By James L. Riotto | Published May 21, 2024 | Posted in Criminal Defense | Tagged Tags: Criminal Defense Attorney | Leave a comment
Imagine this scenario: you receive a call from the police, and they say they “just want to talk” or they want to hear “your side of the story.” Maybe they even suggest that you don’t need an attorney for this informal chat. It might seem harmless or even reassuring, but these are red flags that Read More
Read MoreA major overhaul of New York’s criminal law now requires prosecutors to share key information and evidence with defendants automatically and to do so much earlier in the pretrial process. The reforms, which took effect January 1, 2020, mark a major change in New York’s discovery law — once dubbed the “blindfold law” because it Read More
Read MoreAcross the country, stay-at-home orders have strained law enforcement and tested how far states and municipalities are willing to go to enforce the orders. These directives have triggered controversy and confusion, as standards sometimes differ from town to town or county to county. In certain instances, people who have violated government edicts designed to reduce Read More
Read MoreDuring the coronavirus pandemic, previously bustling locations from malls to urban downtowns have gone eerily quiet. But your local pizza place might still be open, along with restaurants that can survive on takeout and delivery orders and, of course, grocery stores. After all, keeping people fed during an epidemic is critical, and food delivery and Read More
Read MoreAlong with the serious health risks associated with coronavirus, Americans are burdened by quarantine orders and similar directives that forbid them from seeing their loved ones, even for major events such as holidays and birthdays. It can be tempting to try to break the rules, especially for people who believe that they don’t fall into Read More
Read MoreSometimes gatherings, events and protests can get out of hand. Whether you are simply hanging out with a few friends or attending a massive community event, the police may arrest you or someone you know for disorderly conduct. In order to commit disorderly conduct, you must intentionally annoy, disturb or inconvenience the public. But it can Read More
Read MoreMany adult Rochester residents have memories of things they did when they were juveniles and think themselves lucky for not getting caught during the potential mistakes they made as any issue with the law can negatively impact a person’s future. There is no doubt that an act as a juvenile could be classified as a Read More
Read MoreSports rivalry games can become aggressive with both on-field animosity and ribald antics in the stands. In what should have been considered a harmless prank, a Florida man now faces a legal nightmare following the recent New England Patriots versus Buffalo Bills Monday Night Football matchup in New York. Michael Abdallah has been arrested for Read More
Read MoreWhen a car accident in New York causes injuries or death, one of the key parts of the investigation is determining if one of the drivers was under the influence. The penalties for a DUI conviction after a fatality are significant and can send an otherwise law-abiding citizen to jail for an extended period. Having Read More
Read MoreFor people in Rochester and throughout Upstate New York, a simple traffic stop because of an equipment issue or due to a minor violation can lead to major criminal charges if there are other issues at hand. For example, if the person is alleged to have drugs in the vehicle and is under the influence, Read More
Read MoreIn Rochester and the surrounding areas of New York State, law enforcement is out in force seeking drivers who might be operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Since driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is considered such a dangerous act that can lead to accidents and injuries, the law Read More
Read MorePeople can face drunk driving allegations in unusual circumstances in Rochester. The potential consequences and penalties should there be a conviction can have a negative impact on their lives in multiple ways. For those whose personal situation makes DUI charges more problematic than they might be for another person, it is even more vital to Read More
Read MoreAlthough, many call it the world’s oldest profession, the reality is that prostitution is illegal in New York. Those accused of engaging in it, both sex workers and customers, may face serious criminal penalties. This blog post will describe the potential penalties for those convicted of engaging in prostitution. When a person is accused of engaging in Read More
Read MoreYour college years are a time of growth and experimentation. During this time of your life, you will experience a lot of achievements and challenges, and you may even encounter some legal troubles. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 27,500 crimes against people and property at college institutions in 2015. Here are some Read More
Read MoreAlthough no family or relationship is perfect, they should not include acts of violence. Unfortunately, disputes break out and could get out of hand. This is where allegations of domestic violence could occur. These situations are taken seriously, as they not only hold the potential for serious criminal penalties, but a domestic abuse charge could hinder one’s Read More
Read MoreThere is a wide variety of professions people in New York and elsewhere can take on. While these positions are likely legal and legitimate, others can fall into a gray area. However, some professions are known to be illegal, meaning individuals could face criminal penalties for engaging in them. Prostitution, which is known as the oldest Read More
Read MoreBeing accused of a crime is a difficult time for accused offenders in New York and elsewhere. Hearing that your have been charged with a crime tends to imply that one must face the penalties of the crime. However, this is not true. It is possible to take on an aggressive defense approach, helping to Read More
Read MoreWe all have heard the phrase innocent until proven guilty. While this is the guideline for the American criminal system, defendants often have a different experience. The second criminal allegations are made a defendant could face scrutiny. Just because a person is facing a criminal charge, the public tends to view them as guilty. This Read More
Read MoreJust about everyone has had a bad day at work. Usually, this simply means that things didn’t go according to plan or an interaction with a coworker or customer became confrontational. In most instances, those who experience one of these days can simply sleep it off and put it behind them. For some New Yorkers, Read More
