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When a Connecticut police officer motions you into a weekend checkpoint queue, try not to panic. It's understandable why you might become anxious even if you haven't had a drop of alcohol. Police officers get into your personal space. They sniff you for the scent of...

If a Connecticut police officer arrests you for a felony crime, remember these two critical pieces of advice: Remember your right to remain silent. Call a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. There’s a simple reason for invoking your right to remain silent....

Is it possible to engage in an act of larceny without understanding that you’ve committed a crime? Connecticut’s Larceny statutes cover a variety of actions, events, and circumstances. The statutes are sometimes wordy and complicated. You might not fully understand...

Even if you consider yourself non-violent, there’s always a chance that someone will accuse you of an assault crime. Most importantly, when you’re arrested for assault, connecting with an experienced criminal defense attorney is the most important step you can take....

Connecticut DUI/DWI statutes are pretty straightforward. Chapter 248 §14-227 forbids drivers from operating a vehicle while under the influence of liquor or any drug or both. It's also a crime to operate a vehicle with an “...elevated blood alcohol content...” of...

Before a judge or jury decides your future, you will make several appearances in court. Every appearance is critical because it may affect the outcome of your case. It's important to discuss your case with a criminal defense attorney before you enter the courtroom for...

When you’re arrested for a drug crime, you need immediate assistance from a criminal defense attorney. The personal costs can be high when you try to work out your criminal charges on your own. An experienced criminal lawyer knows what to expect and can help you...

When a police officer decides that you’ve committed a felony, your arrest is just the beginning. Once you’re fingerprinted, photographed, and processed into the system, your case takes on a life of its own. After your arraignment, bail consideration, and other...

Advocacy Matters Law is so complex that many lawyers have gravitated to specific niches. For example, lawyers who structure large company mergers and acquisitions do not appear in family court to argue child support cases. The law in each, and the expectations of...

We have seen how this Movie Ends Prohibition and the long fought war on drugs are failures. The policies are failures under any measure, but the federal government, having learned nothing, is doubling down, looking to charge drug dealers under federal criminal...

I got in trouble when I was younger, can I get a pardon or expungement? Yes, if you got in trouble when you were younger, Connecticut has an avenue to get a pardon or expungement. Connecticut provides three ways to help its residents move past their prior...

Don't Talk to Police "Don't talk to police" is a phrase that I repeat to family, friends, clients, even non-criminal clients. I have admonished people before to heed this advice. Previously, I provided a helpful video from Law School Professor James Duane. Prof. Duane...

Young Drivers, Harsh Penalties As a general rule young drivers are bad drivers. This makes sense. The more we practice something the better we get. Young drivers lack the driving hours to be proficient. They are also young, which means they make poor choices due to...

Criminal Jury Trials are More Scarce About once a year a major news organization runs a story lamenting the infrequency of criminal jury trials. Don't fall for the nostalgia. Three quotes from the August 7, 2016 New York Times: [The lack of criminal jury trials is] a...

Marijuana is Legal in Connecticut, Right? No. No it is not. Marijuana is not legal in Connecticut. While much of the country has moved towards what is inevitable - the legalization of marijuana - Connecticut is taking half-measures. It is not legal, but for small...

The police report in my criminal case is inaccurate – what can I do? Pray. You can pray. Unless the error in the inaccurate report is obvious or there is evidence that the events could not have unfolded in the manner described, the report will stand. If you end up at...

Plea Bargain a/k/a Let's Make a Deal? A  plea bargain is the most common way a criminal case is resolved and is, simply put, a form of risk management. A plea bargain is usually* an agreement to plead guilty, or nolo contendre, or under the Alford doctrine, to a crime...

Like everyone else, a judge has a boss and is evaluated partially based how they handle their docket. “The docket” simply means the full list of cases that the judge has to consider. A judge has great leeway in how they structure the flow of cases in their courthouse,...