Three members of my family and another person were phisyically assaulted by a person in Queens, NY and then arrested. We heard basically nothing from the DA unless I emailed them a few times. I have recently found out that the DA’s office accepted a plea deal without even consulting with us.... Read more »

answered on May 23, 2023
There is no requirement that you would get a say in the plea deal given to a defendant. You do have the right to make a victim's impact statement pursuant to CPL 390.50 "The district attorney shall also give at least twenty-one days notice to the victim or victim's family of the... Read more »
We were together and they questioned me and I ran up the stairs before because I had a lot of weed on me and I managed to ditch the weed which they later confiscated but has no ties to me. However, now I am the prime suspect in this arson I did not commit and they want me to come in and give a... Read more »

answered on May 22, 2023
I'm not a criminal defense lawyer, but I note you have not asked an actual question - so I will just make a suggestion... This forum is a public place and is routinely monitored by many attorneys, including prosecutors. Obviously, you're asking a hypothetical question, but I would still... Read more »
We were together and they questioned me and I ran up the stairs before because I had a lot of weed on me and I managed to ditch the weed which they later confiscated but has no ties to me. However, now I am the prime suspect in this arson I did not commit and they want me to come in and give a... Read more »

answered on May 22, 2023
First off, you should not speak with any law enforcement before speaking with your own lawyer. Is it police or campus police who are trying to speak with you? Are you a student currently attending the college where this occurred? An attorney can hire an investigator to retrieve video... Read more »
In short, I'm a physician in pvt practice. A pt I have treated for years recently scammed a new pt of my practice out of $500. Via txt messages, he assumed the identity of a fictitious member of my office staff and contacted the patient to schedule an appt with myself (referring to me and... Read more »

answered on May 15, 2023
The perpetrator arguably committed a crime by using your identity to defraud a patient. HIPAA prohibits the disclosure of individually identifiable medical information. One exception to the prohibition, however, is for law enforcement purposes, specifically when necessary to inform law... Read more »
My friend lives at the dorm in college and while they were gone for spring break, someone checked their room and supposedly found the fire alarm covered by a bag. They now have a hearing for the situation soon and don’t know how to go about it.

answered on Apr 30, 2023
The right strategy depends on the college’s bylaws and disciplinary rules, or if in court, the rules of court and the laws cited in the charging documents. Most likely there should be a lot of emphasis on mitigating factors including your friend’s previous record, academic standing, and any... Read more »
My friend lives at the dorm in college and while they were gone for spring break, someone checked their room and supposedly found the fire alarm covered by a bag. They now have a hearing for the situation soon and don’t know how to go about it.

answered on Apr 30, 2023
This looks similar to another New York question involving a dormitory smoke alarm. In my response there, I recommended reviewing the paperwork and assessing what the disciplinary action or charges are, depending on whether the hearing is through the school or through a public court. Your friend... Read more »

answered on Apr 29, 2023
Your friend should review the hearing papers and learn who is conducting the hearing, whether internal through campus fire & safety or through a public court, what it involves in terms of charges, penalties, campus/academic discipline, etc. She could consider consulting with an attorney to... Read more »

answered on Apr 30, 2023
The right strategy depends on the college’s bylaws and disciplinary rules, or if in court, the rules of court and the laws cited in the charging documents. Most likely there should be a lot of emphasis on mitigating factors including your friend’s previous record, academic standing, and any... Read more »
I was an Art teacher in a senior center, which made me chase for students, so in my frustration I added names to my attendance list of people that wasn't taking the classes, that's it. They got angry and fired me, but this people are so crazy that I fear that they can charge me with... Read more »

answered on Apr 4, 2023
I'm not sure I understand your question or what it is you are being accused of having done. You made a list of people that were not attending? Or did you add to an attendance list the names of people who did not attend to make it look like they did attend? Or are you being accused of... Read more »
I’ve read it’s illegal for someone to have herpes and not disclose that before getting intimate. I only ever found out because he is carrying around a bottle of the pills and I confronted him. How do I pursue charges for this?

