Self defense, also known as justification in New York State, can be used as a defense for individuals charged with assault, homicide or other violent crimes involving an injured person. The justification defense is usually employed for serious crimes when the defendant has harmed someone else, but their actions were justified because they were protecting…

A California film producer was accused of defrauding hedge fund investors out of $26 million and allegedly using some of the stolen money to fund his lavish lifestyle. The indictment was filed in Manhattan federal court. David Bergstein and co-defendant Keith Wellner were arrested in California and New York respectively, according to the FBI. Bergstein…

Two men from Yonkers, New York, were arrested for identity theft after police discovered over 80 forged credit cards hidden in their rental car. They also found a laptop containing “hundreds, possibly thousands” of stolen credit card numbers, according to investigators. Gabriel Young, 26, and his co-defendant Omar Hidalgo pleaded guilty to a felony charge…

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the launch of a task force in an effort to reduce domestic violence in the city. The ambitious plan calls for making it easier for victims to report abuse and increasing the conviction rate for prosecutions. The task force will be led by First Lady Chirlane McCray…