Monthly Archives: July 2019
State Supreme Court Rules That Social Media Companies Must Turn Over Private Content to Defense Team
In July, the California Supreme Court made a monumental decision that will affect the rights of criminal defendants all over the country. Specifically, the Court found that the criminal defendant and his team were entitled to not only public posts from social media companies such as Facebook and Instagram, but also private posts as… Read More »
New York City Considers Charging Felony for Police Harassment
The New York City police union known as the New York City Police Benevolent Association has demanded that the district attorney charge anyone who throws water or other substances a police officer is to be charged with a felony and consider it to be assaulting an officer. While currently, police officers can make arrests… Read More »
Administration Announces NYPD Officer Will Not Be Charged in Eric Garner’s Death
On July 16, the Department of Justice announced that they will not be bringing a deadly force case against the New York police officer who was involved in choking Eric Garner to death in 2014, sparking outrage amongst civil rights advocates. The issue has not only sparked protests over the issue of excessive force… Read More »
Sports Betting No Longer a Crime In New York, But Only Under Specific Conditions
Approximately one year after the US Supreme Court lifted the ban on sports betting, New York officially joined the list of states that no longer designate wagering on sports to be illegal crime. New York is officially the ninth state to legalize it after the state game commission approved regulations. Some now claim that… Read More »
A Look at The Federal & State Charges Against Jeffrey Epstein & Defenses He May Put Forth
The case against Jeffrey Epstein in New York has received a significant amount of attention in news headlines. After his 2007 negotiation with the US attorney’s office in Miami prevented him from going to prison, a number of people are wondering if he will serve time this time around and to what extent current… Read More »
New Child Victims Act Expands Statute of Limitations to Bring Child Sex Abuse Charges In New York
Since the #MeToo movement and allegations against Jeffrey Epstein have captured news headlines, a new law here in New York has also gained attention, as it provides alleged victims with additional chances to file criminal charges against their accusers here in New York. Specifically, New York legislators passed the Child Victims Act this year,… Read More »
New York City Bill Goes After Gang Database Used by NYPD to Arrest People
A new bill has been introduced in New York City to alter the New York Police Department gang database, which many argue is used as a surveillance tool to arrest and turn people of color (especially juveniles) into criminal defendants, especially when it comes to particular communities, which are unquestionably surveilled more than other… Read More »
New York Bans “Gay and Trans Panic” Criminal Defense
On June 30, New York banned the gay and trans panic defense, which has historically allowed for criminal charges related to violent crimes, including homicide, to be reduced under the justification that the criminal defendant committed violence against the victim upon realizing their sexual or gender identity. In other words, the victim’s sexual orientation… Read More »