answered on Mar 30, 2023
If you wish to press criminal charges against the individual (having intercourse while you are knowingly infected is a misdemeanor), you would have to report the matter to the police and see if they are willing to pursue. With regard to pursuing a civil lawsuit against the individual, if the... Read more »
What can I do regarding this?

answered on Mar 17, 2023
If you have a properly worded severance agreement you might have a case, even if the disparaging information is true. Non disparagement clauses can cover even true statements. It all depends on the wording of the severance agreement and the facts surrounding the disparaging statements on social... Read more »
What can I do regarding this?

answered on Mar 11, 2023
Depends on the contents of the severance agreement, what was specifically said in the social media comments and who they were shared with, and whether what they said was opinion or false facts. There could be a defamation claim here; depending on severance agreement, maybe breach of contract as... Read more »

answered on Mar 2, 2023
In New York, it is generally legal to post court documents that are a matter of public record, such as court orders and decisions, online. However, it is illegal to post someone's home address online if it is intended to be used to harass or threaten them. New York has specific laws, such as... Read more »
Intrastate banishment is the practice of banning someone from smaller geographic area's within a state such as entire towns, counties, and cities. It does not include banning someone from an entire state itself.
This is not a state specific question.
Important: The crimes in... Read more »

answered on Mar 2, 2023
As far as I am aware, there are no states in the US that have specific laws prohibiting the use of intrastate banishment as a punishment for crimes. However, some legal experts argue that the use of intrastate banishment may violate constitutional rights such as the right to travel or due process.... Read more »
I said don’t talk to me, got in my car and left. There was no police contact. No one holding either party back. I said leave me alone and she went the other direction and I went home. (NYS)

answered on Feb 14, 2023
When the protected party approaches the restrained party intentionally, that party should leave if possible. If the other person follows or persists in such or similar behavior, call the police and complain about it and call your attorney, as intervention may be in order to modify or rescind the... Read more »
He also was not there while they searched the premises and the search warrant was based of him selling drugs but not outside of her house

answered on Feb 14, 2023
The existence of a search warrant means a judge reviewed the attestation of facts and found sufficient cause to have the premises searched in pursuit of an investigation, and presumably enough to connect the premises with the defendant and suspected crime(s). He can challenge the warrant prior to... Read more »
I don't have a fire arm license, for example, if the police would have found Byrna SD pepper ball gun in my house can they charge me with anything?

answered on Feb 14, 2023
Charged with "anything" is pretty broad. That said, this device is not listed as a firearm in the Penal Law of NYS, nor does it seem capable of discharging a bullet without alteration, so does not appear to require a firearm license. You should review PL section 265.00 to satisfy... Read more »
I was doing him a favor but now I think he's either forged my name on the title because it was in the glove box. I think that's y He's ignoring my plea to get it back

answered on Feb 14, 2023
If it is provable that you gave him the vehicle as a loan, with a designated date to return it, and he has not done so, then he may be charged with an A misdemeanor for unauthorized use. That you would leave the title in the glove box and your presumption that he has forged your name for a... Read more »
I am 16 no prior criminal record and live in NY. The video was of my ex and she accused me of spreading it around the school, I sent it to 1 person only and it was my cousin back then in July. Me and her broke up in october and I deleted everything after. She got a new boyfriend and let’s say his... Read more »

answered on Feb 14, 2023
If the victim is under 17 years of age, and it included sexual conduct, it constitutes a sexual performance of a child and exposes the inducer of such performance to prosecution for a class C felony, which is very, very serious. Sending it, and everyone after that who sends it, has exposure to... Read more »
Met some guy who asked if he could cash his checks in my bank account, because he was having problems, and being extremely naive I did .I've only recently realized that they were fake, I believed him when he told me that his employer was having problems or something, and now I'm starting... Read more »

answered on Mar 2, 2023
Yes, you should report the guy to the police as soon as possible. Cashing fake checks is illegal and if you are found to be involved in such activities, you could be charged with a crime. It's important to be honest and transparent with the authorities and provide them with any information you... Read more »
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