Info
Featured In
Media Badges

by

Make no mistake about it. If you “dine and dash,” leave a Manhattan cab driver high and dry without paying, jump a turnstile in Brooklyn or even use cable without permission, you will be either arrested or issued a NY Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) for Theft of Services pursuant to New York Penal Law 165.15. If you are a New York City teacher or or any other person using a student or senior MetroCard, you will will face the same charge as well. Assuming you did not have permission to receive the services without paying, the conversation you have regarding Theft of Services (NY PL 165.15) with your New York criminal defense attorney or lawyer will be fairly simple. Not a DNA case, this crime is often summed up as either a misunderstanding between you and the victim or the result of a plainly stupid move on your part. The problem is, regardless of whether you were issued a New York Desk Appearance Ticket or arrested, if you are convicted of Theft of Services you will have a criminal record that will not be expunged or merely go away.

Potential Punishment & Collateral Consequences of Theft of Services (NY Penal Law 165.15)

Continue reading

by

According to various reports, David Mejias, the Democrat New York State Senate candidate running against Republican Senator Kemp Hannon in Long Island’s 6th Senate District, was arrested earlier today after an alleged “domestic type” incident involving an ex-girlfriend. Mr. Mejias is charged with multiple misdemeanors including Menacing in the Second Degree (New York Penal Law 120.14), Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree (New York Penal Law 120.20) and Stalking in the Third Degree. These crimes are all “A” misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail. While bail was set at $1000, District Attorney Kathleen Rice appointed a special prosecutor due to her relationship with the defendant.

It is alleged that Mr. Mejias, the defendant, drove past his ex-girlfriend and abruptly stopped his vehicle. This caused the ex-girlfriend, the alleged victim / complainant, to do the same with her car. At that point it is further alleged that Mr. Mejias exited his vehicle and and yelled and screamed as he approached the alleged victim. The complainant was able to drive away, but the defendant is alleged to have followed her. After she was able to elude the accused, the ex-girlfriend reported the case to the police and the police arrested Mr. Mejias.

Continue reading

by

Caroline Giuliani, the former New City Mayor’s daughter, obtained an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal (ACD) in court earlier today whereby her case will be dismissed and sealed in six months. New York’s Eyewitness News consulted New York criminal defense attorney Jeremy Saland as an “expert” in the arena of New York shoplifting and Petit Larceny (New York Penal Law 155.25) cases.

As noted in the news clip, Mr. Saland indicated that such a disposition is fairly typical where the alleged theft does not exceed $100. However, although it was not mentioned during the broadcast, Mr. Saland further explained that in the event the theft is alleged to have exceeded $100 dollars, the standard offer in Manhattan is often a less forgiving Disorderly Conduct. Furthermore, if the crime involves an alleged theft of $500 to $1000, then the standard offer is at best a “B” misdemeanor of Attempted Petit Larceny.

Continue reading

by

One of the more common violent crimes charged in New York is Criminal Possession of a Weapon pursuant to New York Penal Law sections 265.01, 265.02 and 265.03. While the lower level weapon crimes often relate to the possession of knives or similar instruments (gravity knives and switchblades), the more serious weapon crimes usually relate to the possession of a “firearm.” Obviously, because they do not reside here, many out-of-state residents who travel to New York are unfamiliar with the strict gun and weapon laws in New York City. Unbeknown to them, even bringing their duly licensed pistol, revolver or handgun from their home state into New York will result in an arrest for possession of that firearm. Sadly, gun owners who legally possess their weapons out of state are routinely arrested in New York City airports (Queens County) such as LaGuardia Airport or John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport. What was an innocent mistake is now a serious felony punishable in most circumstance by a mandatory minimum of 3.5 years in state prison.

Just like other areas of law, New York weapon and gun laws have their own terms, definitions and legal decisions. In other words, while you might think your gun is not loaded because the ammunition is not in a magazine or cylinder of a gun, the gun is actually loaded in the eyes of New York law because the firearm is capable of being loaded. Another term that causes some confusion, but is critically important to understand, is what constitutes a “firearm” in New York.

