Connecticut Criminal/DUI Defense Blog

Arson Conviction Upheld in High Profile 2006 Case

2009-07-08T15:55:00.002-04:00

Fifty-two year old Randall Licari was convicted in Bridgeport Superior Court in November of 2006 of 1st degree arson, first-degree larceny, insurance fraud, and conspiracy. The former supervisor for the New York Department of Environmental Protection was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

According to the Connecticut Post, the Connecticut Appeals Court recently upheld his conviction despite his claims that the prosecution fabricated evidence and controlled the lineup of testimony from people called by the defense at trial.

Licari’s Cape Cod style home burned to the ground in December of 2003. The family received an outpouring of support from the Red Cross and the community. They also received a sizable check from the insurance company.

Licari used this $350,000 check and gifts to build a bigger and better home following the fire. Later, the investigation into the fire was opened back up after the adult daughter of Licari stated her father started the fire himself in order to collect on the insurance policy.

Investigators found what they had formerly believed to be wrapped Christmas gifts to actually contain DuraFlame logs wrapped in Christmas paper and placed below the wires for the Christmas tree lights. Licari claimed those were a gift from his wife, despite not owning a fireplace.

The motive for the arson: financial problems. Often this is why crimes of arson take place. People get caught in rough financial times and see insurance money as a potential savior.
Arson, however, is a serious crime and not the best way to get out of debt. If caught and convicted of 1st degree arson, you could be sentenced to several years in prison and carry around a serious rap sheet for the rest of your life.

A property crime doesn’t have to be as serious as arson, however, to change your life. Criminal mischief and theft crimes also carry heavy penalties under Connecticut law.

If you are facing criminal charges and wonder if you will get a fair shake in court, let me know. Call me for a free consultation on your case today.

CT Man Allegedly Hid Crack-Cocaine in Buttocks

2009-07-06T15:43:00.002-04:00

Police were working in the Sanford Place area of Bridgeport earlier this week when they found a man hiding some serious loot.

Officers on the Strategic Enforcement Team recognized Elliot Rankin, who has previous drug convictions according to this brief article in the Connecticut Post. When they approached Rankin, however, officers noticed he was standing as if he had his buttocks clenched together.

Rankin initially denied he had anything and refused to relax. However, police were able to recover 53 small baggies containing a total of more than 5 grams of crack cocaine that Rankin had been hiding in between his buttocks.

Some may be laughing but Rankin certainly isn’t as he faces charges of possession of narcotics with intent to sell, within 1500 feet of a school, trespass, and possession of narcotics.

As the police move in on someone with drugs, it’s not uncommon for the suspect to stash the drugs wherever possible. While the pants are an obvious choice, it may be a little more unusual to find drugs between the buttocks.

Regardless of where the substance is found, facing charges for being in possession of any controlled substance is not a laughing matter.

As a matter of fact the drugs don’t even have to be on you to be charged with possession. If the police see you hide drugs or throw them away, you can be charged. If they are under the seat in your car or even under the seat of a car you are a passenger in, you can face charges.

Whether you are facing charges of possession of marijuana or something more serious like possession with intent to distribute cocaine, the experience of a criminal defense attorney on your side is crucial. Call me for a free consultation on your case today.

68-Year CT Old Woman Sentenced in DUI Crash

2009-06-25T10:22:00.002-04:00

In Bridgeport, 68-year old Barbara Preston was recently sentenced to serve 8 years of a 15 year sentence behind bars according to this article from the Connecticut Post. The harsh sentence was courtesy of Ms. Preston’s multiple offenses and the injuries sustained in the accident.

Last year Preston rear ended 47-year old Lee Everett as he sat at a red light. The force of the impact was so great that it sent Mr. Everett’s pick up about 70 feet, causing it to roll over. Everett was crushed in the accident and spent a month in a coma.

Everett has recovered enough that he was able to speak at the sentencing but his wife states that his insurance benefits are about to run out and he has racked up around $500,000 in medical bills.

This was Preston’s third drunk driving offense. She was found to be over 3 times over the legal limit and had an open beer in her car with her. At sentencing she apologized for the accident.
Preston pled guilty to first degree assault with a vehicle and a third offense DUI. She was sentenced to 15 years with 7 of those suspended.

Even a 1st offense DUI charge can be serious, with no accident or injury. If you are facing a 2nd or 2rd offense DUI, the penalties increase dramatically. For a third offense DUI you face up to 1 year in jail and permanent revocation of your license.

If you have ever faced any DUI charges, you know how inconvenient a license suspension can be. For a first time offense you may face suspension of one year in addition to fines and up to 6 months in jail. In addition, your license suspension can be extended if your Blood Alcohol Content is over .16 or twice the legal limit.

Our attorneys have successfully defended many clients from DUI and related charges. If you are facing any alcohol related charges, we may be able to help. Contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss your case.

Car Part Theft Charges Add Up

2009-06-22T15:26:00.002-04:00

Stealing from a scrap yard doesn’t seem like it could be a big money maker. Thieves have hit in Waterbury, however, and made off with quite a stash from Dana DeCapua’s livelihood, his auto scrap yard.

Catalytic converters are car parts that are definitely worth some cash. These parts clean the air from your engine and are made of expensive materials like platinum and palladium, materials that are worth about $1,200 per ounce according to this WFSB story.

