Posted on March 20, 2025 in Criminal Defense

After a warrant was issued for his arrest, a truck driver turned himself in for a collision in 2024 that left another truck driver dead. The accident happened a little over a year ago on I-84 E, near exit 72 in Union, Connecticut. Witnesses to the accident say the man’s tractor-trailer crossed into the right lane from the center lane, colliding with another tractor-trailer, whose driver veered off the road and into Morey Pond, submerging the tractor-trailer.

The man who caused the accident was standing on the side of the roadway when the police arrived, but the other driver was pronounced dead at the scene. After watching dash cam footage from both trucks, the police determined who the at-fault driver was and issued the arrest warrant. After turning himself in, the man who caused the accident was charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, failure to maintain a lane, and providing a false statement.

Negligent homicide with a motor vehicle occurs when a person dies because of another driver’s negligent operation of a vehicle. This means that a driver deviated from reasonable conduct he or she should have exhibited under the circumstances. If you have been charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, it is important that you speak to a knowledgeable Stamford, CT criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after the accident.

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 Posted on March 12, 2025 in Real Estate Law

It’s that time of year once again – the time when Connecticut lawmakers discuss low vacancy rates, high rents, home ownership becoming increasingly out of reach for many, and the rise in homelessness. While it is a yearly discussion, little has been done about the issue from one year to the next.

Like many states, Connecticut clearly has a housing problem, and residents are beginning to wonder if their elected lawmakers will ever really dig in and make much-needed changes. If you are contemplating a real estate purchase or sale, it is always a good idea to have an experienced Stamford, CT real estate attorney by your side to avoid many of the pitfalls that are commonly seen in real estate dealings.  

Why Are There Ongoing Housing Affordability Issues in the State?

The issue seems to come down to arguments between housing advocates as opposed to "local control" champions, as the local land use authorities continually stand in the way. There is no lack of capital to finance housing developments and no lack of building materials. There are plenty of architects, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and structural engineers necessary. And there is certainly no lack of demand.

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 Posted on March 06, 2025 in Theft and Property Crimes

A case dating back to 2022 recently ended with a man who posed as an Amazon worker while committing a home invasion being sentenced to ten years in prison. In January 2022, two men dressed as Amazon workers were captured on a home security camera as they appeared to make a delivery at a home on Naugatuck Avenue in Milford.

When the door opened, the two men forced their way into the home, struggling with the victim as they beat and pistol-whipped him, then bound him with duct tape while they ransacked the home, leaving with more than $50,000 in jewelry. In this case, the defendant pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, suspended after serving 10 years, followed by five years of probation.

Under Connecticut laws, home invasion is the most serious burglary offense and is charged as a Class A felony. While this is a serious crime with serious penalties, being charged with a criminal offense does not necessarily mean a conviction and sentence. When you have an aggressive legal advocate in your corner, the outcome can be very different, and one mistake does not have to destroy your life. A Stamford, CT criminal defense  attorney will protect your rights and future to the extent possible.  

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 Posted on February 24, 2025 in Violent Crimes

If you are being charged with assault, battery, domestic abuse, or certain other criminal offenses, your defense to the charges may be that you acted in self-defense. You may have been defending yourself, a loved one, or your property. The question will arise as to whether you used a "reasonable" amount of force during your act of self-defense, particularly since Connecticut has no "stand your ground" law.

Connecticut laws surrounding self-defense are complex, involving several factual requirements that must be met in order to be successful in your claim that you acted in self-defense. It is important that you have an experienced Stamford, CT criminal defense attorney who will aggressively defend your right to self-defense.  

No Stand Your Ground Law Requires Retreat When Possible

Law enforcement and prosecutors in the state will often challenge the level of force used by a person claiming self-defense by deeming it excessive and unreasonable. Under Connecticut law, you may only use a reasonable level of force and cannot use deadly force if you can avoid doing so by retreating or surrendering possession to property the aggressor of the incident claims to own.

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 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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