Many people in the Syracuse area believe they must allow law enforcement to search their cars when asked. You, however, might believe they only need a warrant to legally search your vehicle. You should think carefully about what you say to the police. Giving them permission to search your vehicle during a traffic stop when it is not necessary could lead to criminal charges. It is important for you to
DWI comes with many penalties, such as high fees, jail time and the loss of your driver’s license, which is one many people overlook, not realizing the long-term effects of a drunk driving conviction. Without a license, you may have trouble getting to work, school and other such places, or spend a lot of time and money on public transportation and car sharing services. Understanding the consequences of a DWI on your
As with many other types of white-collar crimes, health care fraud cases often begin long before official charges enter the picture. Understanding what can lead to investigation and knowing the warning signs can help you take timely action to protect yourself. Generally, health care fraud consists of purposeful misrepresentation, such as using the wrong codes for procedures, double-billing and other types of activities designed to get higher reimbursement than the provider
If you tend to have a few drinks with some friends and drive a short while afterward in New York, it is important for you to know your rights at DWI checkpoints. If you do not learn them, you could find yourself with a DWI charge and the significant consequences that result. DWI checkpoints are usually placed where there is a high suspicion of intoxicated driving. Officers can question motorists
A criminal conviction may have an impact in a person’s life even after the person has served their sentence and resumed living a law-abiding life. Beyond the social impact of having a criminal record, a conviction can have a number collateral consequences that can negatively impact someone’s life. These consequences are varied, are often long-lasting (sometimes permanent) and in some cases have more serious consequences that the actual sentence that
If you are like many of New York’s drug offenders facing criminal charges, the charges may have arisen because of your addiction itself, not because you are prone to engaging in illicit or criminal activity. Recognizing that many drug offenders commit crimes in an effort to feed their addictions, many states have enacted drug court programs, which aim not only to hold criminal offenders accountable but to also treat the
If you have been arrested for a DWI in New York, you probably have some idea of what you can expect. With today’s widespread access to information, many people even assume they can handle a minor case on their own just fine. Why pay a lawyer to do something you can do yourself? Assessing the case against you The answer is, even an ordinary first-time DWI can have many aspects
Being arrested on a warrant can be an unsettling event. Moreover, having the police knock urgently on your door and demand entry, often in the early morning hours, can not only be disturbing, but dangerous, to you and your family. The police are wary about who they may encounter and what danger they may face, and often come in force and heavily armed. People who wake up to yelling and
When it comes to cases of driving while intoxicated, even one citation can ruin your life. A DWI ruling can mean hefty fines, jail time and a permanent criminal record that can prevent you from getting into certain schools and applying for certain jobs. While drunk driving is considered a crime, some drivers feel that they were not intoxicated when charged with the violation. There could be several causes of
In an unfortunate turn, the United States Supreme Court recently held that evidence obtained as a result of an illegal police stop may not have to be suppressed in a subsequent trial of the person who is stopped. This decision broadens the exceptions to the general rule that if police illegally obtain evidence against a person, that evidence cannot later be used against him or her criminally. After this decision,