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Sealing Criminal Records in Monticello County, NY
A criminal record can make everything harder. Fortunately, you can seal some criminal records in New York if they meet certain criteria. Once criminal records are sealed, they won’t appear on most background checks, including the routine background checks performed by landlords and potential employers. Which records may be sealed? You may seal the following…
How to Help a Loved One Accused of a Crime in Suffolk County, NY
You’ve heard that a loved one has been arrested, and now you’re at your wit’s end. You want to help them, but you have no idea how to do so. Fortunately, you aren’t helpless. You can take steps to help your loved one navigate this challenge. Hire a Lawyer The sooner your loved one gets…
Driving While Stoned in New York
In March of 2021, New York legalized recreational marijuana statewide. Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal. In fact, it’s illegal to have open cannabis products in a vehicle, and if you drive under the influence of cannabis, you may be charged with a DWAI. A first-time offender can face a fine of up…
Frequently Asked Questions About Field Sobriety Tests in Monticello County
In New York, police officers may ask drivers to take field sobriety tests whenever there are “reasonable grounds” to suspect the driver violated state traffic law. These tests may be given in lieu of a preliminary breathalyzer test or alongside the same test. Here are three of the most common questions about field sobriety tests.…
Do You Need a Lawyer for Misdemeanor Charges in Monticello County?
While a misdemeanor crime isn’t as serious as a felony, you still should give it your full attention and pour resources into trying to defeat or reduce the charges however you can. A misdemeanor conviction can have collateral consequences on your life, and can result in jail time. Here’s what you need to know. What…
Do You Have to Get Out of Your Car When Pulled Over for a DUI in New York?
If a police officer asks you to step out of your vehicle for any reason, you must do so, and not just in New York. The Supreme Court has essentially made complying with this request a law of the land. The law was established during the 1977 case of Pennsylvania V. Mimms. In this case,…
What Happens When You’re Pulled Over Without a License in Orange County, NY
When someone speaks of driving without a license in New York, they speak of four distinct circumstances. Each of these scenarios comes with different penalties and creates different problems. Here’s what you need to know. Driving Without Proof of License It’s not a crime to drive around without your physical driver’s license on your person,…
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…
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