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Recent Blog Posts
What Happens After an Arrest?
Many of the almost 60,000 people who were arrested in Connecticut in 2022 were probably confused about what was going to happen following their arrest. Did you know that most arrestees do not remain in police custody until their trial or that you enter a plea at a hearing known as an arraignment? You may have no idea how the arrest or pre-trial process works, which can make your head spin when nothing is being explained to you.
Our Stamford criminal defense lawyer would like to discuss the process of posting bail and what court proceedings will follow your arrest.
Police Custody and Booking
Immediately following your arrest, you will be in police custody. You will be brought down to the police station for “booking.” During the booking process, your information will be entered into the police system, you will be fingerprinted, your mug shot will be taken, a full body search will be conducted, and the police will check to see if there are any outstanding warrants in your name.
Will Your Child Go to Jail If They Are Accused of a Crime?
If your child is accused of a crime, it is possible that he or she may be sent to juvenile detention. However, your child must be at least 10 years old to be tried in juvenile court
If law enforcement does decide to charge your child with a crime, there are several options that may be explored in lieu of detention. A Stamford, CT, Juvenile Defense Attorney can provide an overview of alternative forms of rehabilitation in Connecticut’s youth justice system.
Juveniles and the Court System
Connecticut law recognizes three forms of youth offenders:
- Juvenile delinquents: Youths under the age of 16 who violate a federal law, state law, or local ordinance
- Serious juvenile offenders: Youths who may be tried as adults for committing serious juvenile offenses
- Youthful offenders: Youths between the ages of 14 and 18 who violate the law are given this special status
Defenses Against Drug Possession in Connecticut
The consequences of a drug possession charge in Connecticut can be severe, including fines, probation, and even jail time. However, always remember that you have rights and options to defend yourself. There are several defenses that a skilled Stamford criminal defense attorney can raise to fight against drug possession charges.
At Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner, we understand the complexity of drug possession cases and are here to help you navigate through the legal process.
The Importance of Defending Against Drug Possession Charges
Defending against drug possession charges is of utmost importance because if convicted, you can face severe penalties that can impact your life for years to come. A drug possession conviction can have long-lasting consequences, including difficulty finding employment, obtaining housing, or securing financial assistance for education.
By mounting a strong defense, you have the opportunity to protect your future and potentially mitigate the charges or have them dismissed. The following are some ways a Fairfield County criminal defense lawyer might defend against your charges, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Increased Arrests During the Holidays
While the holidays give us the opportunity to spend time with loved ones, there is evidence that arrests increase in November and December. A recent study showed that both robbery and larceny increased by 20% during the holidays.
Spending the night in jail is the last thing that you need as you prepare for the hustle and bustle of the holidays. If you or a loved one have been arrested during this holiday season, you need the experience that can only be found in a Stamford criminal defense lawyer
What Crimes Increase During the Holiday Season?
While these arrests happen year-round, there is evidence showing an uptick in the following crimes:
Larceny
With the pressure to buy the perfect gift for family members, the number of cases of shoplifting surge during the holidays
If you are charged with shoplifting, you may be charged with either a misdemeanor or felony, depending upon the cost of the merchandise stolen. At its most severe, if your merchandise is valued up to $15,000, you may be serving 20 years in prison, with a potential fine of $15,000
Invoking Your Miranda Rights After an Arrest
Miranda rights should be read to you after an arrest and if the police plan on questioning you. If you are in custody, then the police are required to read you your rights.
If you have been arrested, having the counsel of a Stamford criminal defense lawyer is key to protecting your legal rights. Keep reading to find out more about your rights following an arrest and when the Miranda Warning is required.
Miranda v. Arizona
In Miranda v. Arizona, the defendant was arrested at his home and taken to the police station, where he was questioned for two hours before he signed a written confession. At trial, both an oral and written confession were admitted into evidence, and the jury found the defendant guilty.
The defendant appealed, and the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the judgment of the lower court. The Supreme Court ruled that any statements or admissions that a defendant makes during a police interrogation could only be used as evidence if the defendant was first apprised of certain rights.
Underage DUI Laws in CT
A recent survey revealed that nearly one-third (30.2%) of high school students in Connecticut consume alcohol. Of those polled, nearly half (48.3%) admitted to drinking five or more alcoholic beverages in a row, also known as “binge drinking.”
Police officers invoke severe penalties if a minor is found driving under the influence since alcohol is a leading cause of death for our nation’s youth. While an adult must have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of at least 0.08%, a minor only needs to have a BAC of 0.02% to be arrested for a DUI
Knowing how to defend DUI charges is not a simple task. If you have a child who has been arrested for a DUI, you need experienced representation that can only be found in a Stamford DUI defense lawyer.
Connecticut DUI Laws for Minors
Under Connecticut’s Zero Tolerance Policy, a minor has broken the law if he or she has any trace of alcohol in the blood. A minor is considered to be operating a vehicle “under the influence” if a chemical test has a BAC reading of just 0.02 g/dL
How Criminal Convictions Can Affect Your Career
A criminal record can follow you for many years. In Connecticut, a person cannot be denied employment simply because of a prior criminal record. However, a state agency or board is allowed to take a felony conviction under advisement in issuing credentials.
If you have a criminal record, our Stamford criminal defense lawyer would like to discuss what information employers can find out about you and ways that a criminal conviction can affect your career.
Background Checks: What Can My Employer Find Out?
When you apply for a job, the employer must ask your permission to conduct a background check on you. Your criminal record will come up on a background check, along with your schooling and past employment.
Reasons to Have a Lawyer Review Your Real Estate Contracts
Buying a home is a large financial decision. There are many expenses associated with the purchase, including the initial deposit, earnest money, and, of course, the down payment. You will likely have closing costs, although the seller may agree to cover some of these fees.
Purchasing costs aside, you may also have moving costs, which can vary greatly depending on how much furniture you have and if your move is local or out-of-state. You will need to factor in packing expenses and furniture reassembling fees if applicable.
With all these expenses, you may feel that you can skip having a lawyer review your real estate contract. This could be a big mistake, as real estate laws and contracts can be complicated.
Have You Been Accused of Shoplifting?
Shoplifting is a serious crime in Connecticut. The severity of the charge will depend on the amount of merchandise stolen. While you may think that shoplifting is no big deal, there are serious consequences that come with it.
If you have been arrested for shoplifting, you need a Fairfield County theft crimes attorney to defend your rights.
What are Connecticut Laws on Shoplifting?
Shoplifting is known as larceny under Connecticut law. You may be accused of shoplifting if you intentionally take possession of goods at a retail store or other place where merchandise is being stolen, with no intention of paying for them.
Depending on the amount of merchandise stolen, shoplifting can be either a felony or a misdemeanor in Connecticut. In the Nutmeg state, felonies are categorized as either being a Class A, B, C, D, or E (most severe to least severe charges). However, shoplifting may only be considered a Class B, C, or D felony in Connecticut.
Who Needs to Register as a Sex Offender in CT?
If you are convicted of a sexual offense, you can expect to spend time in prison and have to pay hefty fines. While many people know that convicted sex offenders must register with the police, you may not know which crimes require you to be listed on the sex offender registry.
If you have been convicted of a sexual offense, you need experienced representation that can only come from a Stamford sex crime defense lawyer.
What is the Sex Offender Registry?
The sex offender registry is a list of all convicted sex offenders in the state. You can search for a particular person to find out their personal information, including the offender’s home address, physical appearance, and prior criminal history. You can search sex offender registries for the entire country by visiting the National Sex Offender Public Website.
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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