survive the incident, was initially treated by police and EMTs while still laying on the doorstep of a local residence. He was taken to a medical center in the Bronx. The investigation is ongoing

Fraud suit underway against White Plains Esplanade

A family of a former Esplanade senior resident has filed suit against the owner for fraud and breach of contract. Marc Sherman, attorney, and son of 85-year-old Rachel Sherman filed the suit with New York’s Supreme Court when they received notice in October 2015 about the need move out. According to Esplanade, Hearthstone Alzheimer Care, the contractor for residents with memory issues, was not legally able to practice in New York and so those patients would

Fourteen Arrested in East End Drug Ring Takedown

Fourteen people have been arrested, but police are expecting 40 additional arrests in this takedown of a Bloods gang-affiliated drug ring, run out of the East End of New York. The ring reportedly expanded across New York and distributed in East Hampton, Riverhead, Southampton, and Southold. So far, New York police have seized several kilograms of cocaine, heroin, cars, firearms, and over $150,000 in cash associated with the drug ring. The investigation had been going

Westchester man charged with assault over bike rage

A teenager was assaulted on Saturday, September 24 by a Yorktown man due to a bike-accident-related rage in Mount Pleasant. The incident happened along North County Trailway where, according to police authorities, Gregory Avon, 59, collided with a 14-year-old boy while both were riding bikes. Immediately following the accident, the man attacked the boy, punching him in the face and injuring his jaw and mouth severely. The young victim had to go into surgery because

NYC Corrections Officers have 25 claims of sexual assault against them

According to I-Team reports, the number of sexual abuse claims against New York City has surged over 25 as women reported abuse at the hands of correction officers during jail visitation. Places facing allegation included the Detention Centers in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as well as a visitor’s center on Rikers Island, where Lyshineek Morales was subjected to the illegal body cavity searches in late August. She was ordered to remove her undergarments and perform a squat and

Tape Convicts NYPD Cop of Molestation

33-year-old NYPD cop Jacob Sabbagh will receive his sentence in September for molesting a child from 2005 to 2008. In December, a 21-year-old woman reported Sabbagh for inappropriately touching her many times when she was just 10 years old. Sabbagh’s conviction came after he admitted to molesting her on tape in court recently. His sentencing is set for September 7, and he could receive up to seven years in prison for the crime. Justice Alan

Eddie Antar of ‘Crazy Eddie’ Chain, Dies at 68

Eddie Antar, the founder of the “Crazy Eddie” electronics chain died Saturday, September 10. Antar was 68. The cause of his death was undisclosed. The “Crazy Eddie” chain of stores was famous for its ads featuring a manic salesman boasting that “Our prices are insane!” The chain sprouted from a single store in Brooklyn, growing into 43 stores spanning four states. However, Antar ran into trouble with the law during his career. He was indicted

Police Make Arrests in Heroin-Related Deaths

On June 27, Harrison Police concluded an investigation into two separate deaths. The authorities ruled that both deaths were the result of snorting or injecting tainted heroin from the same supplier. Police came to this conclusion after arresting three heroin dealers associated with the supplier. Rachael Brissett, only 17, was charged with sale of a controlled substance and for providing one of the victims with the heroin that killed him. Police are holding Brissett at

Drunk hit-and-run results in DWI charges

On Tuesday, July 5th ,a 29-year-old man drove drunk into a Brewster police car and tried to flee. After they chased the suspect, Edy Perez of Wingdale, down Main Street, state police said there was a “brief struggle,” and Perez was arrested. At the time of the accident, Perez had a blood-alcohol level of 0.20 percent, which is well over the legal limit. He was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, and resisting arrest. He was convicted

Suspect who attacked Parks Department employee released without bail

Cops say that 6-foot-2 Williams Battle attacked 4-foot-11 city worker Rashea Glenn at the Van Dyke Houses in Brownsville on June 7, giving her a black eye and a brain bleed that kept her in intensive care for three days. Prosecutor Peter Hertzog argued to Judge Lorna McAllister that Battle should be held on $3,500 bail for his crime because he is deemed a high flight risk, had probation revoked previously and has a history

