prosecutor Archives - Pappalardo & Pappalardo LLP

The Grand Jury and Its Role in the NY Criminal Legal System

The term petit jury refers to the jurors who determine a defendant’s guilt or innocence. In contrast, a grand jury is a larger group of jurors that determine whether there is cause to pursue felony ch...

Proffer in a Criminal Prosecution: A Negotiation Tactic

In the criminal legal world, the word proffer takes on a special meaning. It refers to a meeting between the defendant, his attorneys, and the prosecution. During this session, the defendant can expla...

The Trial Penalty: Why Criminal Defendants Often Take a Plea Bargain

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 found guilty, he/she will likely...

Repeal of Section 50-a: Disclosure of Police Disciplinary Records

On Friday, June 12, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation repealing a law which prevented the disclosure of law enforcement disciplinary records to the public. What records were not previo...

New York’s Governor Signs Bill Creating Nation’s First Commission to Investigate Prosecutorial Misconduct

On August 21, 2018, New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation establishing the State Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct. The Commission will be the first of its kind in the nation, and it i...

New York Has a New Law Requiring Videotaping of Certain Interrogations

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 its purpose being to elimin...

New York’s Chief Judge Calls on Courts to Order Prosecutors to Turn Over Information Favorable to Defense

On November 7, 2017, New York’s Chief Judge Janet DiFiore directed all judges presiding over criminal matters to order prosecutors to turn over materially exculpatory evidence within a certain time pe...