Posted on November 13,2015 in Criminal Defense

Suggested overhauls on the prison system are sweeping the nation, with some proposing reforms to sentencing and others suggesting changes in parole options. In Connecticut, Governor Dannel P. Malloy is taking a different approach by calling for a change to the state’s bail system for charged but not convicted prisoners.

Connecticut Already Ahead of the Curve

While many states have only just started to consider reform for nonviolent offenders, Governor Malloy has already passed a Second Chance initiative. Designed to reduce penalties for many drug offenders, the bill is aimed at successfully reintegrating nonviolent offenders back into society where they can potentially become productive workers. But the Governor is not satisfied just yet; to truly make an impact on the state’s economic state, he wants to change the bail system for prisoners awaiting sentencing.

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 Posted on November 06,2015 in Juvenile Crimes

In the early 1990s, the juvenile justice system was at its worst. Adolescents, many as young as 16, were being tried as adults, and even those that were not lived in overcrowded, unsanitary facilities that were harsh and overly punitive. Thankfully, the system has learned a lot about juvenile crime over the years, and has responded in a positive way. But there is still more to be done. A recent meeting in Washington D.C., attended by New Haven’s police chief, may be an important step to making those changes happen.

Former Issues Within the Juvenile Justice System

Of all the states in the U.S., Connecticut had probably one of the worst juvenile justice divisions. Teens were routinely arrested and locked into unsafe facilities with little to no hope of rehabilitation or treatment. Many were never even accused, let alone convicted of serious crimes, and 16- and 17-year-olds were tried in adult courts with open records and placed in adult prisons. In effect, the Connecticut juvenile justice system was flooded with uneducated teens that were unlikely to ever find productive jobs or become contributing members of society.

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 Posted on October 29,2015 in Sex Crimes

The issue of sexual assault on college campuses has been blown out of the shadows in recent years with several high-profile cases. In April of this year, Vice President Joe Biden spoke to the successes that college communities have had in recent years in curbing the number of sexual assaults, but noted that there was far more work to do.

While in past years, statistics and reports often found that students who were accused of sexual assault faced little to no reprimand by university authorities — while the lives of victims were often thrown into psychological and social upheaval — according to research in 2015, the pendulum may be swinging too far the other way. That is, in an effort to stay out of headlines and attack the issue of sexual assault head on, some university authorities have begun to take accusations of sexual assault as fact, without doing due diligence to back up these accusations. And the accused often faces severe punishments without fair investigation.

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 Posted on October 22,2015 in Criminal Defense

Casinos have long been touted as dangerous to a community for the rise in crime with which they are associated in surrounding areas. Casinos are also associated with a rise in tourism and employment opportunities, so most communities tend to vote in favor of their construction and take the risk.

Some studies show that the ratio of available jobs to area adult residents increased by as much as 5 percent. Yet other studies show that the presence of casinos is also associated with an increase in area substance abuse, mental illness, violent crime, theft, bankruptcy, and even increasing suicide rates. Some communities report a 10 percent increase in larceny, bankruptcy, and auto theft after an area casino opened.

It was more than 20 years ago that communities of Connecticut decided to take this risk, and the past two decades have shown that Connecticut may be the exception when it comes to these statistics. In fact, crime rates have decidedly fallen since two of the state’s largest casinos — Foxwoods Resort and Mohegan Sun — opened.

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 Posted on October 15,2015 in Driving Under the Influence

Drunk driving in Connecticut is not worth the cost, or the risk. Sadly, the percentage of Connecticut drivers who admit to driving after drinking too much is still higher than the national average. Even more concerning is that an alarming number of parents get behind the wheel, drunk, with their children in the car. Whether they are aware of it or not, this could lead to additional charges, regardless of there not being an official law covering driving under the influence with minor passengers.

Even at First Offense, DUI Laws Are Costly

Connecticut has cracked down on drunk driving over the years; now, even on a first DUI offense, your license can be suspended and you may spend anywhere from six months to a year with an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on your vehicle. Each additional offense increases the level of consequences, and if you are charged enough, you could face serious criminal charges.

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 Posted on October 09,2015 in Sex Crimes

Youth in every society, from the beginning of time, have pushed boundaries, and explored their sexuality. Today’s teenagers are no different. But, the consequences of their actions can now be recorded and distributed through smart phones and published on the web for the world to see. Connecticut has developed a set of laws to deal specifically with youth under age 18 who engage in sexting.

Sexting and Child Pornography

The law in Connecticut makes it illegal for anyone under 18 and at least 13 years old to possess or transmit sexually explicit images, through a computer or mobile phone, of anyone between the ages of 13 and 16 years old. Here are some examples of how the law works:

• A 17-year old takes naked picture of her 15 year old boyfriend with her phone. She has committed a crime.

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 Posted on September 25,2015 in White Collar Crimes

One of the biggest challenges lawmakers face is trying to write laws that keep pace with the rapid advancement of technology. Connecticut has several different computer crimes on the books. Unfortunately, these laws are often written and interpreted broadly, sweeping up some people who may never have thought of themselves as criminals.

The five major computer crimes are:

1. Unauthorized access to a computer system;
2. Theft of computer services;
3. Interruption of computer services;
4. Misuse of computer system information; and
5. Destruction of computer equipment

Unauthorized Access to a Computer System

You have committed this crime if you have knowingly accessed any computer or computer system, when you knew you didn’t have authority to do so. This could include everything from stealing passwords to a computer or a computer program. If you hack into the email of your spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend, you may have committed the crime of unauthorized access to a computer system.

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 Posted on September 17,2015 in Theft and Property Crimes

As long as there has been civilization, there has been graffiti. Whether it is scratching initials into a desk or painting an entire mural on the wall of the local school, people are always looking for new ways to leave their mark on their hometown. However, graffiti is considered a property crime and can lead to serious penalties if police catch you. Budding street artists in Connecticut are finding this out the hard way.

Earlier this year, a group of graffiti artists were arrested after their identities were revealed on Instagram. They are now facing possible jail time after defacing property worth upward of $12,000.

The Potential Consequences of a Conviction

Graffiti is classified as criminal mischief in Connecticut, and the penalties vary depending on the seriousness of each case. If you were charged with first-degree criminal mischief, which is considered a felony, it is because:

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 Posted on September 10,2015 in Drug Charges

In Connecticut, if police catch you in possession of an illegal substance, chances are you will face drug charges. These can come with steep fines and even time behind bars. However, many people are not aware that if police arrest you for possessing drug paraphernalia, such as a pipe, you may also face severe penalties.

According to Connecticut law, it is illegal for anyone to be in possession of drug paraphernalia with the intention of using it for any of several listed drug-related purposes, which can range from growing or preparing to ingesting or inhaling controlled substances.

Several items are classified as “paraphernalia,” such as:

• Kits intended to be used for planting, cultivating, growing, propagating, or harvesting marijuana plants or other plants from which a controlled substance can be derived;
• Testing equipment used for analyzing the strength, purity, or effectiveness of a controlled substance;

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 Posted on September 03,2015 in Traffic Violations

The consequences of a speeding ticket extend beyond the fines and possible court appearance. Another potential penalty is a driver’s license suspension.

According to the Connecticut Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, if you plead guilty to four unsafe moving violations within two years, then your license will be suspended. It is important to note, however, that receiving a fine and pleading guilty to a violation are not the same.

In Connecticut, drivers can “plead guilty” by mailing in the citation with a payment for the fine. The DMV can suspend your license if you do this four times. It is therefore important to consult a lawyer before sending in your ticket with a guilty plea.

What Constitutes an “Unsafe Moving Violation?”

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