In late March, President Trump publicly floated the idea of quarantining New York, as well as parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. While the quarantine was ultimately not implemented, with the White House instead issuing a travel advisory for those three states, it made some people fear what might happen if one or more states were, in fact, quarantined. For example, what happens to people who break an officially imposed quarantine? Continue reading “Criminal Penalties for Breaking Quarantine”
Tag: criminal law
The Benefits and Drawbacks of a Jury Trial
Every American is guaranteed a right to a trial by a jury of their peers in a court of law, thanks to the Seventh Amendment of the United States Constitution. However, almost all criminal cases are settled out of court, and of the ones that go to trial, many choose to forego a jury trial in favor of a “bench trial” instead. Why is it that, despite having this right, so few criminal defendants choose to have a jury trial? Continue reading “The Benefits and Drawbacks of a Jury Trial”
What is Cruel and Unusual Punishment?
The Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States says, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” In theory, this means that the courts cannot assign any “cruel and unusual punishment” on any United States citizen. But what exactly makes a punishment cruel and unusual, and when does a court go too far in assigning a punishment for a crime? Continue reading “What is Cruel and Unusual Punishment?”
Reasons You Should (or Should Not) Take a Plea Deal
Getting arrested for a crime is one of the most stressful things that can happen to someone, and the possibility of going to prison is terrifying for most people. That’s why, when many people are offered a relatively lenient plea deal, especially one that promises to keep them out of prison, they’re eager to jump on it. However, there are several reasons why you should stop to consider your options before you plead to the charges against you. Continue reading “Reasons You Should (or Should Not) Take a Plea Deal”
The Benefits and Risks of Facial Recognition Technology
Police departments around the country, including in New York, have increasingly embraced new technology to identify suspects and solve previously unsolvable crimes. Foremost among these new technologies is facial recognition, which can take an image from a photograph or video and use it to identify a person with startling accuracy. However, the technology is not without its detractors, and many people criticize the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement for both moral and practical reasons. Continue reading “The Benefits and Risks of Facial Recognition Technology”
Accused Bank Robber on the Run After Being Improperly Assigned Bail
An accused bank robber from Nassau County is on the run after being released from jail when it was determined he was improperly assigned bail. The defendant was initially held on $10,000 bail, but it was overturned on appeal, resulting in him being released to the public. The incident is a test case of New York’s new controversial bail reforms, which made it illegal to assign bail for most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. Continue reading “Accused Bank Robber on the Run After Being Improperly Assigned Bail”
The Hidden Cost of Asset Forfeiture in Criminal Cases
The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution states “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” While it is most commonly brought up in the context of the death penalty and the prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, the Eighth Amendment is also hotly debated in criminal law, particularly when it comes to defining what constitutes “excessive” bail or fines. And nowhere is this more contested than in the area of asset forfeiture. Continue reading “The Hidden Cost of Asset Forfeiture in Criminal Cases”
NY AG Investigating NYPD for Discrimination in Fare Evasion Cases
New York Attorney General Letitia Jones has announced an investigation into the New York Police Department (NYPD) for alleged discrimination against people of color, targeting them for subway fare evasion. The investigation comes after several videos spread on social media showing NYPD officers engaging in aggressive tactics to arrest turnstile jumpers, sparking public outrage. The NYPD, for its part, denies any wrongdoing, stating it is merely attempting to protect New Yorkers, regardless of their race. Continue reading “NY AG Investigating NYPD for Discrimination in Fare Evasion Cases”
DWI Convictions and their Potential Consequences
Being arrested on a driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge can be a life-changing event, even before you face the possibility of a plea or conviction at trial. Aside from facing the risk of imprisonment or fines, there are numerous possible consequences that can arise as a result of a DWI conviction. And if you’re facing down a DWI charge, it’s important to know what will happen if you plead guilty or get convicted at trial. Continue reading “DWI Convictions and their Potential Consequences”
NY Criminal Justice Reforms See Pushback from Prosecutors, Police
This summer, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a package of reforms into law that are set to radically alter how the criminal justice system functions throughout the state. While criminal justice advocates were pleased with the reforms that were passed, some, including several politicians and law enforcement representatives, are more critical of the reforms. Some even hope to have the reforms stopped from going into effect, which is scheduled to happen on January 1, 2020. Continue reading “NY Criminal Justice Reforms See Pushback from Prosecutors, Police”
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