Posted on June 10,2022 in Criminal Defense

Last month, Governor Ned Lamont signed into law Public Act 22-9, a new law that – among other things – will ensure the ability of the Connecticut State Police’s Hate Crime Investigative Unit will have the tools the unit needs to continue its work. The unit was originally established in October 2021 but was never codified into law.

Along with codifying the unit into law, the law also requires the state to develop a reporting system and best practices, and a model of the investigation policy that law enforcement should use when investigating hate crimes. The law also places time requirements which state that law enforcement has to report hate crimes to the CSP Hate Crimes Investigative Unit, and designates the head of the unit to sit on the State-Wide Hate Crimes Advisory Council.

Hate Crime Investigative Unit

The Hate Crime Investigative Unit is responsible for investigating crimes that are based on bias or bigotry against people based on the following:

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 Posted on May 27,2022 in Real Estate Law

When someone applies for a mortgage to purchase a home, one of the requirements the mortgage company has is that there be no issues regarding the deed to the property. In order to ensure this, the mortgage company (or the buyer) will hire a title company to do a title search to confirm the legal ownership and to make sure there are no liens on the property.

Liens are legal claims or rights that are placed on a property by a creditor. The lien gives the creditor stake in the property if the property is sold. The problem for the property owner, however, is the property cannot be sold unless the lien is lifted.

While some liens are expected and accepted – such as the lien a mortgage company places on the property when they grant a mortgage – there are other liens that are not acceptable. The following is an overview of the different types of liens that could be found in a title search.

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 Posted on May 24,2022 in Criminal Defense

Several years ago, a well-known NFL football player was arrested for child abuse because he used a tree branch as a switch to discipline his then four-year-old son. The man claimed he never intended to abuse or harm his son and was only disciplining him in the same manner his parents disciplined him when he was a child. But prosecutors said that by using a tree branch and hitting his son multiple times, the player’s actions went beyond mere discipline and were abusive. The case caused a national debate about what type of acts crosses the line between discipline and abuse.

Player Charged

According to prosecutors in the above case, the boy suffered bruises and cuts all over his body. The player was charged with felony child abuse. He eventually pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of misdemeanor assault and received two years’ probation, a fine of $4,000, and was ordered to perform 80 hours of community service. He was also suspended from the NFL for one year. Four years later, in an interview, the player admitted to sometimes using a belt to discipline the boy.

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 Posted on May 17,2022 in Criminal Defense

When a person is convicted of a crime, there may be grounds to have that conviction overturned. This can happen if there were errors made during the original trial and they are granted an appeal. If you have been convicted, contact a criminal defense attorney to find out if your case may be eligible for the appeal process.

Filing an Appeal

There are several ways a convicted person can appeal a court’s verdict. The defendant can file a motion to request the trial judge overturn the jury’s guilty verdict and enter a new verdict of not guilty. This is referred to as judgement notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV).

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 Posted on May 09,2022 in Criminal Defense

Reckless driving can be defined as the act of operating a vehicle in a manner that shows a wanton or willful disregard for the safety and well-being of any person or property. When a person is charged with reckless driving, it is because the police officer believes that not only did the driver choose to operate their vehicle in a dangerous manner, but they did also so despite the dangerous risks that behavior created.

In Connecticut, reckless driving is charged as a misdemeanor, not as a traffic violation. This means that the driver will be arrested and the case will be handled in the criminal court system. It also means that a conviction will become part of the driver’s criminal record.

What Are the Most Common Types of Reckless Driving Violations?

While there are a myriad of behaviors that fall into this category, some of the more common acts that can result in reckless driving charges:

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 Posted on April 28,2022 in Real Estate Law

One of the most significant financial transactions that a person makes in their lifetime involves the sale or purchase of a home. Because of the all the legalities – and money – involved, anyone who is buying or selling a home should consult with a qualified real estate lawyer who will look out for their best interest and walk them throughout the process. Your lawyer will make sure that your interests are protected as they help guide the transaction as efficiently and smoothly as possible.

Signing Real Estate Contracts

Whether you are purchasing a home or selling a home, at some point you in this process, you will be asked by the real estate agent you are dealing with to sign a contract. This contract will stipulate either what your obligations are as the buyer or what they are as the seller.

No matter what side of the sale you are on, make sure you consult with a and attorney who specializes in residential real estate law to ensure that the contract serves your best interest. Some of the issues the attorney will evaluate is how long the contract is in place and what type of commission the agent will earn. Your attorney can be with you from the initial offer of the home all the way to the day of closing, making sure you understand all of your rights, as well as what your obligations are.

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 Posted on April 22,2022 in Criminal Defense

When a person is charged with a crime, they will either be convicted of the crime, found not guilty, make a plea agreement with the prosecutor, or the charges will be dropped with no further action.

For those individuals who end up having that conviction on their record, there can be serious ramifications that could have a detrimental impact on their future. In certain situations, the person may be able to have the incident stricken from their criminal record. In Connecticut, this is referred to as an expungement or absolute pardon.

Automatic Expungement of a Criminal Record

A popular misconception is that a criminal record only comes into existence upon a conviction, when in reality, a person who has been arrested but not convicted, or arrested and charged but found not guilty, also has a criminal record.

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 Posted on April 11,2022 in Criminal Defense

It is not uncommon to turn on the news and hear a report about an incident of workplace violence or reports of toxic work environments that have led to lawsuits and more. No matter what position a person holds in a company, acting out at work can not only result in termination but could also leave you facing criminal charges. If you have been charged with assault or other workplace violence, contact a Stamford defense attorney right away.

Criminal Charges Due to Workplace Threats or Acts of Violence

According to national statistics, more than 20,000 workers in private business industry were victims of nonfatal workplace violence in 2020. Many of these victims required days away from work. More than 20 percent of these victims required a month or more off from work while they recovered from their injuries.

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 Posted on April 06,2022 in Criminal Defense

Unfortunately, arguments between spouses can escalate into threats and acts of physical violence. Depending on the circumstances and statements from witnesses and/or the alleged victim, a spouse in this situation could end up facing serious criminal charges. What many people may not realize is that just the threat of physical violence – even if none occurred – can be charged as domestic violence under Connecticut law.

Domestic Violence Charges in Connecticut

Under Connecticut law, it is considered domestic or family violence is a person threatens, stalks, or physically assaults a member of their household, family, or someone they have dated. This includes:

• A spouse or former spouse

• Parents

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 Posted on March 25,2022 in Real Estate Law

There is no doubt that the real estate market in Connecticut and across the country has been booming over the past year or so. With so many homeowners putting up “for sale” signs on their front lawns, many people are quickly making the move to upgrade from where they currently reside. A lot of these buyers find themselves making offers on a new home before their current home has sold in order not to lose their chance at the new home. Homebuyers who are in this situation can have a “home sale contingency” clause added to their purchase and sale agreement. This clause voids the agreement for the sale of the new home in the event the buyer is unable to sell their current one.

Types of Home Sale Contingencies

There are two types of home sale contingencies clauses, sale and settlement contingency or settlement contingency.

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