New York Cop’s Boyfriend Caught in Sting

27-year-old police officer Julia Goldman was stripped of her badge after her fellow cops realized she was dating 29-year-old Richard Barters. Barters was arrested in Midtown for fraud after detectives performed a sting, only to find Officer Goldman standing at his side. Barters had allegedly promised a Maserati to a man but never delivered the car after taking a payment of $10,000. To catch the criminal in the act, detectives had Hooman Mozaffari call Barters and discuss

Suspected drunk NYPD cop facing charges for hitting 2 pedestrians

A New York Police Department officer is currently facing charges in Manhattan after striking two individuals in an apparent drunk driving accident, an article of Daily News reported on May 8. On May 7, 32-year-old officer Jean Verdesoto rolled his vehicle into a crosswalk at W. 206th St. and Tenth Avenue in Inwood. Police stated two pedestrians, only identified as a 28-year-old man and a 26-year-old man, were transported to a hospital after being struck by

Pawn Star member Chumlee arrested

33-year-old Austin Russell, better known as Chumlee on the History Channel show Pawn Stars, has been arrested and charged with twenty felonies. A search of his home was conducted after an employee of Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, the setting of the popular show, accused him of sexual assault. When police searched Russell’s home for evidence, they found drugs, drug paraphernalia, and weaponry. Authorities believe he may have been distributing the pills and marijuana found in his

Branden Dawson arrested on domestic violence charges

23-year-old Branden Dawson, an NBA rookie and a player for the Los Angeles Clippers, was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department in the morning of March 13 after being charged with felony spousal abuse. According to a news report by theLos Angeles Times and the Daily Mail, Dawson was allegedly involved in an argument with two women, one of which was his live-in girlfriend, at his house in Playa Vista. The confrontation apparently led to violence, and one

Is it possible to remove a conviction from my criminal record?

Though it is not possible to expunge a criminal conviction in the state of New York, it may be possible to seal your record. By sealing your record, you will be able to legally conceal your conviction from anyone that runs a background check on you—for instance, employers, lenders, and landlords all routinely run background checks on applicants. While the legal process can be somewhat overwhelming to work through on your own, you will be

Don McLean pleads not guilty to domestic violence charges

On February 8, NBC News reported that singer and songwriter Don McLean has pleaded not guilty to a domestic violence charge in connection with his arrest back in January. He was taken into custody by authorities from the Camden Police Department after a 911 call was placed from his house in Camden, Maine. His wife, Patrisha McLean, apparently filed a handwritten request for protection after the “American Pie” singer’s arrest. According to the 70-year-old artist’s lawyer, Walter

Steely Dan lead singer faces domestic violence charges

A report by CNN confirmed that Donald Fagen, the lead singer and co-founder of the famous rock band Steely Dan, was arrested on January 4 due to charges of misdemeanor assault and harassment. The incident happened in his New York City house. The address and age of the complainant matched that of his wife, Libby Titus, but the police incident report did not confirm whether or not she was the victim. The incident report stated that the 68-year-old musician

How can an attorney help if I think I should plead guilty?

Even if you think you should cooperate with the prosecution and plead guilty for the offense you have been charged with, whatever your reasons may be, you will still need an attorney by your side to help you defend your rights and mitigate the penalties handed down against you. That being said, you should speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney about the particulars of your case before you do anything, especially something you may

Richard A. Portale named top ten in client satisfaction by AIOCLA

Based on his superior services geared towards created an optimal client experience, New York Criminal Law Attorney Richard A. Portale has been named to the list of the 10 Best Criminal Law Attorneys for Client Satisfaction in 2015 by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys. This honor is bestowed in recognition of Mr. Portale’s superior service to and reputation among his clients. Each year, the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, a third-party attorney review organization,

