Syracuse Criminal Law Blog

Some criminal offenses are clearly felonies, while others are clearly misdemeanors. There are also numerous types of criminal charges that can be either felonies or misdemeanors depending on the circumstances.  Theft is one of those crimes that can lead to felony or misdemeanor charges. A number of aggravating factors, including unlawful entry into a residential property or the possession of a weapon, could increase the severity of the charges an

Getting a “mug shot” taken is part of being booked for anyone who’s arrested for a criminal offense. Most people’s mug shots don’t go public unless they’re well-known or the crime they’re accused of makes the news.  However, whether or not it can be accessed if someone looks for it is something that understandably concerns people – whether they’re ultimately convicted of an offense or not. Can potential or current

Entering a guilty plea in court is a serious decision, and once sentencing is complete, withdrawing it can be challenging. However, there are situations where withdrawing a guilty plea after sentencing may be possible.  Here are potential situations when you may be able to withdraw a guilty plea.  Is it possible to withdraw a guilty plea after sentencing? Yes, but it’s not easy. Once a sentence has been imposed, courts

Standardized field sobriety tests help police officers determine if a driver might be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Police officers who suspect people of chemical intoxication may ask them to exit the vehicle and perform three different tests to gauge their level of intoxication. Field sobriety tests may give police officers reason to request a breath test or arrest a driver. They can also play an important role