New York Criminal Lawyer Blog

March 19, 2012

Manhattan Gun Crimes & Meredith Graves: The Unforgiving Reality of a Second Degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon Charge

Did Meredith Graves get a “good deal” from Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. after she accepted his misdemeanor non-jail plea bargain? Did DA Vance do the “right thing” in offering a non-felony plea? Certainly, the technical answer to both of these questions is an unequivocal “yes.” After all, it is not as if Graves, a registered nurse and fourth year medical student, had a legal defense. She could not argue the police lacked probable cause to arrest her or that the firearm in her possession was recovered as a product of an illegal search. Further, as we all know, ignorance of the law is no defense. The practical reality was that other than mitigation, no other true defense existed. In a case such as this, getting prosecutors to deviate down from a mandatory three and one half year sentence on a felony to no incarceration on a misdemeanor is significant.

Despite the fact that the offer is a heck of a lot better than the mandatory prison Graves would have faced if convicted of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (New York Penal Law 265.03), there is a real issue that I believe prosecutors ignored in resolving this case. Yes, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office recognized that the firearm in Graves’ possession was illegally possessed in New York, but it was not an “illegal gun.” Graves had a licensed firearm with the proper permits from her home state (whatever they may be). If evidence established that the weapon was purchased illegally, defaced, used in a crime or was involved in weapon trafficking, DA Vance rightfully would have taken a less forgiving approach. Further, unlike an arrest where a firearm is recovered as a result of some other infraction or crime, Graves had attempted to turn in the firearm and check the weapon at Ground Zero when she learned she was unable to possess it there. It does not take a criminal lawyer to recognize that DA Vance took all of this into consideration when ultimately determining what he believed to be the best resolution to this case and deviating from a normal offer or deal.

March 14, 2012

NFL’s Brandon Marshall Accused of Assault in NYC: Potential Crimes, Punishment & Defenses

by Jeremy Saland

Athletes, just like the people who pay to watch them catch balls, shoot baskets and swing bats, sometimes put themselves in compromising situations. Brandon Marshall, a star wide receiver recently traded from the Miami Dolphins to the Chicago Bears, is no different. According to the NY Post, Marshall is accused of punching a woman, Christin Myles, in the face during a late night (actually, an early morning) fracas. It is alleged that Marshall socked the young woman with enough force to give her a black eye. The fight is alleged to have occurred at a club in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

Assuming the allegations are true, Manhattan prosecutors would likely charge Marshall with a top count of misdemeanor Assault in the Third Degree. New York Penal Law 120.00(1) is an intentional crime where you strike another person and cause that person a physical injury. The physical injury element requires substantial pain. Redness, swelling, and a more serious black eye would be enough to reach this threshold. Assuming there is a conviction, you would end up with a sentence ranging from community service or a conditional discharge to three years probation or as much as one year in jail.

March 6, 2012

Report: Recruiting Director for VIP Life, Jaynie Baker, Indicted in UES “Mommy Madam” Escort Ring

by Jeremy Saland

If one of Gotham’s leading tabloids is correct, the dragnet for alleged “Mommy Madam” Anna Gristina’s pimping accomplice is one step closer to exposing its target. According to the NY Post, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD have their eyes set on 30 year old VIP Life matchmaking recruiter Jaynie Baker as the next arrest in the latest high end prostitution bust.

Despite all the hubbub, Gristina, and possibly Baker, is only charged with a “D” non-violent felony for Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree. While prosecutors claim the mother of four scored millions of dollars during her time as a madam, she is not charged with Money Laundering, Enterprise Corruption or any other crime. As I stated in an earlier entry, this one count indictment is strikingly “odd.” In the recent past, high end escort services and their proprietors have been charged with significantly more offenses and much more serious crimes than one “D” felony that does not even carry a mandatory state prison sentence.

March 5, 2012

Prosecutors Claim Multi-Million Dollar Manhattan Madam Asserted Connections in Law Enforcement During Five Year Investigation

by Jeremy Saland

If New York was the Biggest Little City in the World, then prostitution would be a taxable source of pleasure for the state and federal government. New York City, however, is not Reno and Anna Gristina is not the proprietor of the infamous Bunny Ranch. According to Cyrus Vance, Jr.’s Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Gristina ran an enterprise that serviced well healed clients over a fifteen year period. In fact, according to Assistant District Attorneys, Gristina did not run a multimillion-dollar Gotham based prostitution ring alone. Instead, she ran her alleged brothel service with an at-large and unidentified co-defendant.