NFL investigates Daniel Adongo’s alleged domestic abuse

The National Football League’s Indianapolis Colts announced on December 17 that the team waived outside linebacker Daniel Adongo following a new report of alleged domestic violence. According to Sports Illustrated, the new incident report was the second accusation of domestic violence against the 26-year-old athlete. There have been no charges filed yet for either case. The first report came on October 24 when a woman who shares Adongo’s home in Fishers told the police that she

Cincinnati Reds’ closer accused of domestic abuse

Aroldis Chapman, the 27-year-old All-Star pitcher for Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds, was accused of domestic violence on October 30 following an argument with his girlfriend. Based on police reports, Chapman allegedly choked and pushed his girlfriend against the wall and then fired eight rounds from a handgun while she was hiding outside his Miami home. Chapman admitted to firing the shots, but no arrests were made due to conflicting stories and a lack of cooperation by

LA Kings prospect facing assault charges

ESPN reported on November 19 that the National Hockey League’s Los Angeles Kings goaltender prospect, 22-year-old Patrik Bartosak, was arrested on November 16 in Manchester, New Hampshire on misdemeanor domestic violence-related charges and a felony assault charge when he allegedly tried to strangle his girlfriend inside an apartment. Bartosak waived arraignment the next day and is scheduled to attend a hearing on December 16 regarding his 11 misdemeanor charges that include stalking, criminal threatening, and simple assault.

Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes charged with domestic abuse

Maui County Police arrested Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes after he allegedly assaulted his wife on Oct. 31. Reports state that hotel security at the Four Seasons Resort in Maui called the authorities after Reyes grabbed his wife by the throat and pushed her into the sliding glass door of their hotel unit. His wife, Katherine, was rushed to the emergency room after sustaining injuries on her wrist, neck, and thigh. Reyes was released on

On August 25, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito stated her intent to introduce a bill that would ban the sale of the drug.

The synthetic marijuana substitute known as K2 is currently a legal substance in New York City, but it might not be for much longer. On August 25, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito stated her intent to introduce a bill that would ban the sale of the drug. This prospective bill is spurred on by the increasing media coverage of violence and medical emergencies associated with the synthetic drug. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Westchester DA voices concern over heroin use

In an Op-ed for the White Plains Daily Voice, Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore expressed her concern about the perceived impact that heroin has on the lives of Westchester citizens. After stating that heroin use is on the rise all around the country—a claim she supports with data from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the National Institute in Drug Abuse—Difiore points to the “911 Good Samaritan” law in New York that allows

Should I accept a plea bargain if I am offered one?

Before you speak to anyone associated with law enforcement after criminal charges have been issued against you, you should secure legal representation to help you consider all your legal options. Bearing all of that in mind, there is no reason you should accept the terms of a plea bargain without taking some time to understand everything that is at stake for you in the case. So, while it may turn out that it will be in your

Peekskill man arrested over sale and possession of heroin

A three-month investigation by the police departments in Putnam and Westchester counties led to the arrest of a Peekskill man over charges of felony drug sales, the Peekskill-Cortlandt Patch reported on July 16. The 41-year-old man of Hudson Avenue was accused of selling heroin three times to an undercover officer from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, twice in Peekskill and once in Cortlandt. The man was charged with three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled

Graswald Defense Awaits Evidence, Autopsy Report

Angelika Graswald, the Poughkeepsie woman who has been charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection to the death of her fiancé in a kayaking accident, attended a pretrial conference in Orange County Court this past week. However, it is likely the last time she will appear in court for several months, as both the prosecution and her defense are going through the process of discovery, where both sides are collecting and exchanging evidence and witness testimony that will

