Posted on February 20, 2025 in Real Estate Law

In January 2025, home prices across Connecticut were up 10 percent over last year, with a median price of $415,800. There were 2,419 homes sold in January 2025, with the average number of days on the market at 51. The number of homes for sale fell by 14.7 percent.

As the largest purchase made by most people during their lifetimes, buying a home can be exciting and terrifying at the same time. It can also be full of unexpected costs. You may have saved for a long time to ensure you had a down payment when the perfect home came along. What you may not have expected is the many "extra" expenses associated with real estate transactions.

These include an array of closing costs, private mortgage insurance, and other expenses that can be decreased or eliminated. There are three phases in your home buying experience, and all three have associated costs that can be minimized. Speaking to a Stamford, CT real estate attorney can not only make the process go much more smoothly, but it can also save you money.  

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 Posted on February 13, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Being arrested and criminally charged can be devastating. You may feel overwhelmed, unsure of what you need to do to protect yourself and your future, and even frightened that you could end up behind bars. Criminal convictions do not just bring judicial penalties. There are almost always collateral consequences as well, particularly for felony convictions.

A conviction for a criminal offense can result in difficulty securing employment, problems finding affordable housing, an inability to obtain a professional license or a government student loan, social stigma, financial difficulties, and much more. While it is understandable that you may feel like your world is in a free fall after your arrest, try to remember that not all arrests result in convictions.

Most criminal charges – as high as 90 percent – conclude with a plea bargain rather than a trial. The prosecutor may have a weak case, there may have been errors committed by the police, or the defendant may be a first-time offender with a clean record, which makes the prosecutor more likely to offer a deal.

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 Posted on February 06, 2025 in White Collar Crimes

A Chester man was sentenced to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release for an embezzlement scheme that involved stealing money from his employer between January 2016 and December 2023. The man would arrive at work before other employees, disconnect the cables from the servers that captured views of the safe, open the safe, and take thousands of dollars in cash, then reconnect the ethernet cables. The cash was then deposited into the man’s personal bank accounts.

Over the course of seven years, the man and his former spouse made 287 cash deposits of stolen money, totaling nearly $2 million into his personal bank accounts. The man also failed to report the stolen income on his personal income taxes, resulting in tax evasion charges in addition to embezzlement charges. The man pled guilty to the charges and reported to prison on January 6, 2025. In addition to prison and probation, he was ordered to pay restitution of $2,062,580 and to pay $436,178 in taxes to the IRS.  

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 Posted on January 29, 2025 in Criminal Defense

A New Haven, CT man was recently sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a bank robbery that occurred two years ago. The 22-year-old will be under three years of supervised release after he serves his prison time after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting bank robbery. The young man used a walkie-talkie to communicate with the bank robbers as they stole almost $40,000 from the bank. One of the actual bank robbers pled guilty and received a 10-year sentence, while the other two cases are pending.

Many people believe that if they are only the driver in a robbery or burglary or the lookout who warns those actually committing a criminal offense that someone is coming, they will receive nothing more than a slap on the wrist if caught. This is not true. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense like "aiding and abetting" or being an accomplice to a crime, take the charges very seriously. You should speak to a Stamford, CT criminal defense attorney who can potentially reduce your role in the crime, which could reduce your charges as well.   

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 Posted on January 21, 2025 in Real Estate Law

If you are a new homebuyer, you may be wondering how much money you will have to come up with as a down payment. While there are certain "rules" regarding down payments, there really is no "one size fits all," and your down payment will depend on a variety of factors. While 20 percent down may be the "typical" amount, many homebuyers can buy a new home with as little as 3 percent down – or, in some cases, nothing down.

So, how much money "should" you put down on your new home? A real estate attorney can be your best resource when you are considering purchasing a home, as he or she will have information on many different aspects of home buying. Speaking to a knowledgeable Stamford, CT real estate attorney who can help you determine the right down payment amount while ensuring you are aware of all your options can be helpful.

How Much Money Should You Put Down on Your New Home?

If you can afford it, putting 20 percent down is a good idea, as it will immediately reduce the amount of your loan, lowering your monthly payments. However, if it will completely deplete your bank account to put 20 percent down, you might better be served by keeping some money in reserve for home repairs, living expenses, or emergencies. The amount required for a down payment may depend in part on the type of loan you are acquiring.

