Westchester New York Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

COVID-19 (Coronavirus): Our Response to the Local, State, and National Emergency

First and foremost, from all of us here at Pappalardo & Pappalardo, we want to wish you health and safety during this difficult time. Given the state of things, we are closely monitoring the situa...

Consent in Sex Crime Cases: What Is the Law in New York State?

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Consent to sexual activity is being talked about more than ever. The #metoo movement has highlighted how it was often ignored in social and work environments. But what does...

The Trial of Harvey Weinstein – What Really Happened?

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Harvey Weinstein was at the top of his game as a Hollywood producer when women began making accusations. Specifically, they allege he committed sexual harassment and sexual...

Elder Abuse Criminal Charges in New York

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Elder abuse is common – it is estimated that 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 have experienced it. Further, those who have been abused have a 300% higher risk of death....

Protective Orders in Criminal Prosecutions in New York

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. A protective order is an order that prevents the disclosure of certain information under certain circumstances. In New York criminal prosecutions, protective orders are bei...

Passport Identifier Required for Registered Child Sex Offenders

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Beginning in 2017, the U.S. Department of State began labeling the passports of some people convicted of sex crimes. Any registrant convicted of a sex offense involving a m...

Aggravating Factors in New York DWI Cases

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. If you've been arrested for Driving While Intoxicated ("DWI") or any alcohol- or drugged-driving offense, you may already be wondering what the possible punishment will be....

New York City Art and Education Event on Registry Laws

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. This month, the Drawing Center in NYC will host events which explore the intersection between art and criminal justice. "Our Fellow Americans: A Symposium on Public Convict...

New York’s Laws on Kidnapping and Unlawful Imprisonment

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Kidnapping cases often appear front and center in the news. Yet the legal definition is often much different from public perception. It is not just the unknown abductor tak...

Criminal Contempt & Violations of Orders of Protection in New York

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Criminal contempt is a crime taken very seriously by both prosecutors and judges. Many times, it involves a defendant alleged to have contacted a victim of their previous c...

Opinion: Why We Needed Bail Reform

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. Beginning J...

Controlled Calls and Their Use by Police in Investigating Crimes

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. 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...