White Plains man accused of possessing illegal substances

A 45-year-old Grand Street, White Plains man is facing felony charges after authorities allegedly found heroin inside his car, The Journal News reported on June 30. At around 7:30 p.m., police tried to pull over Anthony Roper’s car for cutting in and out of the wrong lane. When the car stopped at Ferris Avenue, Roper and his female passenger tried to flee, but the officers were able to hold them. Inside the vehicle, authorities allegedly

Connecticut man charged with stealing vehicle in Mamaroneck

According to the Armonk Daily Voice, Connecticut State Police are reporting that a man from Hartford is now facing a number of serious criminal charges after allegedly stealing a vehicle in Mamaroneck on the 23rd of June before leading police on a pursuit across multiple highways. While he was apprehended by the Trumbull Police Department in Connecticut, Rafael Vasquez is alleged to have stolen the Honda Civic used during the pursuit in the state of New

When should I contact an attorney?

You should retain the services of a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after you are contacted by police about any alleged criminal activity. Even if you believe that you are under investigation by police, you should strongly consider retaining legal representation right away. In any case, you should never speak to the police or investigators if your attorney is not also present; your attorney will know how to help you protect your rights throughout every

Heroin dealers could be charged with homicide if a user dies

The New York Senate passed a legislative package that aims to charge dealers of heroin and other opioids with homicide if a victim dies from an accidental overdose, The Yorktown Daily Voice reported on June 11. The new set of bills, which is being promoted by the State Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, hopes to curb addiction to heroin and other opiate controlled substances in different communities in New York. State Senator Terrence

Couple indicted for selling oxycodone prescriptions

A couple was indicted over accusations of selling thousands of oxycodone prescriptions in exchange for money, The Journal News reported on June 20. 77-year-old physician Rogelio Lucas and his 79-year-old wife and office manager Lydia Lucas were each charged with 37 counts of criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance and one count fourth-degree conspiracy over allegations that they sold more than 23,600 oxycodone prescriptions, or 3.1 million oxycodone pills, over a span of more

Prosecutors’ case based mostly on Graswald’s statements

According to a recent article in the New York Times, the prosecutors handling the case against Angelika Graswald are suffering from a lack of physical evidence that implicates the defendant. Graswald was charged with second degree murder by the Orange County district attorney’s office, who claims that she caused the death of her fiancé, Vincent Viafore, while the two were kayaking. So far, however, it seems that the strongest evidence against Ms. Graswald are the written and oral

Body of missing kayaker identified

According to a recent article on nbcnewyork.com this weekend, the body of missing kayaker Vincent Viafore was recovered from the Hudson and was positively identified by medical examiners. Viafore’s fiancee, Angelika Graswald, has been charged with his murder. According to Assistant District Attorney Julie Mohl, Graswald allegedly tampered with her fiancee’s kayak and made incriminating comments to authorities. Graswald’s defense attorney, Richard Portale, importantly highlighted the fact that she is a Latvian expatriate and that

Richard Portale accuses district attorney of “intentionally withholding” arraignment filing in Graswald case

In a recent article on people.com, Richard Portale accused the Orange County District Attorney of “intentionally withholding” the filing of the arraignment in the case of his client, Angelika Graswald, thus preventing Graswald from having the chance to examine the prosecution’s evidence against her. Graswald was recently charged with second-degree murder for killing her fiancé, whose body is still missing. Portale also commented that it is very difficult for Graswald to have to stay in jail

Portale defends accidental nature of kayak accident in Graswald murder case

A recent article published in the New York Times reported on a number of different kayaking mistakes that Angelika Graswald and her missing fiancé, Vincent Viafore, made the day that Viafore disappeared while the two were kayaking on the Hudson River. The list of mistakes includes the fact that neither were wearing wet or dry suits to help protect them against cold water temperatures, that Mr. Viafore was not wearing a life jacket, and that the kayaks