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 Posted on January 15, 2025 in Theft and Property Crimes

Hartford police are currently searching for a man who allegedly carjacked a vehicle around 3:00 in the morning in the area of 12 Congress Street. A woman and her friend were sitting in her car smoking when the suspect pointed a firearm at them, demanded their belongings, and ordered them out of the car. The suspect then drove away in the car, traveling westbound on Jefferson Street.

The suspect is described as being in his early 20s, with a medium build, wearing a gray hoodie and a black face mask. While carjacking has become much more common in the past decade or so, it is a serious criminal offense with serious penalties and consequences. In 2022, the state of Connecticut had 7,009 carjacking incidents.

Across the United States, the average carjacking rate was 20.1 per 100,000 people in 2018 and 37.9 per 100,000 people in 2023 – a significant increase. Penalties for carjacking have also been increased in many states in an attempt to halt the rise in this crime. If you have been charged with carjacking, you need an extremely experienced Stamford, CT criminal defense attorney who will defend your rights and your future.  

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 Posted on January 07, 2025 in Juvenile Crimes

The Connecticut Justice Alliance is advocating for changes to be made to the state’s juvenile justice system in the coming year. The Alliance claims the state must do more to examine the root causes of juvenile crime and should also consider that while a child’s public education costs roughly $19,000 a year, it can cost as much as $274,000 to imprison a juvenile. It is every parent’s worst nightmare to receive a call telling them their child is in trouble and is being charged with a criminal offense.

If the offense is severe enough, depending on the age of the juvenile, he or she could be tried and sentenced in adult court. Even if the juvenile remains in juvenile court, a conviction for a criminal offense can affect virtually every aspect of the juvenile’s future. If your child has been charged with a criminal offense, it is important that you speak to a Stamford, CT juvenile criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible.

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 Posted on December 31, 2024 in Real Estate Law

Buying residential real estate can be exciting and terrifying at the same time. A home purchase is a huge investment, and the goal is to ensure everything is as advertised. A pre-purchase property inspection is not mandatory in Connecticut, but while not infallible, an inspection can potentially uncover a wide variety of home issues.  

Connecticut’s homes range from colonial to modern, and the state’s weather conditions include everything from heavy snowfall to coastal storm surges. Having a detailed report on a home could save you tens of thousands of dollars. Suppose you move into your new home and the HVAC system fails the first week you are living there. The replacement or repair costs could be significant.

A home inspection could have identified the issue, allowing you to request a lower price on the home or ask that the owner fix the problem. An experienced Stamford, CT real estate attorney can help ensure your purchase is everything you dream of.   

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 Posted on December 24, 2024 in Driving Under the Influence

A New London man was recently arrested for driving under the influence on I-95 in Old Saybrook. Police noticed a black sedan that consistently failed to maintain its lane. When the driver was pulled over, the state trooper noticed signs of impairment in the driver and noted the registration was expired.

The man failed to pass field sobriety tests, and a loaded 9mm handgun was found on his person. The 42-year-old was charged with DUI, failure to maintain proper lane, improper storage of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and illegal carry of a firearm while under the influence. He was released on a $1,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court.

DUI charges on their own are serious in Connecticut, and the addition of weapons charges can result in significant penalties. If you have been charged with DUI and gun charges, you need immediate legal assistance. A Stamford, CT DUI lawyer can comprehensively assess your charges and determine the best way to defend the charges.

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 Posted on December 13, 2024 in Driving Under the Influence

While incarceration for a Connecticut DUI is certainly a possibility, it may not be the most effective solution. Recognizing this, the Connecticut Department of Correction implemented the DUI Home Confinement Program. If you have been convicted of DUI or pled guilty to the offense, you may want to speak to your DUI attorney about your eligibility for the program.

This program could conceivably keep you out of jail or prison, allowing you to pay your debt to society while leading a relatively normal life. Speak to a Stamford, CT criminal defense attorney to determine whether this program would be a good choice for you if you are eligible.  

What Criminal Offenses Are Considered for the Home Confinement Program?

Under Connecticut Statute CGS 18-100h, the Department of Corrections can release offenders during their sentence to a sponsor or community residence that meets specific criteria. These offenders may not have been otherwise eligible for release because of a DUI mandatory sentence. The following six offenses are eligible for the program:

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