It is alleged that an Upper East Side apartment was a haven for late night and lunch time lovers who paid millions of dollars to Gristina over the course of fifteen years. It appears that prosecutors spent significant time and money pursuing Gristina and likely have powerful evidence. It is asserted that law enforcement sent in undercover police officers to investigate the alleged sexual fiascos (much to their chagrin and objection one would assume) as well as informants. Reports further indicate that there may be at least fifty hours of surveillance videos and recordings rated at least between “G” and “R” assuming there were no cams set up for a more detailed view. Unfortunately for Gristina, its is alleged that the madam even bragged that her connections in law enforcement would giver her a tip should Big Brother be onto her trysting scheme. Even Jason Itsler, the self proclaimed “King of all Pimps” did not not have that luxury (regardless, both have found themselves in custody during their alleged pimping careers).

March 4, 2012

New York Penal Law 205.30: Is Dismissal of Other Arrest Charges a Criminal Defense to Resisting Arrest

by Jeremy Saland

Sometimes Resisting Arrest, pursuant to New York Penal Law 205.30, is the top count or sole “A” misdemeanor crime charged in a criminal court complaint. Whether it is in New York County (Manhattan), Kings County (Brooklyn), Queens County, or Westchester County, an arrest for Resisting Arrest is certainly a charge worthy of concern. After all, NY PL 205.30, like any similarly situated crime, is punishable by a year in jail and a criminal record that will not be expunged. Sadly, just as serious and “real” these arrests may be (and they certainly can be), they are often added to lesser arrests or violations so that the police can hang a more serious crime over the head of the accused. Instead of merely charging you with Disorderly Conduct, when you pull you arm away or raise your hands as the police attempt to cuff you, law enforcement may decide to slap you with this sometimes bogus crime. Alternatively, where there is no legitimate offense to arrest you for, the police may accuse you of Resisting Arrest to validate and otherwise invalid arrest. Today I want to discuss a legal decision out of Kings County (Brooklyn) Criminal Court that centers around those times when Resisting Arrest is not a legally permissible charge. Whether or not this case is applicable to your defense, consult with your New York criminal lawyer.

In People v. Richard DeJesus, 2009-203 K CR, NYLJ 1202540313846, at *1 (App. Tm, 2nd, 11th and 13th NY, Decided January 20, 2012), the defendant was charged with Resisting Arrest (NY PL 205.30), Attempted Petit Larceny (NY PL 110.00/155.25), and Disorderly Conduct (NY PL 240.20[3]). On appeal, the defendant challenged the sufficiency of the accusatory instrument (the criminal court complaint) arguing that because the underlying crimes were not legitimate or sufficiently established, the Resisting Arrest charge must be dismissed. In plain English (not legalese) this means that the defendant challenged the initial document which laid out the charges at arraignment and which were the basis of the trial. An accusatory instrument has to allege “facts” (I use quotes because they are facts according to the police/prosecution) that could establish all the elements of each crime. An accusatory instrument alleging Resisting Arrest pursuant to PL 205.30 must state facts that if true, show that the defendant intentionally prevented or attempted to prevent the police officer form making an authorized arrest. Notice that the arrest must be “authorized,” or in other words it a lawful arrest.

February 28, 2012

New York Gambling Record Crimes: Must Prosecutors Allege in an NY PL 225.15 Complaint that You Did Not Possess the Records for Personal Use?

by Jeremy Saland

Depending on the facts and circumstances, gambling in New York, outside of Native American Reservations and the horse tracks, is an illegal enterprise. Unlike Las Vegas, gambling in New York City or elsewhere in the State of New York can land you in jail and the winner of a criminal record. New York is no stranger to organized gambling schemes, illegal “bookies” taking bets, or underground gambling enterprises. As a New York criminal lawyer representing clients in Manhattan, Queens, Westchester and the surrounding boroughs and counties, I know that while gambling offenses are not as common as many other crimes, prosecutors and police are constantly on the lookout for and target gambling offenders. Today I want to examine a recent Bronx County criminal case involving the violation of New York gambling laws: Possession of Gambling Records in the Second Degree, pursuant to New York Penal Law 225.15(2).

Under NY PL 225.15(2) a person is guilty of Possession of Gambling Records in the Second Degree when, with knowledge of the contents or nature thereof, he/she possesses any writing, paper, instrument or article of a kind commonly used in the operation, promotion or playing of a lottery or policy scheme or enterprise. Possession of Gambling Records is a class “A” misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine. Remember, even without ever stepping into jail as a part of a sentence, Possession of Gambling Records is a crime that will stay on your permanent. Now, if the records are of the kind used in a bookmaking scheme or enterprise and total more than five thousand dollars the charge escalates to a much more dire case. That is, Possession of Gambling Records in the First Degree, pursuant to New York Penal Law 225.20, is a felony. While the misdemeanor variety of gambling crimes is punishable by up to one year in jail, the felony variety is punishable by up to one and one third to four years in state prison.

