The Stages of a New York Criminal Case
By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. If you have been arrested in New York, you are at the beginning of what could be a long journey through the criminal justice system. Here, we discuss the steps that most cr...
What to Look for When Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney
By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. When you get arrested or are being investigated for a crime, one of the first concerns you may have is who will be representing you in court. If you don't know a lawyer, it...
Pappalardo Firm Successful in SORA Modification Petition in Westchester
By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. On October 23, Pappalardo & Pappalardo was successful in having the SORA sex offender risk level modified for client J.M. J.M. has been dutifully registering for more t...
Not Guilty Verdict in Trial of DWAI Issued at Check Point
By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. The attorneys at Pappalardo & Pappalardo secured a not guilty verdict after trial for client A.H., who had been charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol (...
The Basics of Handling a New York Criminal Appeal
By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. As a follow-up to our recent post about the basics of New York's criminal justice system, here we'll provide a brief overview of what happens when you appeal a criminal con...
How to Lower Your SORA Sex Offender Registration Level
By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. 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 pu...
The Basics of the New York Criminal Justice System
By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. If you’re being investigated for a crime, or even if you’ve already been arrested, you may have some questions about how the criminal justice system in New York works. Unde...
Court of Appeals Rules There’s No “Actual Innocence” Claim For Those Who Plead Guilty
By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Most cases in the criminal justice system are resolved by guilty pleas rather than trials. Usually, it is to the benefit of both the prosecution and the defendant to resolv...
Sex Offender Registration Laws Are Outdated and Need Changing for Child Pornography Offenses
By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. 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...
Use of Jailhouse Informants and Recorded Calls in Criminal Prosecutions
By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. When you get arrested, you may want to talk to anyone who will listen about your case and your experience with the criminal justice system. However, if you’re in custody, e...
New York Has a New Law Requiring Videotaping of Certain Interrogations
By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. 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...
What to Do When the Prosecutor Questions the Source of the Funds Used for Bail
By Jill K. Sanders, Esq. Your first appearance in court is important for many reasons. For the defendant, one of the primary concerns is whether the judge will set bail and how much the bail will b...