Legislation Archives | Pappalardo & Pappalardo LLP

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...

Will Marijuana Be Legalized in New York?

New York is often considered one of the most liberal states in the United States. Yet in 2019, it still has laws prohibiting the possession of marijuana. New York's governor has proposed changes to th...

New York’s Criminal Discovery Laws May Soon Be Changing

There are only ten states in the US where prosecutors can withhold basic evidence from the defendant until the day a trial begins. New York is one of those states. With the start of the new legislativ...

Does “Raise the Age” Legislation Do More Harm Than Good?

In 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law legislation raising the age of criminal responsibility in the state of New York. The new laws affect many, as nearly 28,000 juvenile offenders in New Yor...

How to Lower Your SORA Sex Offender Registration Level

When a person convicted of a sex offense is sentenced, or when that person is released from prison, there will be a hearing to determine his or her level of registration pursuant to the Sex Offender R...

When Your License Gets Suspended for Non-Driving Violations

Many of us need to drive to get to work, take care of our children, or attend school. However, there is no absolute right to drive in the state of New York - it is considered a privilege, and you can...

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...

New York’s Governor Signs Bill Creating Nation’s First Commission to Investigate Prosecutorial Misconduct

On August 21, 2018, New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation establishing the State Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct. The Commission will be the first of its kind in the nation, and it i...

Asset Forfeiture in New York: How Law Enforcement Can Take Your Personal and Real Property

You may have seen the billboards in and around New York City – if you’re arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, the NYPD says it will take your car. Can this be true? Yes, it is, and you’ll need a go...

Sex Offender Registration Laws Are Outdated and Need Changing for Child Pornography Offenses

In New York, persons convicted of certain sexual offenses are required to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act, also referred to as "SORA" or "Megan's Law." The primary way a court determi...

New York Has a New Law Requiring Videotaping of Certain Interrogations

As of April 1, 2018, law enforcement in New York must now electronically record custodial interrogations with individuals accused of serious crimes. The law was passed with its purpose being to elimin...

Getting Arrested When You Are a New York Pistol License Holder

One of the consequences of being arrested in New York is that even if your arrest doesn’t result in a criminal conviction, you may lose your New York issued pistol license. Many criminal defense attor...

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