Richard Portale Representing Angelika Graswald in Murder Case

On May 13th, Angelika Graswald was charged with the second-degree murder of her fiancé, Vincent Viafore. Graswald’s bail was set at $3 million cash or $9 million bond. The incident spurring her arrest occurred on April 19th when Graswald and Viafore were kayaking on the Hudson near Bannerman Island, the site of Bannerman Castle 50 miles north of New York City. After Viafore’s kayak capsized in rough water close to the island, Graswald attempted to help Viafore

Portale accuses police of rushing to judgment in Angelika Graswald case

In an article published on abcnews.go.com, attorney Richard Portale accused police of “rushing to judgment” in their arrest of his client, Angelika Graswald. Graswald was arrested in connection to the death of her fiancé, Vincent Viafore. According to Graswald, she and Viafore were kayaking on the Hudson River on April 19th when strong winds and rough water caused Viafore’s kayak to overturn. Graswald called 911 and attempted to help Viafore, but fell out of her own kayak and

School bus driver charged with DWI after crashing with students aboard

56-year-old Mary Coletti of Cortlandt Manor was arrested for driving while intoxicated after the school bus she was driving side-swept a telephone pole at around 7:00 a.m. on May 11, The Huffington Post reported. The school bus, carrying 35 students, was heading to Walter Panas High School from the Lakeland School District when the incident took place. Some of the students sustained minor injuries. Coletti was arrested and charged with a DWI after blowing a 0.13% blood

Portale claims Graswald being unfairly judged by police due to Facebook posts

In an article posted on people.com, attorney Richard Portale stated that police are unfairly judging his client, Angelika Graswald, based on content she posted to Facebook after the disappearance of her fiancé, Vincent Viafore. According to Portale, photos and videos posted to Facebook after Viafore’s disappearance in which Graswald could have been perceived as happy affected police and prosecutors, causing them to take notice of her and unfairly judge her. Portale continued, “Who wrote the Facebook rulebook of

Richard Portale argues that alcohol may have played a role in Vincent Viafore’s death

As cited in a recent New York Post article, Richard Portale has stated that Vincent Viafore, the missing kayaker whose body was found last week in the Hudson River, died of an accidental drowning that could have been influenced by drinking before kayaking. Portale is representing Viafore’s fiancé, Angelika Graswald, who is currently charged with his murder. Portale reported that he is currently awaiting the results of an autopsy, which he expects will show that Viafore was “acutely” intoxicated

Man charged with DWI after driving the wrong way

A man was charged with a felony count of first degree reckless endangerment, and misdemeanors DWI and aggravated DWI for driving the wrong way while intoxicated on the Hutchinson River Parkway, Lohud reported on April 27. At 3:27 a.m., authorities begun receiving reports about a car driving south down the street’s northbound lanes. The driver eventually U-turned and was driving the correct direction, but police were already in pursuit. It took the driver a mile before he

Richard Portale a Top 100 National Trial Lawyer

We are excited to announce that Richard A. Portale has recently been awarded the honor of membership in The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100. This is an exclusive membership offered by a professional organization only to those trial lawyers who exemplify superior mastery of their craft, judged in part by their leadership, reputation, influence, and public profile. The national group extends invitations to those trial lawyers most qualified in each state as a testament to their dedication

Two Yonkers men arrested over accusations of multi-state robberies

Two Yonkers men have been arrested by the police and remanded at the Westchester County Jail over accusations of multi-state robberies, the Daily Voice reported on Friday, April 3. 35-year-old Michael Caccavale was arrested on Thursday after an intensive manhunt in the neighborhood of Washington Heights in Manhattan. 24-year-old Nicholas Fiore was arrested on Monday during a traffic stop in Yonkers. Both men have been accused of armed robberies in Rockland and Dutchess County in New York and

Ossining man arrested for DWI

A 39-year-old Ossining man has been arrested after a wrong-way car crash that happened on Friday night, February 28, according to a report by The Beacon Review. Just after 10:30 p.m., 911 received calls from several drivers reporting a Chevy Tahoe heading north in the southbound lane of Route 9A. According to the authorities, Neil Prabhu entered the roadway at Route 117 and drove against the traffic flow for about a mile and a half. He

Raise-the-Age movement gaining steam

New York is one of only two states in the country that routinely sentences 16- and 17-year-olds as adults, with an estimated 800 minors in that age group serving time in one of the state’s adult prisons. However, there has been a concerted effort to curb that practice and raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18 in New York. Under the reform plan proposed by New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, prosecutors would still

Why should I hire a private criminal defense attorney?