February 20, 2012

The Value of Investigating a New York Assault Arrest: New York Criminal Lawyers Obtain Dismissal of Felony Assault Case

by Jeremy Saland

Any New York criminal lawyer can tell you an allegation is merely an allegation. It is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt, or, for that matter, proof of much at all. Whether you are arrested for a fight involving a neighbor or a stranger, the burden on the prosecution is to not only establish the probable cause that legitimized a police arrest for Assault, but also they burden is on the People to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt. Despite this legal requirement and the recognition that an arrest is not proof of any guilt, allegations are often devastating. For a client of Saland Law PC, this pain was overwhelming until our New York criminal lawyers were able to secure a dismissal in his felony Assault case.

Prosecutors charged our client with Assault in the Third Degree (New York Penal Law 120.00) after our client allegedly struck another man and opened up a laceration on his forehead. Normally a misdemeanor crime, this Third Degree Assault was prosecuted as a felony due to the allegation that the barrages of punches were part of a verbal tirade against the complainant because of the alleged victim’s perceived homosexuality. Under New York State law, a misdemeanor crime can be elevated to a felony offense if it is classified as a “hate crime.”

February 15, 2012

The Legal Burden in Establishing a Working “Weapon” in New York Criminal Court: NY PL 265.01

by Jeremy Saland

From gravity knives to switchblade knives, whether in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens or out in Westchester County, as an experienced New York criminal lawyer I have frequently seed defendants charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree. A misdemeanor, CPW 4, pursuant to New York Penal Law 265.01, is punishable by up to a year in jail. Often times, the alleged offenders are not taken into full custody (traditional arrest, spending a night in jail), but instead are issued a Desk Appearance Ticket (largely issued to NY residents to make it easier on the police, who can issue the ticket and release the ‘defendant’ from their custody without having to send the offender to central booking). More important than procedure, however, is the fact that District Attorney’s Offices in the New York City area consider Criminal Possession of a Weapon one of the most serious types of misdemeanor offenses. This fact is reflected in tough and limited offers and plea deals at arraignment (the first time one sees a judge) regardless of whether a DAT was issued or not.

Briefly, a person is guilty of NY PL 265.01, if that person possesses a weapon specified in the statute (such as a gravity knife or switchblade knife). An individual’s intended used of the “weapon” is not a factor in their guilt. That is, even if you don’t intend to harm anyone, if you have a knife that is deemed a weapon in your possession, you are guilty of the crime. Logically then, mounting a defense against Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree rests largely on showing that the search and recovery of the weapon was improper, the weapon was not in your possession or showing that in fact the item is not a weapon.

February 10, 2012

Breaking Down a New York City Desk Appearance Ticket & DAT

by Jeremy Saland

Although the New York City Police (NYPD) can easily arrest you and send you to Central Booking for any misdemeanor or “E” felony, in certain circumstances they can, and will, give you a Desk Appearance Ticket (often called a “DAT” or “Appearance Ticket”) instead. While you have still been arrested, whether your criminal lawyer secured this DAT for you or the police were just being reasonable in light of the allegations, you will be sent home after your fingerprints are taken. This blog entry addresses the “white paper” or “white ticket” that you were given and some routinely asked questions about what is contained therein. What is the Physical Desk Appearance Ticket

Before breaking down your DAT or Desk Appearance Ticket, it is critical to understand that it is NOT the complaint or criminal papers that will ultimately be filed against you. Instead, the DAT is a note or document that merely informs you that you must appear in a particular court on a particular date. Should your name, address or even the offense charged be incorrect, it in no way invalidates your DAT. In fact, if you lose the Appearance Ticket it would not adversely impact the prosecution’s case in any way. If you appear in New York City Criminal Court without this DAT, the court staff will locate the official criminal complaint against you. If you do not appear, on the other hand, a judge will likely order a bench warrant for your immediate arrest.

February 5, 2012

Do Puncture Wounds from being Stabbed Automatically Establish Serious Physical Injury in a New York Felony Assault Case?

by Jeremy Saland

Generally speaking, the practice of criminal law is neither scientific nor mathematical. While a New York criminal lawyer may be methodical in his or her dissection of legal issues and the use of prior cases decisions to prove a particular point of law, criminal law in New York is constantly morphing and growing. Whenever advocating for a particular point of law, having the most recent court rulings on the particular issue at hand is critical. It can make the difference between being charged “as is” or obtaining a dismissal or reduction of your case from a felony to a misdemeanor.

One area of New York criminal law where the principles above are illustrated is in the arena of New York Assault crimes. Essential to any New York Assault case, whether it be Assault in the Third Degree (New York Penal Law 120.00), Assault in the Second Degree (New York Penal Law 120.05) or Assault in the First Degree (New York Penal Law 120.10), is the existence of some form of injury. The threshold for this injury is “physical injury” in misdemeanor NY PL 120.00 crimes and “serious physical injury” for crimes involving the felony offense of NY PL 120.05. Whether or not the prosecution is able to prove “serious physical injury” as opposed to the lesser “physical injury” makes the difference between facing up to seven years in state prison or one year in a local or county jail such as Rikers Island (not that any institution is where you would want to be).