Launched in September of 2019, the “Free to Drive” campaign aims to end the suspension of motorists’ licenses based on inability to pay the fines and other court fees associated with being convicted of a traffic infraction. Such suspensions, which are designed to motivate drivers to pay such fees, are often self-defeating because motorists who …
Are you selling property, and live in Warwick, Orange County, NY, or Red Hook, Dutchess County, NY? If so, the sale of the property may result in an additional transfer tax paid to the Town’s CPF. Similar to the transfer tax paid as a Seller to New York State, reflected on the TP-584 Form, the …
Electronic evidence has been used in investigations and cases for decades. Whenever a computer, smart phone, tablet or other electronic device is used, chances are some kind of evidence of the transaction can be found somewhere and used to prove what happened, and perhaps who is responsible. In this article, I hope to explain the …
On Friday, May 15, 2020, the Chief Administrative Judge announced that beginning Monday, May 18, 2020, matters in which an individual passed away due to COVID-19 causes are essential proceedings that may be filed in the Surrogate’s Court. This change will now allow attorneys to start assisting Clients to file estate proceedings and begin the process …
“Do I Need to Talk to the Police?” Most people at one point in their life have been approached by a law enforcement agent and questioned regarding a criminal matter which they may have witnessed or have knowledge. Sometimes this investigative process can feel more like an interrogation to the person being questioned. If you …
While this NY Times article is informative in terms of some of the legal challenges faced during Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen the New York Court system evolve by not only hearing essential cases, but also adding virtual conferencing to already filed cases. We are staying on top of the latest legal news and directives …
What Is Shock Incarceration, and how do I get it? If you or a loved one have been charged with the commission of a felony in New York State, you may have heard of the Shock Incarceration program. Introduced as a way to help with overcrowding in prisons while still providing rehabilitation to offenders, the …
What is Judicial Diversion, and how do I get it? If you or a loved one face certain felony charges, you may have heard about the Judicial Diversion Program (Diversion). Out of recognition that many offenders commit crimes in part due to dependency on alcohol or other drugs, Diversion allows non-violent felony offenders to avoid …
What is Willard and how do I get it? Commonly referred to as a “Willard sentence” or the “Willard program”, Willard is the name of a state correctional facility where eligible offenders who are sentenced to a term of parole supervision serve the first ninety days of such parole. These ninety days focus primarily on …
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the “Raise the Age” legislation into law in April 2019. Basically, it means that juveniles aged sixteen and seventeen will be prosecuted in Family Courts in New York instead of Criminal Courts. Starting October 1, 2019 sixteen and seventeen year olds, for the majority of arrests, will have their …