While public defenders play a critical role in the Westchester criminal justice system—especially in regards to the services they provide defendants that would be capable of affording a private defense attorney—it is not uncommon for public defenders to be carrying several hundred cases at any given time. So, although public defenders will certainly have your best interests at heart, they most likely will not be capable of spending as much time with your case as a

Questions to ask a criminal defense attorney

The process of selecting a criminal defense attorney can be overwhelming; however, it will likely be critical to your case that the attorney you decide to work with is best suited to your particular needs. With that in mind, the following questions may serve to help you get a feel for the kinds of questions you should ask your attorney before you commit to him or her: How many clients have you represented with charges like mine?

Westchester traffic stop leads to seizure of 17.5 ounces of cocaine

A Westchester traffic stop has led to the arrest of two Massachusetts men found with 17.5 ounces of cocaine on Saturday, February 28, according toLoHud. The two men were allegedly stopped by police for a cracked windshield, among other violations. The driver did not have a valid license, and a search revealed twelve bottles that contained a white substance that tested positive for cocaine. The two were arraigned in Harrison Town Court and were booked to the

Drug-related charges send one Yonkers man to jail

The state police arrested a 46-year-old man from Yonkers due to possession of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia, syracuse.com reported on February 9. Around 11:15 p.m. on Thursday, police pulled over the car of Stuart E. Newman while driving on the New York State Thruway. After failing field sobriety checks, Newman was found in possession of drug paraphernalia and a variety of drugs, including Dimethyltryptamine, Molly, LSD, and Xanax, among others. Newman is now detained in the

NY’s Super Bowl Sunday anti-DWI campaign led to 1,390 tickets

The New York State Police said 1,390 tickets were issued as a result of their Super Bowl Sunday STOP-DWI campaign, Armonk reported on February 7. The campaign, which aimed to discourage, identify, and arrest impaired speeding, and aggressive drivers, started at 12 p.m. on February 1 and lasted 12 hours until midnight. State authorities set up sobriety checkpoints across the state, leading to the arrest of 31 drivers for DWI, 55 for not wearing seatbelts, 16

23 arrested for selling heroin

A year-long investigation by a multi-agency task force led to the arrests of 23 people for allegedly selling heroin across Westchester, according to a press conference held at the Department of Public Safety Headquarters in Hawthorne on January 13. 15 suspects are facing federal charges while another 8 face state charges following the bust. More than $1 million dollars worth of heroin have been confiscated as a result of the arrests. Last year, the multi-agency task force

Richard Portale member of National College for DUI Defense

The entire team at the Portale Randazzo LLP, is pleased to announce that Richard Portale is now a proud member of the National College for DUI Defense. This organization is dedicated to improving the criminal defense bar and to helping the public at large learn more about DUI/DWI laws and regulations. In order to be admitted to this elite and prestigious organization, attorneys must complete an array of tests that help to ascertain their experience, their

What to do if you believe your rights have been violated

While police misconduct may occur with a disturbing regularity across the country, there are a number of effective strategies which victims may employ to hold police officers and agencies responsible for any instance of misconduct. Should you ever become the victim of police misconduct, the ACLU outlines a few things you will need to keep in mind so that you may be well positioned to later challenge that misconduct. First and foremost, you should never physically resist

How do police officers determine probable cause?

