Articles Posted in Case Results

Saland Law PC, a New York criminal defense firm founded by two former Manhattan prosecutors, is pleased to announce our client received an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) after she was arrested for trying to check a firearm (gun, pistol, revolver, etc.) with a desk agent from JetBlue at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport in Queens. This offense, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (New York Penal Law 265.03), is a “C” violent felony punishable by up to fifteen years in prison and carries a mandatory minimum of three and one half years in prison.

Despite what many people think, properly registering a firearm and obtaining a concealed weapon permit in their home state does not give them the authority to do so in New York. Compounding matters, even if the gun is “broken down” in a hard sided case with the ammunition in a side compartment, New York law is clear. In substance, if the firearm is capable of being loaded it is, as a matter of law, loaded. What you may perceive as an empty weapon is in fact loaded.

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Although it sounded horrific on paper, the New York criminal defense lawyers at Saland Law PC arguably obtained the best result for a client charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon (a .380 handgun), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and Driving with a Suspended License. Despite the allegations, our client pleaded to the violation of Disorderly Conduct. This disposition avoided not only a criminal record, but jail or probation.

Our client, a resident of North Carolina, came to New York to visit family. Unaware of the laws here, the client brought a legally registered firearm from his home state into New York. When he was pulled over for an alleged traffic infraction, the police also found some marijuana and cocaine on his person in an amount consistent with personal use. Compounding matters, our client was driving on a suspended license for old tickets he was unaware about.

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The New York white collar criminal defense attorneys at Saland Law PC are pleased to announce that another client avoided both a felony conviction and incarceration after being charged with numerous felonies involving theft and fraud. Prosecutors had alleged that our client embezzled in excess of $32,000 from our client’s employer. If convicted of the crimes of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (NY PL 155.35) and Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (NY PL 175.10), our client faced up to seven and four years in state prison respectively.

In this particular case, prosecutors alleged that our client siphoned cash payments directed to the employer and that our client entered false data or caused inaccurate data to be entered into the computer system of the business to cover up the alleged fraud. After negotiations and the presentation of other factors, prosecutors permitted our client to plea to a lesser misdemeanor of Petit Larceny (the “shoplifting statute”) and receive a conditional discharge where the judge instructed our client to stay out of trouble for one year. Although our client admitted to some wrongdoing, he was not crippled by his past and he will avoid the collateral consequences and stigma of a felony conviction as well as incarceration.

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The New York white collar criminal defense attorneys at Saland Law PC are pleased to announce that after months of dedication and advocacy, a client accused of felony Grand Larceny embezzlement obtained a misdemeanor without jail or probation. Prosecutors had alleged that our client embezzled in excess of $25,000.00 by skimming and pocketing transactions from his employer either by overcharging transactions and pocketing the amount or by conducting transactions for cash. If convicted of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree , pursuant to New York Penal Law 155.30, our client faced up to seven years in state prison.

While each case is unique and requires its own legal and practical assessment, Saland Law PC has had tremendous success and results representing clients accused of felony fraud, thefts and embezzlements. In fact, our New York white collar criminal defense lawyers have represented numerous clients accused of “White Collar Light” crimes alleging Grand Larceny, Falsifying Business Records, Forgery or related crimes ranging from less than $10,000.00 to well north of $50,000.00. Even more significant than these crimes, the criminal defense attorneys at Saland Law PC have successfully avoided prosecution and kept clients from jail in more serious White Collar allegations of Tax Fraud and Grand Larceny in the multiple millions of dollars.

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The New York criminal defense attorneys at Saland Law PC are pleased to announced that our client was acquitted of all charges in Brooklyn Criminal Court after he had been initially charged with and accused of DWI / DUI pursuant to VTL 1192.3, DWAI, pursuant to VTL 1192.1 and Driving Without a License pursuant to VTL 509.

Our client was involved in an accident where an individual struck him from behind rendering his 2000 BMW inoperable. Our client waited on the scene until the police came and the other vehicle drove off. Although he only “blew” a .053 on the Intoxylizer 5000, and the police charged our client with the violation of VTL 1192.1, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office bumped the charged to “Common Law DWI,” a misdemeanor. Throughout the case, the DA’s Office had been offering a violation of VTL 1192.1 which we argued was not an “offer,” but merely the “worst case scenario” in that the DWI was not the proper charge (.08 is the legal limit unless prosecutors can establish other characteristics of being intoxicated), but an inflated offense in conflict with the facts of the case.

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Although it took months of wrangling, the New York criminal defense attorneys at Saland Law PC are pleased that our client was able to avoid a criminal record after being arrested and charged with felony Forgery (New York Penal Law 170.10) and felony Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument (New York Penal Law 170.25). Prosecutors had alleged that our client, an employee of doctor at a New York City Hospital, stole sheets of a prescription pad belonging to that physician and drafted a prescription for Oxycodone. This prescription was allegedly presented to a pharmacy where it was determined by staff that the doctor’s signature did not match prior prescriptions. Additionally, staff at the pharmacy questioned the number of Oxycodone pills requested.

After advising the prosecution of the facts of the case, providing a “package” about the client and supplying other factors to law enforcement, the prosecution ultimately agreed to dismiss the felony counts and permit our client to plead guilty to Disorderly Conduct (a violation and not a crime). Currently a nursing student, our client will now be able to proceed with her career and without the scarlet letter of a criminal conviction.

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The New York criminal defense lawyers and former Manhattan prosecutors at Saland Law PC are pleased to announce another victory for a client charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree for possessing a “loaded” firearm at John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport in Queens. Although our client, a Florida teacher, was charged with New York Penal Law 265.03 and faced a mandatory minimum term of 3.5 years in prison if convicted of that felony, Saland Law PC secured a disposition where he pleaded to Disorderly Conduct pursuant to New York Penal Law 240.20. Not only did his plea to this violation avoid incarceration, probation or community service, the plea did not give our client a criminal record at all.

