Posted on August 26,2015 in Domestic Violence

Although each case of domestic abuse is unique, they all have one factor in common: Facing domestic violence charges is one of the most stressful and overwhelming experiences of the defendant’s life. Restraining and protective orders can reflect poorly on your record, and you might even face jail time if convicted. Fortunately, all defendants are innocent until proven guilty, and an experienced domestic abuse attorney can assess your case, explain your rights, and represent your interests in court.

If you are facing domestic violence charges, you probably have many questions and concerns. Here are three FAQs about domestic abuse:

Is There a Difference between Protective and Restraining Orders?

Protective and restraining orders are common solutions for those trying to put a legal barrier between themselves and their alleged abusers. Many are not aware, however, that there are some differences between the two.

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 Posted on August 14,2015 in Criminal Defense

A case that Stamford police are calling one of the most grim they can remember has ended with a manslaughter plea, according to the Stamford Advocate. A man arrested for the homicide and sexual assault of an infant pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and risk of injury to a child, and is scheduled to be sentenced to 14 years in prison with six years of parole. The baby was a victim of shaken baby syndrome, in which brain damage, retinal damage, and bone fractures can be caused by violent shaking, especially when an infant’s head is whipped back and forth or from side to side.

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is a diagnosis that first made national news in 1997, when a British au pair was tried for the murder of a Massachusetts infant. As far back as that, a determined group of skeptics started research, unwilling to believe that a human was truly capable of shaking a baby to death.

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 Posted on August 07,2015 in Criminal Defense

Many crime shows today revolve around the theme of internet predators. With the popularity of social media, the reality of online solicitation of minors is growing as children and young adults frequently use the Internet and social media in their everyday lives, raising concerns about the potential for sexual predator crimes.

In the state of Connecticut, online solicitation of a minor is defined as using a computer service that is interactive to coerce a person less than 16 years of age. If you know that the person you are talking to is under 16, and you attempt to entice them into prostitution or sexual acts, you can be charged with a criminal offense.

Solicitation of a minor is a class D felony in the state of Connecticut. A first offense through a computer network (online solicitation) is a class C felony, and the second offense through a computer network is a class B felony.

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 Posted on July 28,2015 in Criminal Defense

The problem of underage drinking is rampant everywhere, and Connecticut is no exception. Use of alcohol by minors often leads to the commission of more serious crimes.

Connecticut law provides stiff penalties for minors who purchase or possess alcohol. In addition to fines and possibly jail time, penalties include driver’s license suspensions or a delay in obtaining a driver’s license.

Alcohol Possession

Possession of alcohol by individuals under the age of 21 is an infraction for which the fine is $200 to $500. The Department of Motor Vehicles will suspend the driver’s license of any minor convicted of alcohol possession for 30 days if the minor possessed alcohol on a public street or highway or 60 days if the minor possessed alcohol in any other public or private location.

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 Posted on July 22,2015 in Criminal Defense

Most Americans make an honest effort to follow the laws and encourage others to do the same. However, people sometimes make mistakes that can lead to either misdemeanor or felony charges.

No matter what type of charges you face, the advice of a criminal defense attorney may prove invaluable. Even misdemeanor offenses can remain on your record, which can compromise your employment opportunities and ability to acquire grants for school.

Many people understand that felonies are typically more serious than misdemeanors. Unfortunately, this has led to the misconception that misdemeanor charges are not a big deal. This article will explain why it is important to have a solid legal defense if you are facing misdemeanor charges.

Can I Go to Jail for Committing a Misdemeanor Offense?

Different misdemeanor offenses can vary greatly in terms of the penalties. A class A misdemeanor conviction may come with up to one year in jail, according to the Connecticut General Assembly. Even the lighter charge of a class C misdemeanor can result in one month in jail. In addition to potential jail time, a misdemeanor conviction may result in a fine of up to $2,500.

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 Posted on July 14,2015 in Juvenile Crimes

When your teen faces charges for illegal actions, a million thoughts can race through your mind. You may wonder how these charges could affect your child’s future, and you likely have questions about effective defense strategies.

Juvenile criminal charges can severely compromise a teen’s opportunities, which is why it is critical that parents consult a juvenile criminal attorney for advice. A lawyer can assess the case and attempt to devise a strong defense strategy that reduces penalties or potentially convinces the court to drop the charges.

According to the Connecticut Judicial Branch, anyone under the age of 18 who has broken a federal or state law will normally be tried for a delinquent act—not for a criminal offense. It is important to keep in mind, however, that there are exceptions to this rule depending on the severity of the crime, especially in regard to major felonies.

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 Posted on July 07,2015 in Driving Under the Influence

As is common with many other areas of the law, alcohol-related driving offenses are susceptible to a number of popular myths. Many of these fabrications not only are false, but they also can land you in a lot of trouble if you believe them. All drivers should be aware of the laws of the road, and DUI laws are some of the most important. In order to protect yourself under the law, you should be aware of some of the most popular misconceptions regarding driving under the influence.

1. There Are Ways to Fool a Breathalyzer

Breathalyzers display an accurate measurement of a driver's blood-alcohol level by analyzing his or her breath. Since police began using these machines, urban myths about fooling them have continued to flourish. These have included everything from brushing your teeth to placing a battery or penny in your mouth. Some people have even suggested that being a smoker decreases the breathalyzer's ability to take a reading. According to Bactrack.com, these are all entirely untrue.

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 Posted on June 24,2015 in Juvenile Crimes

There has been much media coverage over a recent murder case which occurred in downtown Stamford several weeks ago. According to details released by law enforcement, the 52-year-old male victim was walking out of a fast-food restaurant when he accidently bumped into a 15-year-old teenager. The teen, along with two other males, allegedly beat the victim with hands and a stick. At some point, one member of the group pulled a knife and stabbed the victim several times in the heart, while the other two continued to beat him. A passing ambulance saw the victim on the ground and quickly transferred him to the hospital. The man died several hours later.

The 15-year-old teen has been arrested and charged with the man’s murder. Police claim that he is the person who stabbed the victim. However, prosecutors have charged him as an adult, not a juvenile. He is currently being held on a $2 million bond at a juvenile detention center. Although many people are upset over the tragic and violent way the victim died, there are also many people who are questioning why the 15-year-old accused is being processed in the adult criminal justice system, and not the juvenile system.

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 Posted on June 17,2015 in Domestic Violence

Facing domestic violence charges is a serious matter. If convicted, defendants may have a criminal record and a potential jail sentence.

Connecticut’s domestic violence laws do not discriminate based on gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, education, or immigration status, according to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. If you face domestic violence charges, it is important that you know your rights and consult an attorney with experience handling cases like yours.

Definition of Family Violence

In Connecticut, it is illegal for anyone to assault, threaten, or stalk another person, even if that person is a family member, household member or ex-partner. The state does not consider verbal abuse to be domestic abuse unless it causes physical harm.

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 Posted on June 10,2015 in Criminal Defense

A lot has been in the news lately about crimes on college campuses, especially those dealing with sexual assault and rape. The recent Rolling Stone article about rape on the University of Virginia campus—that was later shown to be in large part manufactured and incorrectly reported by Rolling Stone—may serve to belie just how serious and honest the vast majority of these crimes are.

According to the Washington Post, the number of victims who come forward to report sexual assault or forcible sexual offenses on college campuses have continued to increase in recent years. This could be in part due to the encouragement of university officials that students come forward to report such incidences, rather than to sweep them under the rug. In 2012, it was reported that Penn State University had the nation’s highest number of reports of forcible sex offenses on campus at a staggering 56 incidents in one school year.

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