How to get the best criminal defense lawyer for your case? Here are some pointers!

Choosing a criminal defense lawyer for your case can be quite tricky, but it is also imperative that you have the best defense in your case. Finding the right criminal defense lawyer after being accused of a crime is one of the most challenging aspects preceding case filing.

Here are some of the tips that can help you select the best criminal defense attorney. Please have a look!

Hire a criminal defense attorney that specializes in the area of defense you require!

Simply hiring any criminal defense lawyer is not going to be beneficial. In many areas, such as family law, civil law, criminal law, etc., various lawyers specialize. Therefore, you must hire a lawyer specializing in a particular area of criminal defense such as DUI, murder offenses, sex, drug offenses, etc.

• Look for prior experience of the lawyer
  
  If you are facing any criminal charges in New York, you must hire New York criminal defense attorneys with prior criminal defense experience. A criminal lawyer may represent a business client with a DWI charge or a minor misdemeanor.
  
  Only a criminal lawyer understands how to build a defense and prepare for a criminal trial. When looking for a criminal law attorney in New York City, it's crucial to be particular in your online searches, references, and brochures.
  
  

• Ask questions and discuss your case with a criminal lawyer
  
  In most cases, the initial consultation plays a significant role in deciding whether they want to go ahead with the case or not. Ask questions like who will be working on your case, the attorney’s experience level, how much time the attorney will be putting into your case, and so on.
  
  That should be good if you are comfortable talking to them and have received satisfactory answers. Apart from this, you also need to discuss your case with the specialist and get their viewpoints on it.
  
  

• An attorney needs to be responsive
  
  When you are facing any criminal charge, time is of the essence. Time lost means case lost. In other words, you'll need New York criminal defense attorneys who are ready to get to work as soon as your case is filed. When you contact a lawyer, they should respond to you quickly.
  
  Their legal team should be quick enough to arrange a meeting with you within one day. If they are quick to answer your phone call or email, they will probably be equally on the ball when defending your case.

So, these are some of the tips that can help you select the best criminal defense lawyer. If you are also searching for the best attorney in NY, consult our team at (212) 374-9115 for expert guidance!

How to Best Support a Victim of Police Misconduct?

With the rising cases of police brutality amongst people of color in the United States, the law enforcement system is under constant scrutiny. Excessive force used by police officers during routine questing, arrest, etc., is increasingly becoming the cause of stress and anxiety, especially for the minorities. During these unfortunate events, if a loved one or an acquaintance of yours is a victim of police brutality, support and compassion are what they need from you, followed by guidance by experienced police misconduct attorneys in New York. Outlined below are some of the best ways to help by offering personal support to a survivor of police misconduct:

• Sharing the Experience- Acknowledging the traumatic incident in its raw, brutal form may be difficult for many; however, sharing the incident by narration can be a good start. For this, they need a safe space among family, friends, and their civil rights attorneys in Manhattan to go through the incident in detail. Some may find it easy to acknowledge the misconduct and be ready to take the next step towards healing, while others may have first dealt with denial and minimization of the issue. In both cases, the survivor must feel safe at all times as they are encouraged to confide in their trusted group.
• Dealing with Negative Emotions- Reflecting back to the rising incidents of police misconduct against minorities, the victims soon become aware of this factor and suffer a myriad of self-deprecating emotions. Shame, self-blame, and internalized racism are some of the self-destructive attacks that the survivor deals with on a daily basis. The struggle intensifies as the victim will have to face these emotions in real-time over and over again, as they face the abuser and fight for their civil rights and attain justice in court.
• Coping with Anger- it has been seen by experienced civil rights attorneys in Manhattan and trauma counselors that when processing any form of trauma, self-blame and internalized devaluation often stem to make sense of the causal factors. For example, victims of police brutality may experience their ethnicity or race as a reason why they were abused, and this self-blame soon manifests itself into anger or rage in an unhealthy way of coping. Therefore, experts recommend that all trauma survivors seek professional care to help them diverge onto healthy and sustainable coping strategies, identify and validate their feelings, and channel them in healthy ways to prevent self-destructive behavior.

Survivors of misconduct at the hands of law enforcers can be a challenging experience as the victim fights for justice in court and also internally deals with the emotional aftermath of the trauma. Seeking guidance and counseling from a compassionate and experienced team of police brutality attorneys in New York is a great first start towards a healing process.

3 Vital Question To Ask Your False Arrest Lawyer.

False arrest is the act of detaining an individual on false accusations, restraining his liberty. It is an abuse of power that severely harms the victim is often considered the same as kidnapping. Most often, a false arrest is attempted by a law enforcer, i.e., the police. Alternatively, civilians also have some rights to detain a suspected person, however, only with genuine cause. Some false arrests are also attempted by security guards who, although responsible for security, constitute a false arrest if the victim poses no real threat. Thus, if you find yourself in a similar unfortunate situation, here are some crucial questions to ask your false arrest lawyers practicing law in Brooklyn:

Q. How much expertise do you have in criminal law?

A. The experience and knowledge of your lawyer can be the difference between you serving a sentence for something you didn’t do or you walking free of all false convictions. Hence, this is the most important question to ask, so you get to know your potential lawyers’ expertise and track record in similar cases to yours. Always choose lawyers who are dedicated their practice to criminal law as they are your best bet to victory.