For an arrest or evidence obtained in a search to be valid, police officers must first establish probable cause upon objective criteria that, in turn, leads them to believe the suspect committed a crime. With that in mind, some police officers do make arrests and perform searches that, at a later date, may be determined to be illegal and inadmissible by a judge. In any case, it is critical that you exercise your right to

Multi-agency narcotics investigation led to several arrests

A seven-month long multi-jurisdictional investigation by different enforcement agencies into street level narcotics trafficking has led to the arrest of 50 individuals in the City of New Rochelle and 33 in the City of White Plains. Arrest warrants are also pending for 20 more individuals, New Rochelle Patch reported on Wednesday, December 3. The operation, code named “City Sweeper 2,” aims to identify and indict individuals involved in the sales of controlled substances, which include mainly crack-cocaine. Heroin, hydrocodone,

10 charged with DWI in Westchester over Thanksgiving weekend

The Westchester County police charged 10 drivers with DWI-related offenses over the holiday weekend at different checkpoints across the county, Port Chester reported on December 2. Eight drivers were charged in Mount Vernon, six of whom were arrested at a sobriety checkpoint located at the Oak Street exit ramp on the Bronx River parkway. The other two were arrested at other checkpoints located across Mount Vernon. Meanwhile, two other drivers were arrested in Harrison and Yonkers. Police

Richard Portale Recognized for DUI Defense with NAFDD Membership

Dedicated to identifying the most capable DUI attorneys across the country, the National Advocacy for DUI Defense, LLC, (NAFDD) recently welcomed Richard Portale of the Portale Randazzo LLP, as one of its newest members in the state of New York. In a highly saturated market, NAFDD is designed to help individuals charged with DUI choose from the finest DUI attorneys in the nation by imparting recognition upon only those attorneys who deserve it the most. Attorneys selected by

What can a criminal defense attorney do for me?

Regardless of what criminal offense you have been charged with, it is highly advisable that you retain the services of a criminal defense attorney as early on in the legal process as you possibly can. By doing so, an experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to help you protect you rights at each and every point of the legal process. What’s more, our attorneys will work with you to build a legal strategy that challenges each

What would you do if police pulled you over on the way home from a party? It’s after midnight. You’ve had 3 tequila shots in 2 hrs or less.

There are so many variables for you to process in this very common DWI scenario, especially now, in the wake of much stiffer penalties and plea policies being implemented in New York State. Here are a few concepts to consider: The majority of District Attorney’s Offices in NY have conjured up stiffer plea policies and won’t offer reduced pleas from DWI to DWAI, in cases where a driver is charged with having a BAC greater

27-year-old charged with murder in Westchester

Last month, Yonkers resident Luis Blanco’s body was found stabbed and shot in Ossining, New York. His body was discovered by a jogger on the morning of August 24. The body was not identified until recently. Joaquin Recinos-Garcia was charged with second-degree murder. He owed Blanco a total of $1300, according to Ossining Detective Lt. Jeffrey Giorgio. He was connected to the murder when his name was mentioned in one of the police interviews. A

Woman charged with murdering ex-boyfriend, bond set at $500,000

A New York City woman was charged with shooting her ex-boyfriend in the head from the back seat of his car in August 2014. Cheryl Nisbett allegedly used the gun of Robert Ashbourne, her ex-boyfriend, to shoot him. Her first court appearance on October 7 resulted in a bail set at $500,000 and an order from the court to surrender her travel documents. The murder took place in Mt. Vernon, New York. Ashbourne’s vehicle drove

Stamford man charged with DWI over Bear Mountain Bridge Road crash

34-year-old Wuillian Moran of Stamford, Connecticut is facing drunk driving charge after a three-vehicle crash that happened on Bear Mountain Bridge Road at around 9:20 p.m., Sunday, August 2, according to a report by The Journal News. Moran was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox southbound when his car allegedly crossed the double yellow line, struck a 2008 Suzuki head-on and then hit a 2009 Toyota. The driver of the 2009 Toyota was rushed to the Westchester

