In 2020, over 2,000 people in New York City died from drug overdoses. Now it has become the first city in the U.S. to have government-sanctioned overdose prevention centers where addicts can go to use illegal drugs under medical supervision without fear of arrest. ...
When can law enforcement search your home and vehicle?
Police officers can search your home and vehicle only under certain circumstances. Knowing your rights can help you protect yourself in an encounter with law enforcement. Review the laws about police home and vehicle searches in New York. Person and vehicle searches...
Are the police allowed to search in your trash?
Police officers want to search your home, and they’ve asked for your consent. You refused to give it, telling them to come back with a warrant, as is your legal right. The officers couldn’t get a warrant, though, and so they couldn’t carry out the search. Then you...
You do have the right to remain silent
It is said that silence is golden, and you have a right to it in the criminal justice system. The right to silence is a legal concept that guarantees anyone the right to remain silent and refrain from answering questions from law enforcement or court officials. It may...
Are you eligible for drug court in Suffolk County?
When you are dependent on a particular substance, your dependency may make you act in ways you otherwise would not. If you live in Suffolk County, New York, and are currently facing a drug-related criminal charge, you may be able to avoid jail time by instead...
Burglary vs. robbery: What is the difference?
Not all forms of theft are created equal. Two theft crime terms that people often use interchangeably but that are actually different are burglary and robbery. Safety.com details the differences between burglary and robbery in depth. It is important that, if you face...
Common drug possession defenses
Drug crime charges pose a deep impact on the future of anyone facing them, but knowing the potential defenses beforehand may help avoid or reduce the fallout. As the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported in 2019, authorities made more than 1.5 million arrests...
What does it mean to plead the Fifth?
As someone who the state accuses of a crime, you are in a relatively precarious position. Your rights are at stake. The government has a large amount of power. However, you have civil rights to offset this. One of those rights comes from the Fifth Amendment to the...
Theft charges for impersonating someone at a bank
The term "theft" encompasses a broad category of offenses. For example, there is a difference between theft, larceny and grand theft. While many identity theft schemes focus on gathering personal information online, these charges also apply to people who attempt to...
How can I make drug treatment work for me?
Many times when you face a drug charge, the court allows you to enter a diversion program where you can seek treatment instead. Getting treatment allows you to not only help yourself avoid criminal charges but also enables you to move past your addiction and recover...
