clean-slate-act

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...
mental health courts

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...
task-force

NYS Announces New Judicial Task Force on Mental Illness

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. New York has had mental health courts for more than two decades. In this type of treatment court, individuals living with mental illness can be linking with court-supervise...
auto-thefts

Auto Thefts on the Rise in New York, Across the Country

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. It’s Monday morning, and you wake up to go to work. Before you leave the house, you grab the keys to your Hyundai. You expect to find where you left it last night – parked...
artificial-intelligence-scams

Artificial Intelligence Scams Are on the Rise

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Artificial intelligence (“AI”) refers to the technological ability of a machine or software to “think.” You may not realize it, but you likely use it almost every day. Did...
qualified-immunity

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...
stun-belts

Use of Stun Belts by New York Corrections Officers

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Corrections officers provide a necessary service to manage those accused of or convicted of crimes who are in custody. To that end, officers may need to use various forms o...
swatting

Swatting May Become a Felony Offense in New York

By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. When a false report of a crime is made, this can result in criminal charges against the reporting person. If a person makes a report intending to get a large police respons...