criminal justice reform Archives - Pappalardo & Pappalardo LLP

Are HIV Criminalization Laws Outdated and Discriminatory?

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. In 1981, doctors first observed Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV), the virus which causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Over the next two decades, HIV- and...

The STOP CSAM Act – Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation Online

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. From 2012 to 2022, the number of reports concerning child sexual exploitation to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s (“NCMEC”) CyberTipline increased...

“Rape is Rape”: New Rape Laws Coming to New York

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. In January, the Governor signed new legislation, which updates the definition of rape under New York State law. Pursuant to the new rape laws, penetration will no longer be...

The Equality Model – New Prostitution Laws May Be Coming to the US

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. In most places in the US, prostitution and patronizing a sex worker are crimes that can carry serious penalties, including jail and prison. Back in 2021, we posted a blog a...

New York’s Clean Slate Act Has Been Signed into Law

PLEASE NOTE: Our office has received a number of calls regarding the Clean Slate Act. The law is not yet in effect. While the Clean Slate Act has been signed into law, it will not go into effect until...

Understanding the Mental Health Courts in NYS

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. In recognition that some of those involved in the criminal legal system have specific needs, New York has several problem-solving courts. These courts provide special servi...

Qualified Immunity – When Public Officials Are Sued

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Those who have been wronged by the state or its officials have the right to hold government officials accountable through civil lawsuits. Yet through case law, courts have...

NYC Says It Is “Cracking Down” on Retail Theft

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. You’ve probably read about it in the news – in recent years, there’s been a reported increase retail theft in New York. According to some, the increase can be attributed to...

When an Innocent Person Accepts a Plea Bargain

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Getting arrested and charged with a crime can be one of the scariest things to happen to a person. But what if that person is truly, factually innocent of the crime? When f...

Opinion: New Report on Discovery Reform is Just Propaganda

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. The views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the writer only. They are not necessarily the views of the law firm or any of its attorneys. Last week,...

More Crime Victims in NY Now Eligible for Funds and Services

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. New York’s Office of Victim Services (“OVS”) has been around since 1966. Specifically, this state agency funds and supports victim assistance programs throughout the state...

Voting in New York With a Felony Record

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. When a person has lost the right to vote, this is called “disenfranchisement.” In the United States, an estimated 4.6 million citizens are barred from voting due to a felon...

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