A 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 often one of these elements. Here, prosecutors must establish that a defendant knowingly and/or willfully committed a certain act. Therefore, in these instances, a prosecutor must establish not only that the act occurred, but also that it was done intentionally.
Plea bargaining may be a viable criminal defense option
Television 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 without trial, meaning that, depending on the circumstances at hand, an individual may have a multitude of criminal defense options available to him or her.
How a traffic violation can lead to a DWI arrest
You may not think driving a little buzzed is a big deal. However, if law enforcement stops you for another traffic violation, it can become one. You do not even need to drink enough alcohol to show visible signs of intoxication. Any indication that you've been drinking can lead to an arrest for a DWI.
The use of children in the commission of a drug sale
Drug crimes make up a significant portion of the criminal offenses alleged in New York. Many of our readers may think of drug possession as the main culprit of such criminal charges and, for the most part, they may be right. But the types of drug crimes that a New York prosecutor can pursue are much more varied than possession of one or more drugs. Drug trafficking, of course, can carry much more significant penalties, and possession of drug paraphernalia laws can turn the mere possession of an item into an illegal endeavor.
Rochester man facing charges or possessing stolen property
A 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 offender, or if you are currently on probation or parole for a previous conviction. In these instances, you may need to think hard about how best to defend yourself and escape not only probation or parole revocation, but also additional penalties upon a new conviction.
Representing New Yorkers facing drunk driving charges
The holiday season is here, and along with it comes social gatherings and happiness. New Yorkers need to be aware, though, that police patrols often increase this time of year as the authorities try to crack down on drunk driving. As we discussed in a previous post, the penalties handed out upon a drunk driving conviction can be burdensome. You might wind up facing jail time, license suspension, license revocation and mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device. These penalties, when taken together, can wreak havoc on your personal and professional lives, which is why it may be imperative for you to seek a strong criminal defense attorney when facing these types of allegations.
