
How to Help a Loved One Accused of a Crime in Monticello County
Finding out a loved one has been charged with a crime can throw the entire family into chaos. You may feel scared, confused, and helpless. Yet there are steps you can take to make sure your loved one gets a better outcome for their criminal case. Get them a Lawyer Theoretically, anyone charged with a…

Are Photo Blockers Legal in New York?
Photoblocker is an “anti-traffic camera spray” that is supposed to leave license plates totally visible to the naked eye while leaving them illegible to traffic cameras. It’s also possible to find a “photo blocker license plate cover” meant to do the same thing. They are supposed to make the license plate highly reflective in the…

Can a Monticello County Store Detain You for Shoplifting?
In New York, loss prevention employees have the legal right to detain customers they suspect of shoplifting. They may even use “reasonable force” to do so. They may also only hold you for a “reasonable” amount of time. After the loss prevention employee detains you, they must call law enforcement, who will decide whether or…

When May Police Search Your Vehicle in New York?
One of the issues that might come up when you get pulled over in Orange County or any other place in New York is police might ask to search your car. You must understand your rights when this happens and know what to do when asked. Your Fourth Amendment rights protect you from unreasonable…

When Should You Consider a Plea Deal in Your New York Criminal Case?
Plea deals may be overused, but that doesn’t mean they’re not sometimes the best option for a defendant facing criminal charges. No blog post can tell you the right move in your specific case. You’ll need to talk to an attorney familiar with your situation details before making any decisions. We can only give you…

What to Say When You’re Pulled Over in Monticello, New York
If you drive a car, there’s a good chance you’ll be pulled over at least once or twice during the course of your life. Traffic stops form the bulk of the interactions most people will ever have with the police. While a traffic stop can seem like a routine annoyance, it’s very easy to accidentally…

How Social Media Could Impact Your New York Criminal Case
Here’s a scenario worth considering. You’re being charged with a DWI. You’ve done everything right so far: you complied with the breathalyzer test, you did not talk to the police, and you called a qualified criminal lawyer immediately. You have a shot at seeing this case dismissed, or a shot an acquittal, because your lawyer…
Do You Have to Take a Breathalyzer Test When Pulled Over for DUI in New York?
Refusing a breathalyzer test in New York usually isn’t going to help you with your DUI/DWI case. Indeed, it can bring its own set of problems. However, there are exceptions. This is because New York is an implied consent state. That is, when you get a driver’s license and get on the road, you imply…

What Happens if You Are Pulled Over with a Suspended License in New York?
A license suspension is a very serious matter. Driving on a suspended license in New York is a crime. The official name for it is Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (AUO). There are three levels: 3rd degree misdemeanor AUO, 2nd degree misdemeanor AUO, and 1st degree felony AUO. AUO is covered by New York Penal Code Section…

How DUI Impacts Your Drivers License in New York
When you are charged with DUI there are civil and administrative penalties as well as criminal penalties to contend with. Your license is administratively suspended at your arraignment, even though you have yet to be convicted of a DUI. This happens when you either fail a breathalyzer test or refuse to take one. Obviously here…