Read MoreIf you are facing a criminal charge in New York, you likely have concerns about the potential punishments you are going to face, and whether you will have to spend time behind bars or pay considerable fines. In addition to any penalties you may receive for a criminal conviction, however, you may also face what Read More
Read MoreThere are a number of serious criminal offenses in New York. Amongst these are crimes against property. Although vandalism and theft can be treated aggressively by prosecutors, these offenses can also be minor in comparison to some other property crimes, like arson. With a wide spectrum of severity when it comes to these offenses and Read More
Read MoreA lot of New Yorkers think that a criminal matter ends once a defendant is found guilty or innocent. While this may be true to a certain extent in that penalties will be imposed or not, there may be ongoing issues that can leave an individual in need of a criminal defense advocate. One example Read More
Read MoreA few weeks ago on the blog we discussed an incident that left a Rochester man facing criminal charges for possessing stolen property. This case is a perfect example of how defense options can be discovered simply by looking at the legal elements that must be proven before prosecutors can obtain a conviction. Intent is Read More
Read MoreTelevision shows and movies make it look like every case, civil or criminal in nature, goes to trial spurred along by cutthroat attorneys who will do anything to make the other side look bad. Although these types of situations exist in the real world, they are not the norm. In fact, many times cases resolve Read More
Read MoreA conviction for any criminal offense can leave you facing serious penalties, regardless of the crime’s severity. You might wind up facing jail time, a fine and damage to your reputation and your record that makes living a normal life difficult. These penalties can be even more severe, though, if you are considered a habitual Read More
Read MoreProperty crimes are treated quite seriously in New York. Those who have had their property stolen or damaged are often quick to point the finger, and aggressive law enforcement officers and prosecutors are ready to press the matter. Although this thirst for justice is admirable, it can also be dangerous, as innocent individuals are often Read More
Read MorePart of New York’s Raise the Age legislation will raise the age of criminal responsibility for some teenagers. It takes effect in October 2018 for 16-year-olds and October 2019 for 17-year-olds. It also puts the state in line with the huge majority of other states. New York currently is one of just two states that Read More
Read MoreMistakes happen. Most of the time when they do, we learn, we live and we move on. Sometimes, though, these mistakes can leave others harmed, whether physically, emotionally or financially. If severe enough, one of these incidences could lead to criminal charges. However, in an attempt to protect individuals from the long reach of the Read More
Read MoreIt only takes one compelling piece of evidence to make the prosecution’s case when seeking a conviction for criminal charges. This is why accused individuals need to ensure that they do everything they can to protect themselves. Those who fail to do so may wind up being taken advantage of, as aggressive prosecutors know how Read More
Read MoreIt doesn’t take much for an individual to find him or herself at the center of a criminal investigation. In many instances, it only takes the statements of one person. In others, it may be a matter of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Sometimes, though, the evidence can seem insurmountable to Read More
Read MoreIt may sound surprising, but there are a number of seemingly minor situations that can lead to criminal charges. A traffic stop for a broken taillight, for example, could result in the driver being charged with drunk driving or possession of an illegal substance. Many individuals who find themselves facing allegations of criminal wrongdoing are Read More
Read MoreYou should not take criminal charges lightly. Even if you are only charged with a misdemeanor, a conviction could seriously derail your life and goals. If your case has already been closed and you are dealing with the consequences of a conviction, though, there are several options you may consider for restoring your life. Applying for Read More
Read MoreProstitution is known by many as the oldest profession on earth. Prostitution is illegal throughout most of the United States, including New York state. So what exactly does prostitution cover? There are several stages of a “transaction” of prostitution, and depending upon each state’s laws, each stage could be considered a crime. A person looking Read More
Read MoreThroughout the United States, there are dozens of mental conditions that could lead a person to face criminal charges. Kleptomania is the inability to resist the urge to steal items. Often these items are small and relatively minor in value. It is considered a serious mental condition that affects thousands of Americans each year. The Read More
Read MoreIt is illegal to take part in prostitution in New York State in any respect. When arrested on prostitution charges, there can be penalties assessed including fines and jail time. Even worse is the stigma that is attached to the charges. People might have their family life and employment negatively affected by the mere allegations Read More
Read MoreYou have read stories of college hazing incidents that result in students getting arrested and charged with serious offenses. Hazing is defined in New York as conduct that occurs in an initiation that intentionally or recklessly puts a person as risk of physical injury (hazing in the second degree) or causes that person to be Read More
Read MoreThere is an understandable stigma surrounding allegations of domestic violence in Rochester and throughout the nation. People who are arrested for charges related to violence in the home can face long-term consequences in a legal sense, but they can also lead to personal issues at work, school and in a multitude of other ways. While Read More
Read MoreWithout a doubt, one of the highlights of the day for people everywhere is being greeted at the front door by their favorite pet after a long day at work or school. Indeed, the reality is that the bonds many people have with their pets are so strong that they view them as more than Read More
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