High Profile Cases Archives | Pappalardo & Pappalardo LLP

Controlled Calls and Their Use by Police in Investigating Crimes

A man and a woman meet – either in a bar, through a friend, or on a dating app. After a couple of dates, the man and woman engage in sexual intercourse. But afterwards, the woman disappears. She won’t...

CBD and the Cannabis Plant – What’s Legal, and What’s Not

It can relieve anxiety and depression. It helps you sleep. It’s sold in oils, sprays, and even lollipops. CBD, a chemical derived from the cannabis plant, seems to be everywhere. But what exactly is C...

New York’s ‘Red Flag’ Law: Extreme Risk Protection Orders to Remove Guns

In August of 2019, New York’s “red flag” law went into effect. The law allows a court to issue an Extreme Risk Protection Order (“ERPO”). An ERPO prevents those who show signs of being a risk to thems...

Assault of a Police Officer – a Serious Felony Offense in New York

Police officers protect our communities. While doing their job, they can become injured – sometimes because of the actions of those they are trying to arrest. And when a defendant is arrested for assa...

Wrongful Conviction Film Shows Effects of Fabricated Charges

In August of 2019, the film Brian Banks was released. It portrays the true story of Brian Banks, whose wrongful conviction nearly destroyed his dream of playing in the NFL. Wrongful Conviction &...

Hate Crimes in New York – What You Need to Know

Hate crimes are frequently talked about in the news. And in some cases, bias intent coupled with violence has led to serious injuries or even death. Such hate crimes are punished more harshly under fe...

Loitering in New York – Are Cops Targeting Certain Populations?

“No Loitering” is a sign one often sees on private property. Anyone staying on private property can be charged with trespass or more serious crimes. However, loitering refers to remaining in a publ...

Calls Recorded By Jails Can Be Used By Prosecutors

If you’ve ever received calls from someone in jail or prison, you’ve likely heard a recording prior to accepting the call. And it usually states that the phone call will be monitored and recorded....

False Confessions: Do They Really Happen?

Many people assert they would never admit to something they hadn’t done. And they believe that anyone who confesses to a crime must be guilty. The reality of false confessions, however, is much more c...

Kendra’s Law – Getting Mental Health Treatment for Those Leaving Prison

Not everyone with a serious mental illness needs to be committed to a psychiatric facility. In fact, many (if not most) people with serious mental illness can function well in their communities with t...

Court of Appeals Rules There’s No “Actual Innocence” Claim For Those Who Plead Guilty

Most cases in the criminal justice system are resolved by guilty pleas rather than trials. Usually, it is to the benefit of both the prosecution and the defendant to resolve cases this way. The prosec...

How Stealing an Amazon Package Can Lead to Federal Charges

After hours of shopping in stores and online, you find the perfect gift for your spouse on Amazon. You order the gift and, on the day of its anticipated delivery, you excitedly watch your phone for co...

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