Getting arrested makes the news. The context, the full story, the other side, rarely get the same attention. By the time a case works its way through the courts, many people have already decided what they think happened. That is a problem because in the American justice system, what people think happened is not the…

New York criminal cases typically move through a set of early stages. Some of these stages include arrest, arraignment, conferences, discovery, motions, and in some cases, trial and then appeals. A crucial part of the criminal process includes discovery.  CPL Article 245 governs discovery in N.Y. Recent changes to CPL article 245 affect various aspects…

​A recent New York sex crimes case highlights how quickly a criminal investigation can begin in cases involving alleged criminal conduct by an on-duty officer. According to recent news reports, a Brooklyn NYPD sergeant was arrested on charges including forcible touching, sexual abuse, official misconduct, and harassment, based on a complaint that the officer groped…

In 2018, the Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department created the option to file court documents electronically. The option, known as “e-filing,” uses the New York State Courts Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF). It allows parties in appellate cases to file necessary documents electronically, eliminating the need for paper copies.  In 2024, the Second Department…