Q. Should I talk to the police?

A. While the general recommendation is always to make a statement with the police with your lawyer present, your situation due to being already arrested could be different. Nevertheless, once you’ve hired false imprisonment attorneys from Staten Island, it’s best not to make new or alter the previously recorded statements unless your lawyer suggests so. In addition, it’s is important that any false accusations that led to your arrest aren’t fortified with your confusing statement. So, refrain from saying anything without your lawyer present.

Q. Who will take charge of my case when it proceeds towards court?

A. Many large law firms have a huge number of active cases, which is why most new cases are initially attended to by a junior associate and get handed over to a senior attorney or a case manager when the court date approaches. Hence, enquire about the procedure that is practiced by your hired team of lawyers. Additionally, it is important to maintain transparency with your false arrest lawyers so that you don’t miss any deadlines for documentation or miss any loopholes.

An experienced team of false imprisonment attorneys from Staten Island, NY are key players in ensuring that your case is strong and you get the justice you deserve. Thus, choose your team carefully!

Have You Been Caught Driving with a Suspended License? Seek Legal Assistance!

If you drive a car or drive professionally for work, it is essential to renew your license promptly. However, if you fail to renew your license or get your license suspended due to a violation of traffic laws, DUI, or any other reason, you can get in a lot of trouble. When a person gets caught driving with a suspended license, they may get severe penalties such as extended license suspension, monetary fine, and even time in jail. You may also face trouble in getting your license reinstated. Thus, it is best not to ignore the consequences of driving with a suspended license. It is recommended to consult with a criminal defense attorney in NYC for legal assistance if you get in trouble for driving without a valid license.

Whether you or your loved one made a mistake and now facing criminal charges, you should consider getting legal assistance from a criminal defense attorney. Criminal defense lawyers provide invaluable legal advice and help you build a solid defense to avoid spending a long time in prison. Therefore, if you get in trouble for a minor DUI or get your license suspended, it is best to find a criminal defense lawyer who can guide you navigate the legal proceedings. 

When your driver’s license has been revoked in New York, criminal defense attorneys can help you get the license reinstated after a specific time and guide you about the next steps to avoid further consequences. They will also help you ensure that all the legal requirements are met. Also, if you have a valid reason for the violation, the criminal defense attorneys in NYC can help you get a reduced sentence. 

Getting your license reinstated can be challenging as each state has unique traffic laws. However, criminal defense lawyers are well-versed and equipped with all the resources needed to build a strong defense case to get approval from your local state’s DMV, provided you don’t have any other outstanding fines. So, if you have been in trouble for DUI or driving with a suspended license, get in touch with our experienced team of criminal defense attorneys in NYC for expert assistance!

What To Do If You Witness Police Brutality!!

Since that fateful day when George Floyd was brutally murdered by a Minneapolis police officer, the debate regarding the bystanders’ power and powerlessness both has been aflame. If it weren't for a witness who filmed the entire incident, the case would have probably never seen the light of the day. Therefore, as the world came forward in support and agitation against the racial discrimination and increased incidents of police misconduct, brutality lawyers in Brooklyn take a stand to advise witnesses and how to react.

Being a victim of police misconduct can be unimaginable. But, if you are a bystander, the feeling of powerlessness can be crippling as there seems to be nothing one can do. Fortunately, there are some ways that you can be of help to a victim of police brutality.

According to expert police misconduct attorneys in New York, a citizen can legally make an arrest. Hence, can also intervene to stop a police officer from harming a fellow citizen. However, it may not always be safe. So, you can do the following things in your power to fight against the abuse of power by police personnel.

• Maintain a safe distance and record what is happening. The urge to intervene and save a life can overpower anyone. However, you may be arrested for doing so and might even be killed if you are a person of color. Therefore, the best thing to do is keep a safe distance pull out your phone, and fill the entire incident. Most importantly, do not let anyone tell you that you can't use your rights of recording a public incident. In fact, narrate what happens simultaneously as it can benefit the victim’s case in front of a jury.
• Details matter. As you record or narrate the incident, try to focus on the details like the arresting officer’s name or badge number, etc. Even if you are at a distance, try to note the description of the offender if you are comfortable as this may be vital in proving your stand in front of a jury.
• Call the police on a police officer. Yes, this may sound absurd, but not all police officers are the same. Hence, call another officer if you witness a police officer abusing his or her power. So, call 911 dispatch and report the incident immediately as this can help dissipate the situation and save the victim’s life.
• Wait before you post the video. Your instinct may be to live stream the whole incident to the world but it may not be safe for you as you may bear the brunt of the whole world for recording the incident instead of helping the victim. So, to avoid being subjected to cyber harassment and trolling like the minor who filmed the George Floyd incident faced, take the video to the victim’s attorney as substantial evidence rather than sharing it with the world instantly.

