Westchester New York Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

Client’s Rights: What Defendants Should Expect From Their Attorneys

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. If you’re facing criminal charges, one of the most important relationships you have is that with your lawyer. But what if he doesn’t return your calls? If she doesn’t expla...

The Trial Penalty: Why Criminal Defendants Often Take a Plea Bargain

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Most criminal cases in today’s legal system are resolved by the defendant entering a guilty plea rather than by trial. Why? Because if a defendant goes to trial and is foun...

New York Pistol Carry Law to be Considered by US Supreme Court

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. In New York, you must have a pistol carry permit to possess a handgun in public. Yet a showing of “proper cause” to obtain the license is required. Just wanting a gun for s...

Criminal Legal Responsibility: When an Adolescent Commits a Crime

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. An adolescent is less likely to appreciate the consequences of his/her actions. While this isn’t an excuse for their behavior, it does raise the question about what the app...

Fake Covid-19 Vaccination Cards: How It Could Land You In Jail

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Many people are now fully vaccinated against the coronavirus (covid-19). However, those in law enforcement have warned about the uptick in people producing or possessing fa...

Property Crimes in New York – Does the Punishment Fit the Offense?

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Property crimes are among the most common offenses in the criminal legal system. This includes theft of items and damaging another person’s belongings. Such crimes are non-...

Local Rule on Traffic Tickets Is Improper, Court of Appeals Holds

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. In New York, there are various levels of courts – local courts, supreme courts, appellate courts, and the Court of Appeals. The holdings by these courts develop into local...

HALT – New York Will Reform Its Use of Solitary Confinement

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. In New York, legislators have been working for years to pass the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act (“the HALT Act”). Finally, the legislation has be...

Marijuana Legalization Bill Signed Into Law in New York

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. New York previously considered the legalization of recreational marijuana. And in 2019, laws went into effect which decriminalized the drug. Yet possessing small amounts of...

Common Child Custody Issues After an Agreement Is Reached

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Child custody cases can be complicated. Not only that, when custody is at issue, emotions are running high. As such, parents often are unable to come to an agreement about...

Domestic Violence and Coronavirus: A Recipe for Potential Disaster

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Across the country, citizens have been under stay-at-home orders due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Even now that pandemic restrictions are being lifted, some are sti...

Death of George Floyd: What Is the Police Officer Charged With?

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. In May of 2020, the United States saw protests and riots after George Floyd died while being arrested by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In a widely-circulated video, as...