The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution provides individuals in this country with specific rights and protections. These have to do with how police officers handle searches of a person’s property. There are very important limitations and requirements...
Tough Former Prosecutors
40+ Years Trial Experience
Criminal Defense
What kinds of things are negotiable in plea bargaining?
You may have heard that most criminal cases don’t go to trial. In fact, the government has a vested interest in settling most cases out of court. Trials cost money and use time and resources that are often in short supply. That can be to your advantage as a defendant...
Is DNA evidence ever in error?
Genetic evidence, in the form of DNA, is increasingly being used in all manner of police investigations, from homicides to sex crimes. Thanks to shows like “Law & Order” and “CSI,” people tend to think that DNA evidence is infallible. That’s not exactly true. In...
What does being charged with criminal conspiracy mean?
When many people hear the word “conspiracy,” they think of an elaborate criminal enterprise involving multiple players. It doesn’t have to – and usually isn’t – that complicated. Under the law, a criminal conspiracy can involve just two people who agree to commit a...
How social media posts can be used as evidence against you
Social media has become a major part of how people interact with one another and even their daily lives. People may check for community news or updates from loved ones on social media. They may also join groups to digitally socialize with people who have the same...

Can I sue the police officer that arrested me for wrongful arrest?
It can be an extremely stressful event when the police arrest you, even under normal circumstances. The situation is much worse when you suspect that the police didn’t have the authority to arrest you, or that the circumstances didn’t justify your arrest. In cases...

When might CCTV surveillance footage be inadmissible in court?
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it might not mean much in legal proceedings. With thousands of security cameras recording every move we make, at least some video will likely become part of the evidence that prosecutors use in a case. If you have been...

Does remote criminal court hurt my rights?
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted and continues to impact pretty much every part of our lives. We started wearing masks and avoided getting together with large groups. We cut back on actually going into work and even visiting with family members. Now that we have had...

When can police look at my phone?
Our phones have more than just phone numbers and voicemails. They contain text messages, location information, access to emails and social media and even store files. These devices can have a huge amount of information, all in the palm of our hands. Although...

Unreturned rental leads to criminal charges and an important lesson
Those of us who grew up in the eighties, nineties and even early in the 21st century remember the joys of going to the local video store to rent the latest movies. We did our best to be kind and rewind before returning the video. We even paid the late fines if we kept...