The Martin Act, New York General Business Law 352 and related subsections, is the hammer in a prosecutor’s toolbox to investigate and prosecute securities fraud in New York State. The New York State Legislature passed this “blue sky law” to regulate fraudulent securities transactions and to provide the New York…
New York Criminal Lawyer Blog
Charges Against New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Explained — What is Honest Services Fraud?
It’s all over the newspaper today, with headlines like “BombShel” and “Silver Lining Crook Book,” that the long-time Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Sheldon Silver, has been hit with fraud and corruption charges by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara. Everyone is talking…
“Touching” vs. “Holding”: The Minimum Threshold for Violating New York Penal Law 121.11 Obstruction of Breathing and Blood Circulation
Criminal Obstruction of Breathing and Blood Circulation is a serious charge. As criminal lawyers who have handled these cases, we can say without hesitation that here is simply no other way to view the offense. In the State of New York, a defendant commits the crime of Criminal Obstruction of…
Is Third Degree Assault (NY PL 120.00) a “Lesser Offense” of Second Degree Strangulation (NY PL 121.12)
Third Degree Assault, New York Penal Law 120.00, is a relatively straight forward offense. Although the application and interpretation of the law always has its wrinkles, one is guilty of Assault in the Third Degree when one intentionally, or recklessly, causes physical injury to another. Physically injury is generally identified…
Federal Computer Hacking (18 USC 1030) Is Not Always What It Seems: Client Gets Federal Misdemeanor and No Jail
Having the FBI knocking on your door at 6 in the morning can be the most frightening experience in your life. They enter, start searching through your most personal belongings, take your papers, records, phone and computers and leave. This is what happened to one of Saland Law’s recent clients…
Admissibility of Your Portable Breath Test Taken at the Scene of Your DWI Arrest at a New York Criminal Trial
In New York State from Manhattan and Brooklyn to Yonkers and White Plains, drunk driving, driving while intoxicated, DWI, DUI, or any way you want to describe it, VTL 1192 is an extremely serious offense. Simply, not only is a violation of New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law section…
Federal Healthcare Fraud Investigations on the Rise
Recently, we discussed the history of the Medicare Fraud strike forces set up by the U.S. Department of Justice, Fraud Section, in an effort to combat what was perceived as rampant fraud in the healthcare system. Recently, local U.S. Attorneys across the country have copied the structure and format of…
Does Failing to Allow Police in Your Apartment Without a Warrant or an Emergency Constitute Obstruction of Governmental Administration (PL 195.05)
Simply, we can all appreciate and respect the fact that just as the police act on calls, information and statements with the goal of providing safety and security to residents of New York, there are times when the police are not needed or warranted. Practically speaking, it is often difficult…
Study Aids and Pain Relief for Sale: New York Felony Crimes Involving the Illegal Sale and Possession of Adderall
It is likely not lost on your criminal attorney or New York criminal defense lawyer. The same can certainly be said about the undercover police officer who purchased “study aids” from you after seeing your advertisement on Craigslist. Even more concerning, it is likely not the prosecutor’s (Assistant District Attorney)…
Facial Insufficiency & Dismissal: When NY Criminal Complaints Charging Reckless Endangerment & Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation Meet the Minimum Legal Standard
Facial Sufficiency is a vital consideration in the field of Criminal Law (one of many, of course). If a misdemeanor information (some people call it a complaint) is facially insufficient then the misdemeanor information is considered jurisdictionally defective and should be dismissed. In order for a misdemeanor information to be…