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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]