Unfortunately, many honest people who lack any criminal intent are swept into the New York criminal justice system for possessing firearms (pistols, hand guns, revolvers, etc.) without a proper permit to do so. Unwittingly, these people visit New York with the firearm thinking that it is “OK” to possess it in New York City because the have a license or permit to have that firearm in their home state. Often times, when they return home through a New York area airport such as LaGuardia and JFK in Queens, they check the firearm and end up getting arrested. Compounding matters, the firearm is legally loaded, albeit not physically, because the ammunition or bullets are in the hard case along with the gun. The message here is clear. Do not bring your firearm to New York unless you have the proper license(s) in New York State and New York City to do so.

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Saland Law PC, a Manhattan based white collar criminal defense firm representing clients throughout the New York City region, is pleased to announce another tremendous result for a client in the arena of fraud and theft allegations. Our client, charged on two separate dockets, allegedly defrauded approximately $35,000 from one individual and approximately $35,000 from a second individual. Prosecutors charged our client with twenty-five felonies in the two criminal court complaints including Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (NY PL 155.35), Forgery in the Second Degree (NY PL 170.10), Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (NY PL 170.25) and Identity Theft in the First Degree (NY PL 190.80). Prosecutors alleged that our client stole these monies through drafting checks without permission and using credit cards, including a corporate business card, without authority to do so. Despite the large value of the alleged theft, approximately $70,000 between two people, Saland Law PC attacked the veracity of one of the complainants as well the length of time between the incident and the reporting of the theft. Moreover, investigation revealed that this complainant may have been trying to “hide” money from his spouse. After further investigation and challenging the prosecution regarding their ability to prove the $35,000 theft beyond a reasonable doubt, prosecutors dismissed all of the charges. Although we were not as successful with the second felony case as we were with the first case, Saland Law PC negotiated a tremendous disposition on the second matter as well. In the second case, prosecutors agreed to a misdemeanor plea for Petit Larceny (the “shoplifting” statute) as well as Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. Although the complainant and prosecutors presented us with documentation for a significant portion of the $35,000 as well as a signed stipulation by our client that she in fact owed these monies, we successfully argued that despite the admission and documentation, the facts of the case would establish that the complainant was not being forthright. Even if true, the value of the alleged loss was exaggerated and our client signed the agreement under duress. Fortunately, through our investigation and diligence, we were able to corroborate our position thereby weakening the ability of the prosecution to prove the theft and the loss amount beyond a reasonable doubt. After all of our efforts working with our client for over a year to avoid a felony or jail, the court sentenced our client on the misdemeanor plea to three years of probation (no jail) and $20,000 in total restitution. As this client learned, each case is unique and requires its own analysis and defense. Whether it takes one month or one year, some felony fraud cases can be negotiated to a lesser offense while others ultimately may not. Furthermore, some cases may require a trial to prove one’s innocence where a real risk may be present of a conviction and accompanying jail. Whatever result you are seeking and whether or not it is actually attainable, it is imperative that your counsel be a knowledgeable and a zealous advocate who keeps you informed throughout the process as it unfolds.

Saland Law PC, is pleased to announce that another client has benefited from our experience, knowledge and advocacy. Our client, a movie “middle man” who procured funding for multi-million dollar projects, met with prosecutors after being contacted about a disgruntled client. Prior to retaining Saland Law PC, and without any legal representation, our client met with law enforcement officials and made statements that could be construed as admissions relating to Grand Larceny and Forgery crimes. More specifically, prosecutors accused our client of stealing, through false pretenses, approximately $17,500. Moreover, prosecutors alleged that our client created and displayed fraudulent bank documents and contracts that were used to “fool” the movie companies that utilized his services.

After months of legal wrangling our client’s case is over. Through our diligence, our client avoided the embarrassment of being arrested at his home or place of business. On the same day we had our client voluntarily turn himself in, prosecutors arranged to have him see the judge and have his charges dropped down from felony Grand Larceny and Forgery to lesser misdemeanor offenses. At his arraignment, only a few hours after his voluntary surrender, our client pleaded to one count of Petit Larceny, a misdemeanor of pursuant to NY Penal Law section 155.25 (otherwise known as the “shoplifting statute”). Moreover, the judge sentenced him at that time to a conditional discharge. This plea not only saved our client from the humiliation of any felony, but our client avoided jail (he was facing up to seven years in state prison), probation and community service while finishing his case only hours after he voluntarily turned himself into detectives.

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Saland Law PC, a white collar criminal defense firm located in Manhattan, is pleased that we were able to assist another client in obtaining closure to a pending criminal case while preserving her liberty. Our client was charged with Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree, pursuant to New York Penal Law 155.35, and faced up to seven years in prison for her alleged involvement in a “paper case.” Prosecutors claimed that our client made unauthorized purchases using company credit cards totaling approximately $25,000.00. After reviewing the documents associated with the alleged felony theft, we were able to work out a disposition with prosecutors that departed far from the original accusation. Although the negotiations took some time, our client ultimately pleaded to a misdemeanor and stayed out of jail. Moreover, there was no probation or community service associated with her plea. Considering the real possibility of a felony criminal record and a term of incarceration, our client could not have been happier with the results.

While Saland Law PC cannot guarantee any particular result and each case must be handled differently, our experience as both former Manhattan prosecutors under Robert Morgenthau and as New York criminal defense attorneys gives us the experience, knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system to ascertain and implement the best plan of attack to preserve our client’s rights, integrity and freedom.

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