It is very easy in New York State to compound a bad mistake and inadvertently roll it into a felony case. To find an example of this, one needs to look no further than the Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree pursuant to New York Penal Law 155.30(4) and Criminal…
New York Criminal Lawyer Blog
New York’s Assault in the Second Degree & Your Criminal Defense: How Prosecutors Can “Bump Up” Assault in the Third Degree (NY PL120.00) to a Felony of Assault in the Second Degree (NY PL120.05(2))
Criminal defense attorneys and lawyers throughout New York City regularly deal with the various crimes relating to and degrees of Assault found in Article 120 of the Penal Law. The most common, Assault in the Third Degree ( New York Penal Law 120.00), is a misdemeanor offense punishable by up…
New York Penal Law 220.03 – Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree & Your Criminal Defense: Does Quantity of the Drug Matter?
Whether you are issued a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) or you have been arrested in Manhattan, Brooklyn or anywhere else in New York, if you possess a controlled substance you may be charged with New York Penal Law section 220.03. This offense, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the…
Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification Information (NY PL 190.81, 190.82 & 190.83) & Your Criminal Defense: Does New York Law Require the Use of the Personal Information?
You have been arrested with a print out of checking account numbers or a list of maiden names of ten different people. Although it is crumpled up in your wallet, you had not actually used the information or attempted to use that information. Well, is the mere possession of that…
New York Jail Chaplin Arrested After Allegedly Trying to Bring More Than His Prayers & Well Wishes to Prisoners
Imam Zul-Qarnain Shahid, a New York City Jails Chaplin, was arrested yesterday after x-rays allegedly revealed he had three razors and a pair of scissors on his person when he attempted to enter a New York City Department of Corrections jail in lower Manhattan. Upon setting off an alarm, corrections…
Man Allegedly Pummels Yorkie & Charged with Aggravated Animal Cruelty: Dog Sustains Six Fractured Ribs and Loss of Left Eye
According to reports, Joseph Graves, the boyfriend of Broadway actress Ashley Yeater, allegedly beat his girlfriend’s yorkshire terrier with a belt buckle. It is further alleged that Mr. Graves admitted to striking the dog when investigators confronted him. Although the case has not been presented to a New York County…
Two Men Enter – One Man Leaves: Queens Teacher Arrested in Alleged Pee-Wee Thunderdome
Joseph Gullotta, a Queens fourth grade elementary school teacher, and Abraham Fox, a teachers assistant, were arrested and arraigned in Queens County Criminal Court after it was alleged that the two adults encouraged and permitted a nine year old and ten year old to engage in a physical confrontation. Both…
Forgery (NY Penal Law 170.05 & 170.10) of Clothing, Jewelry or Handbags? Does Forgery Only Apply to “Written Instruments?”
The pertinent part of New York Penal Law sections 170.05 & 170.10, Forgery in the Third and Second Degree, plainly states that one is guilty of Forgery when with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, a person falsely makes, completes or alters a written instrument. Depending on what a…
Through Rain or Snow…They’ll Steal Your Dough? Westchester Mail Carrier Arrested For $70K Thefts From Residents
Tensy May Smith, a letter carrier for the postal service who has worked in the town of Pound Ridge (Westchester County), was arrested earlier today in a joint investigation by the Pound Ridge Police Department and the United States Postal Inspection Service. After receiving numerous complaints of people losing debit…
Mets Fan Pleads Guilty to Petit Larceny After Stealing Memorabilia: Yankee Fans Fear Prosecution for Stealing Mets’ Thunder
A die-hard Mets fan and employee at old Shea stadium, Gerald Tacopino, pleaded guilty today in Queens Criminal Court for the misdemeanor crime of Petit Larceny. When sentenced, Mr. Tacopino was fined $500 and paid just over $800 in restitution. Mr. Tacopino was previously arrested after a search warrant at…