Insights

Many people accused of crimes face the important question of whether to take a guilty plea.  Whether or not a person decides to take a plea can depend on many factors, and the decision can be very easy or very difficult...

When police officers are working undercover, they are legally allowed to lie about anything, including their identity. So, if a person asks an undercover police officer whether he is a cop, he or she can lie and say they are...

The defense does not have to prove anything. The prosecution always has the burden to prove their case, and they must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecution is unable to prove every...

Although several states do not allow mental illness as a defense in criminal cases, New York does allow such a defense. This is typically called the “Insanity defense.” If you’ve been charged with a crime in New York,...

Under New York Law, “Entrapment” (P.L. 40.05) is an affirmative legal defense to a crime. If you feel that you’ve been set up by the police or other law enforcement officer, and were actively encouraged or induced by...