Therefore, the power of a witness may seem cloaked in the heat of the incident. However, you can still be of help to a victim if you remain calm. So, if you ever witness any such incident, whether it is against a stranger or someone you know, take the information to Cohen & Fitch LLP to help the victim get the justice they deserve. Contact our team to know about the legal proceedings of filing a report against police brutality.

What Happens During A False Arrest

The fourth amendment law gives a citizen the right to be free of search and seizure without a court-issued warrant. Without a legal warrant of a search or arrest, law enforcers cannot search a person, their vehicle, or enter the house without their permission. Doing so is a clear violation of their right and the victim of such treatment can press charges or raise a complaint with the police department.

A false arrest is similar to false imprisonment in some respects. According to false arrest attorneys, if a false arrest is committed by police authorities and the person has suffered physical harm, emotional distress, or other damages due to the false imprisonment, they can file an intentional tort personal injury claim against those responsible. The only legal difference between false arrest and false imprisonment is that an arrest may start out legal but may turn into false imprisonment due to the behavior, evidence produced, or other laws violated at the hands of police authorities.

Under legal definitions, an arrest can be termed as false when the police obtain a warrant with incorrect information, whether by negligence or deliberately, and then act on the warrant unlawfully to:

1.  Arrest,
2.  Detain,
3.  search the person, their home or car, etc.,
4.  Attempt to prosecute the person in the court of law,

Your false imprisonment attorney can contest the case and prove that the circumstances of the evidence collected presented at the time of arrest are circumstantial, incorrect or unlawfully obtained, making you eligible for compensation for the damages suffered by you. 

How to handle a false arrest?

As ruled by the law, a person being arrested first must be informed that he or she is being arrested. Whether it is the law enforcers or a private citizen making the arrest, they are under the obligation to announce their standing, the cause of arrest, and administer the Miranda Rights to the suspect. 

Thus, in the event that you are faced with such a circumstance, here are 3 things to do that will make your case stronger:

• Do not resist the arrest. Even if you are fully confident of your innocence, or feel that you are being framed; under no circumstances should you try to escape an arrest. It will help your case later if you follow the instructions laid out by the arresting authority and do not fight back in any verbal or physical manner.
• Your right to remain silent. When the Miranda Rights are administered, by the arresting authority, follow it by staying silent for it can and will be used against you in the court of law.
• Your right to an attorney. Once the arrest has been made and you are brought to the police station, you do not have to indulge in any interrogation without the presence of your lawyer. Even if your fourth amendment has been violated, with a false arrest, you can still demand a lawyer to be appointed to you or call your own false arrest attorney to handle your case further.

False imprisonment can be a stressful time for anyone. Hence, it’s crucial to stay calm and work to prove your innocence with an experienced false arrest and imprisonment attorney. Cohen & Fitch LLP is a team of highly reputable lawyers with multiple wins under their belts ready to represent you. So, call our offices to discuss your case at the earliest.

What You Need to Know About Wrongful Police Shootings in the U.S.

Among all the incidents of civil rights violations at the hands of law enforcement personnel, wrongful police shootings are possibly the most tragic ones. Increasing numbers of wrongful shootings are claiming the lives of hundreds of innocents and leaving many more with life-long disabilities. However, with the guidance of experienced police shooting attorneys, families of victims are coming forward to fight the system which was meant to protect their loved ones.

What constitutes wrongful shooting?

The use of lethal force by law enforcement, more than reasonably necessary, is termed as wrongful shooting. The police force can justify using firearms only if:

• There is an imminent risk to their life or the safety of others;
• The suspect is a former convict and is posing a threat;
• The suspect in question opened fire on being asked to surrender.

Apart from these situations, all shootings constitute misconduct by the police force and a violation of the citizen’s civil rights and the Constitution.

National cases like Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and Philando Castile opened the problem of police shootings to the worldview. A survey conducted to study similar wrongful deaths reported that African-Americans are more likely to get fatally shot, although they were statistically less likely to be carrying illegal items.

Know your rights.

As a citizen of the U.S., you enjoy equal civil rights irrespective of your race, color, gender, or religion. And if your rights were violated on unjustified grounds, you are entitled to compensation. Furthermore, in case of death after shooting, the victims’ families are eligible to file a lawsuit.

The unfortunate reality of the issue is very grim. Research conducted by BGSU reported that in the cases where an officer has been convicted, it is often for a lesser offense. Only four officers have been convicted of murder (there were four officers whose murder convictions were overturned, but the officers were later convicted of federal crimes arising out of the same incident). 

However, wrongful police shooting lawyers in NYC like Cohen & Fitch LLP can represent your case to the state, contesting your violated rights and demand compensation. In such cases, your attorneys will prove that the officers in question knew they were dealing with someone who did not pose a threat to themselves and others, but the officers opened fire anyway. If and when proven, you will be compensated for damages, lost companionship, pain, and suffering.

So, schedule an appointment with Cohen & Fitch to get proper guidance for your case.