Married to Medicine cast member charged with cruelty to children

Married to Medicine star Jill Connors was charged with cruelty to children after a domestic violence fight between her and her husband, Dr. John Connors, earlier this month, Fox News reported on Friday, August 28. According to the police report, Mr. Connors called 911 after his wife began scratching him on the chest and arms and punching him in the face. During the call, she grabbed a kitchen knife and began cutting herself while shouting “he’s cutting

Woman’s death after silicone procedure ruled a homicide

On May 30, 34-year-old Kelly Mayhew was found unresponsive after a silicone procedure in New York City. Latrice Mayhew, the victim’s mother, called 911 and tried to revive her but she did not survive. Mayhew had the illegal procedure at a house on Dickens Street, Far Rockaway in Queens. The police said that Mayhew went into cardiac arrest during the procedure and was brought out on a stretcher. Based on reports, the woman who did

What can I do if I am under investigation for a criminal offense?

In the event that you are contacted by police who are pursuing an investigation into a criminal offense, or if you have any other reason to believe that you may be under investigation, you must remember that you may exercise your right to remain silent. The moment after you are aware that you are under investigation, you should consider retaining legal representation to help you protect your rights should you choose to interact with law enforcement

What is considered to be wire fraud?

Wire fraud generally constitutes any plan devised with the intent of defrauding others of money or property via any electric form of media. Allegations of wire fraud can be exceedingly serious; in many cases, wire fraud may be prosecuted in either state or federal court since electronic communication often cross state lines. Moreover, by the time you are even aware that you are under investigation for wire fraud, there is a very good chance that investigators

Charges dismissed due to detectives’ tainted testimony

A dismissal letter written by the District Attorney’s Office asked a Westchester County judge to drop the drug charges against a Peekskill man because of possible false testimony by the two Yonkers detectives who arrested him, a LoHud report stated on May 8. The decision came after one of the detectives, Christian Koch, pleaded guilty to fabricating information on a search warrant for a School Street apartment raid that caused a tenant to fall out of a

Richard Portale Selected Member of The National Advocacy for DUI Defense for Second Consecutive Year

For the second consecutive year, attorney Richard A. Portale of Portale Randazzo LLP, was recognized by The National Advocacy for DUI Defense (NAFDD), LLC, an organization that awards the nation’s best private Driving Under the Influence (DUI) attorneys. NAFDD identifies the top criminal defense attorneys in each state based upon their experience, reputation, and achievements, among other factors. Those who are selected spend a significant portion of their practice representing individuals accused of DUI offenses. DUI law

I-95 traffic stop prompts drug arrests

A traffic stop for a suspected speeding violation on I-95 resulted in the arrests of two 24-year-old’s, both residents of Connecticut, on drug-related charges, the Macro Insider reported on January 2. State troopers pulled Savannah Williams over at around 3:10 p.m. on Thursday. After a quick investigation, authorities came to believe she was driving under the influence of drugs. Her passenger Adam Stetson, meanwhile, was found to be in possession of an unidentified amount of LSD,

Former “Mrs. Westchester” pleads guilty to petty larceny

A court clerk at the Somers Town Court has reported that a former Mrs. Westchester has entered a guilty plea on charges of petty larceny. It was alleged by police that the former pageant winner had falsified business records at her place of work to cover the personal expenses she charged to the company. Since the charge was for petty larceny, it can be surmised that the defendant was not suspected of stealing more than a

Westchester teen arrested over murder

Berinzon Moronta, 16, was arrested for murder on Saturday, October 10 after allegedly stabbing a Sleepy Hollow teen at a village park. Sleepy Hollow Police Chief Gregory Camp said at a press conference that they arrested Moronta at around 6:15 a.m., about seven hours after the stabbing when they tracked him down in Yonkers. According to Police Sergeant Richard D’Alessandro, the officers were called to the scene at around 11 p.m. They found the 17-year-old

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