Appeals Archives - Pappalardo & Pappalardo LLP

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...

Using New York’s Online Docket Search & Filing Websites

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. When you have a case pending, it can be difficult to keep up with its status. Keeping track of court dates, organizing documents – the task can be overwhelming. In New York...

What Makes a Competent Witness in a Criminal Prosecution?

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. When a person is on trial for a crime, the only evidence the jury can consider is competent evidence. This is evidence which is admissible, material, and relevant. When it...

Predicate Felony Sentencing in New York Criminal Courts

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. When it comes to sentencing, a person’s criminal history matters. If a person has prior convictions – whether for violations, misdemeanors, or felonies – the prosecutor and...

Sexually Motivated Felony Charges in NY

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. When a crime has been committed but is not a sex offense, there may have been a sexual motivation. In New York, such can be charged as a “sexually motivated felony.” When t...

NY’s Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. An allegation of child abuse or maltreatment can lead not only to criminal charges. Such can lead to a parallel investigation by a child protective agency. If they determin...

A Criminal Defendant’s Waiver of the Right to a Trial by Jury

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. In criminal cases in New York, a defendant enjoys a right to a trial by jury. This right is protected by both the U.S. Constitution as well as the New York State Constituti...

Traffic Stops and Pat-Down Searches by Police in New York

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. You’ve been pulled over by a police officer. It's just for a traffic violation – your taillight is out, you moved out of a lane without signaling, or some other minor infra...

Clemency in New York: Pardons, Commutations, and Restoration of Rights

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Many people have heard of the President of the United States granting clemency. But individual state Governors can grant pardons as well. Here, we discuss the difference be...

No “Community Caretaking” Exception to Search of Home Without Warrant

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. The Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution states, “The right of the people to be secure in their… houses… against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated...

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...

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