Continue reading

by

Elizabeth Crotty, a New York criminal defense attorney and former Manhattan prosecutor at Saland Law PC, was a key contributor in a New York Times article regarding the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s Early Case Assessment Bureau (ECAB). Often called the “Complaint Room,” ECAB is staffed by prosecutors who assess police arrests in Manhattan and make the ultimate charging decisions. The author of the article addressed some of the issues associated with ECAB and the interactions with prosecutors, police and detectives when cases are being drafted. More specifically, the article addressed recent criminal charges against two police officers and the apparent communication problems when interviews and debriefings are done over the phone as opposed to in person. The article and Ms. Crotty further examined whether problems were based in “miscommunication” or whether, at times, the police give the wrong information or even lie.

Saland Law PC is a New York criminal defense firm founded by two former Manhattan prosecutors. The New York criminal defense lawyers at Saland Law PC represent clients throughout the New York City region.

by

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.

Continue reading

by

Make no mistake. If you do not show up to court in New York on the date you are required to do so, a Bench Warrant will be issued. Simply put, a judge will issue an order for your immediate arrest and return to court. While the following is not to be construed as advice for your particular set of facts and you should consult with a New York criminal defense attorney in the event a Bench Warrant has been issued in your case, this blog entry will address potential crimes that you may encounter and means by which to minimize the damage you may have caused by not going to court as you were required.

Unfortunately, the law sees no difference between the person who fails to return to court because they forgot the return date, were out of the state or just didn’t feel like showing up. If your New York criminal defense lawyer is advised beforehand that you will not be present and he or she can corroborate the reason why (assuming it is legitimate), often times a Bench Warrant can be avoided. However, if you merely fail to show up as indicated above, it is highly likely a Bench Warrant will be issued for your arrest and return.

Continue reading

by

As a New York criminal defense attorney / lawyer and a former Manhattan prosecutor, I have heard both defendants and clients often assert the same defense when they are either arrested or issued a New York Desk Appearance Ticket for shoplifting (New York Penal Law 155.25 or 165.40) in Manhattan, Brooklyn or anywhere else in New York City. This argument usually centers around the fact that when they were arrested or stopped they had yet to leave the store. In other words, individuals charged with shoplifting will argue that their arrest was not merely premature, but baseless.

Criminal cases can essentially be broken down to issues of fact and issues of law. An issue of fact might be whether or not you passed by a cash register, where the items were allegedly concealed or what you said to security or the police when you were stopped. An issue of law is whether or not a complaint drafted against you is facially sufficient or whether that statement you made to the police was taken in violation of your rights. Regardless of the issue, whether it is fact or law, arguments made with prosecutors often follow.

Continue reading

by

According to reports, Francisco Rodriguez, a/k/a “K-Rod,” a New York Mets’ pitcher and closer, was arrested at Citi Field (Mets Stadium) and charged with Assault in the Third Degree (New York Penal Law 120.00). Police arrested K-Rod after he allegedly struck his father-in-law who ultimately suffered a scrape on is face and swelling above his eye. Rodriguez was kept in police custody and held over night. He is scheduled to be arraigned sometime today. This is the second high profile case handled by the Queens District Attorney’s Office in the past few days after the arrest of Steven Slater, the JetBlue flight attendant.

Assault in the Third Degree is an “A” misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. Generally, one is guilty of this crime if one intentionally causes physical injury or substantial pain to another person. Often time in cases where the injury is minor, police will issue a New York Desk Appearance Ticket as opposed to putting someone through the system. However, in criminal cases involving family members (“domestic violence”), Desk Appearance Tickets are not issued.

Continue reading

by

I previously assessed, albeit briefly, the possible criminal charges that JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater might face in Queens County for opening the emergency door and sliding onto the tarmac. These offenses included the misdemeanors of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree and Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree. Unfortunately for Mr. Slater, it appears as if the Queens District Attorney’s Office has not merely charged him with misdemeanors after his arrest stemming from the JFK incident. Instead, they have thrown something more serious against the wall hoping that it will stick. Mr. Slater now faces Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree. Both of these crimes are “D” felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison.

Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree Charged with Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (New York 120.25), Mr. Slater’s actions must be more wanton than Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree (New York Penal Law 120.20). In fact, the standard for that crime is that Mr. Slater must have acted with “depraved indifference to human life” and recklessly created a “grave risk of death to another person.”

Continue reading

Contact Information
274 Madison Ave #1401
New York, NY 10016
Office: 212.312.7129Fax: 212.918.9375
By appointment only
50 Main St #1000
White Plains, NY 10606
By appointment only
254 S Main St #500
New City, NY 10956
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING - Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Copyright © 2026, Saland Law PC
JUSTIA Law Firm Blog Design