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Recent Blog Posts
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.
Can Traffic Tickets Be a Criminal Offense?
In Connecticut, traffic tickets are typically considered civil offenses. They result from violations of state and local traffic laws, such as speeding, running a red light, or failing to yield. When issued a traffic ticket, drivers often face fines, potential points on their driving record, and the possibility of increased insurance rates.
However, certain traffic violations can escalate to criminal offenses in specific circumstances. While a traffic ticket should always be taken seriously, criminal matters become much more concerning. Always discuss your charges with a Stamford criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
Common Title Issues When Purchasing Residential Real Estate
Every year, more than 80% of Americans opt to purchase owner’s title insurance to protect themselves against any debts and/or liens that might exist against their property.
Our Stamford real estate attorney would like to inform you of common title issues that may arise when you purchase a home and the benefits of buying an owner’s title insurance policy.
What is a Title Issue?
A title issue, also known as a title “defect,” is a problem with the legal right of ownership of a home. Before a home is sold, a title insurance company will run a title search as part of the closing process. The title search is conducted to find any outstanding liens, debts, or other claims to the property.
Two Common Juvenile Offenses in CT
Children and young people can be charged with the same crimes as adults. If a minor has committed an offense, their case will be tried in juvenile court. A juvenile may be charged with a delinquent act or serious juvenile offense. Connecticut law defines 50 felonies as serious juvenile offenses
In Connecticut, a juvenile is considered to be between the ages of 10 to 17. Whether it be an adolescent, college student, or another young person, a Stamford criminal defense attorney is here to offer your child the legal representation that is needed.
The following are two common allegations against juveniles
Possession of Drugs
One of the most common juvenile offenses is the possession of drugs. According to CGS §21a-277, a person may not manufacture, distribute, sell, prescribe, or dispense any narcotic or hallucinogenic substance.
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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