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Shoplifting Charges in Connecticut
Some people think of shoplifting as a petty crime, usually committed by teens on a dare from their friends. However, the reality is that shoplifting – also referred to as retail theft – is a serious charge that could result in significant penalties if the person charged is convicted.
If you have been charged with retail theft, you need a skilled Stamford defense attorney advocating for you.
Shoplifting Charges
Under Connecticut law, there are two different ways a person can be charged with shoplifting. They have either taken merchandise from the store without paying for it or they have switched the tags or packaging of one item with the tags or packaging of another item that has a lower price.
The category of crime you are charged with depends on the dollar value of the items that you are accused of shoplifting:
Serious Consequences of a Rape Conviction in Connecticut
The state of Connecticut takes the crimes of rape and sexual assaults very seriously. The penalties for convictions are harsh, often resulting in jail time and the requirement to register with the state’s sex offender registry. The impact on an accused’s future can be dire. If you have been accused of sexual assault, you need an aggressive Stamford defense attorney aggressively fighting for you against these charges.
How Does Connecticut Define Rape?
Under Connecticut law, there are several acts that can result in a charge of sexual assault in the first degree. These acts include:
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Forces an individual to engage in sexual interforce by using force or the threat of using force against that individual or against a third party. If the victim is under the age of 16, the charge is elevated to a class A felony which can result in sentencing enhancement.
New Law Aims at Cracking Down on Catalytic Converter Thefts
The recent rise in catalytic converter thefts has hit just about every state in the country, including right here in Connecticut. Examples of just how serious a problem it has become over the past few months include thefts of catalytic converters off of more than a dozen Easter Seal vans in Waterville and 18 school buses in Plainville. In May, a man in Milford needed 300 stitches after a confrontation with a man who was using a Sawzall to cut off a catalytic converter from a parked vehicle.
In response to these and other incidents, lawmakers passed a new law that went into effect July 1, implementing stringent restrictions on who motor vehicle recyclers can purchase these parts from and how those sales must be documented.
Thefts Soar
According to statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the number of catalytic converter thefts skyrocketed from 3,400 in 2019 to 14,400 in 2020, a more than 400 percent increase in one year – those numbers continue to soar.
Many Home Buyers Waiving Home Inspection Contingency
One of the surprising trends to occur during the COVID-19 pandemic – and one that has continued long beyond it – is how competitive the residential real estate market has become. It is not an uncommon sight for a “under contract” sign to go up within days of the “for sale” sign being put out. It is also not unusual for a bidding war to take place, with potential buyers offering even more than what the asking price of the home is. There is no doubt that this period has been a seller’s market, however, this can sometimes mean that a buyer is willing to waive certain contingencies in order to seal the deal. But this can turn out to be an expensive mistake.
Waiving Contingencies
When a seller agrees to a potential buyer’s offer, they will sign an Offers to Purchase contract. This contract covers the purchase price agreed upon by both parties, as well as other terms. One of the most critical terms is the amount of time the seller has to accept the buyer’s offer. This contract also often has contingencies that allow either party to cancel the contract without legal liability.
Is Drug Addiction a Valid Defense for Drug Crimes in Connecticut?
According to national statistics, there are more than two million people who are incarcerated in the United States. Many of those who are being held are in the criminal justice system because of substance abuse issues. In fact, according to FBI statistics, the majority of arrests are for some type of drug abuse violations, and one out of five people are being held for drug-related crimes.
Crime and Addiction
The statistics on drug addiction and its link to criminal offenses are overwhelming. In a report by the U.S. Bureau of Justice, it is estimated that more than 20 percent of all people who are being held in prisons and jails are there because the committed crimes in their attempt to get drugs. This comes to approximately a half million people who are incarcerated because of their drug addictions.
Collateral Consequences of a Felony Conviction in Connecticut
When a person is convicted of a crime, the court will hand down the sentence they are required to serve, with the severity of that sentence dependent on the severity of the crime, along with the circumstances of the case.
Once the sentence has been completed, the defendant may believe they have “paid their debt to society” for the crime they have been convicted of, however, if that crime was a felony, there may be collateral consequences that will have an impact on the defendant’s future.
Felony Charges
In Connecticut, there are several classes of felonies a person may be charged with. The class of felony charged will determine the minimum/maximum sentence the defendant will face if convicted:
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Capital A felony – Life without possibility of release
New Connecticut Law Codifies CSP Hate Crime Investigative Unit
Last month, Governor Ned Lamont signed into law Public Act 22-9, a new law that – among other things – will ensure the ability of the Connecticut State Police’s Hate Crime Investigative Unit will have the tools the unit needs to continue its work. The unit was originally established in October 2021 but was never codified into law.
Along with codifying the unit into law, the law also requires the state to develop a reporting system and best practices, and a model of the investigation policy that law enforcement should use when investigating hate crimes. The law also places time requirements which state that law enforcement has to report hate crimes to the CSP Hate Crimes Investigative Unit, and designates the head of the unit to sit on the State-Wide Hate Crimes Advisory Council.
Hate Crime Investigative Unit
What Are the Different Types of Liens Creditors Can Put on Property?
When someone applies for a mortgage to purchase a home, one of the requirements the mortgage company has is that there be no issues regarding the deed to the property. In order to ensure this, the mortgage company (or the buyer) will hire a title company to do a title search to confirm the legal ownership and to make sure there are no liens on the property.
Liens are legal claims or rights that are placed on a property by a creditor. The lien gives the creditor stake in the property if the property is sold. The problem for the property owner, however, is the property cannot be sold unless the lien is lifted.
While some liens are expected and accepted – such as the lien a mortgage company places on the property when they grant a mortgage – there are other liens that are not acceptable. The following is an overview of the different types of liens that could be found in a title search.
When Does Discipline Become Child Abuse in Connecticut?
Several years ago, a well-known NFL football player was arrested for child abuse because he used a tree branch as a switch to discipline his then four-year-old son. The man claimed he never intended to abuse or harm his son and was only disciplining him in the same manner his parents disciplined him when he was a child. But prosecutors said that by using a tree branch and hitting his son multiple times, the player’s actions went beyond mere discipline and were abusive. The case caused a national debate about what type of acts crosses the line between discipline and abuse.
Player Charged
According to prosecutors in the above case, the boy suffered bruises and cuts all over his body. The player was charged with felony child abuse. He eventually pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of misdemeanor assault and received two years’ probation, a fine of $4,000, and was ordered to perform 80 hours of community service. He was also suspended from the NFL for one year. Four years later, in an interview, the player admitted to sometimes using a belt to discipline the boy.
Appealing a Connecticut Criminal Conviction
When a person is convicted of a crime, there may be grounds to have that conviction overturned. This can happen if there were errors made during the original trial and they are granted an appeal. If you have been convicted, contact a criminal defense attorney to find out if your case may be eligible for the appeal process.
Filing an Appeal
There are several ways a convicted person can appeal a court’s verdict. The defendant can file a motion to request the trial judge overturn the jury’s guilty verdict and enter a new verdict of not guilty. This is referred to as judgement notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV).
The Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner in Stamford, Connecticut serves clients in Greenwich, Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, Westport, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Danbury, Wilton and clients throughout Fairfield County and across Connecticut (CT).
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