Syracuse Criminal Law Blog

An Unexpected Consequence of a DWI Charge

February 24, 2020

A night out with friends can become a nightmare if a Syracuse resident is stopped and arrested for suspected drunk driving. In New York, DWI charges can carry serious legal consequences if the affected individuals are convicted of their alleged crimes. New Yorkers charged and convicted with drunk driving crimes may face costly fines, the losses of their driving privileges, and even periods of incarceration. These penalties may significantly alter

Powerful Upstate lawmaker not seeking reelection after DWI arrest

February 14, 2020

Brian Kolb has been an integral part of politics and thes New York State Assembly for decades. First elected in 2000, he won re-election nine times and rose to the powerful Assembly Minority Leader position in 2009. Without question, Kolb has long been a prime mover and shaker in Upstate New York, but his grip on power began to loosen on the last day of last year. Kolb was arrested

Will new regulation increase witness intimidation?

January 3, 2020

If accused of a crime, there may be witnesses that claim they saw you committing the crime, in which case the prosecuting attorney often requests that the witness testify against you. The prosecutor is required to inform the defendant of the evidence against them, but there was no time requirement, meaning the defense usually received the information shortly before trial. Understanding the benefits and implications of the change New York

Times investigation uncovers flaws in breath test evidence

November 18, 2019

More than 1 million Americans are accused of driving drunk each year. Those charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) are usually prosecuted over the results from a battery of tests, including a breath test. Whether it’s on the side of the road or at a police station, drivers are instructed to blow into a device to measure whether their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds the legal limit of 0.08% here

Older drivers may process alcohol differently

October 23, 2019

If you have been a drinker throughout your adult life, you may think you have a good idea of how much alcohol you can consume without becoming intoxicated. You should realize, though, that the human body processes alcohol differently after age 65. New York has some tough penalties for drunk driving, especially when doing so results in a serious injury. While you may never have had a DWI charge in the past,

How even one drink can lead to a DWI

September 29, 2019

You hear it over and over: Never get behind the wheel after consuming any amount of alcohol. It may seem like such generic advice that you disregard it. After all, how harmful can just one drink be? It would be so inconvenient to always have to wait to drive or catch a ride after only one serving of an alcoholic beverage. What is even more inconvenient, however, is having to

Possible record options for a New York DWI

August 30, 2019

People do not usually intend to drive while intoxicated. However, it is not uncommon for parties to underestimate their intoxication level. If you or a loved one have a DWI on your record, it can have lasting effects on your future. In the state of New York, there are only a few options available for removing this particular infraction. Expungement or seal In New York, expungements for DWI are not allowed under

What can you expect regarding license suspension for DWI?

August 18, 2019

If you are a resident of Syracuse or a neighboring area, an arrest for drunk driving will include the loss of your driving privileges. When will this happen? How can you get your driver’s license back? How will you get around in the meantime? Types of violations Driving violations related to alcohol break down into several categories. For example, Driving While Intoxicated, or DWI, is a common violation based on

How do people get involved in white-collar crime?

July 27, 2019

Society may have a stereotype in mind when it comes to a white-collar criminal. Likely the image is of a middle-aged white male in a high-ranking position greedily stealing hundreds of thousands to fund his lavish lifestyle. While this certainly is a common story, it is not the full picture. Many people get caught up in white-collar crimes unintentionally. How do everyday employees find themselves involved in theft and facing

What are signs that an employee is embezzling?

June 26, 2019

As an employer, you must be meticulous in your hiring. If you bring on the wrong person, you may have someone on your team who embezzles company funds. Your employees should be productive, lawful and beneficial to your business. Anyone you entrust to manage or monitor funds should be reliable. But, of course, not all employee theft is obvious. Sometimes, even a seemingly trustworthy employee can commit embezzlement. Here are some warning