Forcing their way into a scrap yard through the garage door, DeCapua estimates the thieves made off with between $5,000 and $8,000 in parts. The thieves obviously know a little something about cars to know both the value of the converters and how to remove them.
In addition to the parts, the thieves stole a van to carry them off in. A nearby garage lost a van it was working on when the thieves took it, drove it to the scrap yard, and loaded up the stolen parts.

Interestingly a few weeks ago a Honda dealership in Watertown was hit with the same type of theft, losing around $18,000 in parts.

Larceny Charges aren’t always considered minor offenses in the eyes of the court. Sure stealing candy from the convenience store didn’t seem like a big deal when you were a kid, but valuable car parts are another story. The reason this is so much more serious is because the courts base your charge on the value of the items stolen.

A stolen candy bar is a Class C misdemeanor (if charges are even filed). However, stealing over $20,000 in auto parts is a Class B Felony. We aren’t talking about a few months in county jail here. We are talking about up to 20 years in state prison.

Theft crimes can be very serious and carry quite serious penalties. If you are facing larceny charges and aren’t sure what the charges mean or how to deal with them, I can help. An experienced defense attorney is there to answer your questions and give you high quality legal advice.

A criminal theft or larceny charge in Connecticut is a serious legal problem. If you are facing charges like these, call our attorneys to discuss the details of your case today.

Long Beach West Cottage Fires Result in Arson Charges

2009-06-17T10:42:00.000-04:00

An arrest has been made in the fire that burned 4 vacant cottages on Long Beach West last March. According to the Connecticut Post, carnival amusement manager Kevin Stewart of Trumbull faces 3rd degree arson charges and is currently out on bond pending arraignment.

Stewart reportedly was seen by several witnesses the day of the fires, climbing a radio tower near the cottages and knocking down the red light used to alert aircraft. Other witnesses claim that they were invited to the empty cottages by Stewart to hang out in what he called his “fort”.

The four abandoned cottages were lit with candles, according to people who were present with Stewart the day preceding the fires. Although Stewart initially denied having anything to do with the blaze, he later stated that he may have unintentionally knocked over a candle.

Although the cottages were empty, arson is a serious criminal offense that could get Stewart a stint in prison. Property crimes like arson and criminal mischief often carry penalties that surprise the people facing those charges.

Criminal mischief is the most common property damage crime and is split into 4 categories or degrees. The charge you face for criminal mischief depends on several things including what it was that was damaged and the value of the damage done.

For a simple criminal mischief charge in Connecticut, one can face anywhere from 3 months in jail to 5 years in prison. This long range of potential penalties can cause a serious amount of uncertainty and stress when you go before the judge.

As a local criminal defense attorney, I can help you come up with the best strategy for your case. But, I can’t do that without your help. Call me today and tell me about the charges you are facing. Together we can come up with a solution.

Vandalism and Graffiti a Problem Statewide

2009-06-11T23:13:00.002-04:00

Graffiti is typically done with spray paint on the side of a building. It is often the chosen art form of gangs and bored teens. Although the expressive crime may seem like a minor offense, the consequences can be quite serious depending on the circumstances.

This article originating in Shelton details a park playground that has recently been the target of taggers. People who frequent the park are upset and don’t like having to look at the graffiti when they are there for a good time with their children.

Likewise, the same station covered some acts of vandalism occurring in Danielson, where buildings and even cars are being tagged with spray paint. The markings aren’t clearly gang related and police aren’t sure what they mean at all. What is known: business owners and the public are not happy about the emergence of this vandalism.

Vandalism is typically charged as criminal mischief in the Connecticut criminal justice system. What these vandals face if caught and convicted depends on the amount of damage they did. If the property is destroyed or damaged up to a value of $250, the offense will likely be considered 3rd degree criminal mischief.

As the damage increases, however, so do the charges and the potential penalties. For instance, 1st degree criminal mischief is the most serious criminal mischief charge and involves situations which result in more than $1500 in damages. This offense carries a potential sentence of one to five years in prison, fines, and a felony record.

Regardless of who is doing the graffiti, whether it is gang related or a teen prank, the charges can be quite serious. If you are facing criminal mischief charges for vandalism like this or another destruction of property, you need the assistance of an experienced defense attorney.

Call us for a free consultation today and we can discuss the best way to handle your case.

Trumbell CT Man Faces DUI and Slew of Other Charges

2009-05-22T12:39:00.002-04:00

Evading the police while intoxicated is a horrible way to start your week. But, that’s exactly how David Damio decided to start his early Sunday morning. It all began with a two car accident…
After being involved in an accident, Damio apparently hit the median barrier and fled the scene in an effort to not get caught. He later resisted the State Officer who put him in custody according to this short piece from the Connecticut Post.

After the arrest he was charged with several offenses including DUI, evading responsibility, interfering with a police officer, and driving in the wrong lane. Any one of these charges would be stressful but the combination surely has Damio rethinking his actions on that Sunday morning.

Simply leaving the scene of an accident, or hit and run, is a serious charge. Luckily for Damio, no one was injured in the other vehicle. Many traffic offenses like this carry serious potential penalties simply because the risk of injury to the public is so high. Reckless driving is one of those offenses that seems like a minor traffic offense but carries potential jail time.

DUI is another serious and very common offense. It isn’t clear if Damio has had prior convictions but if he has, his penalty could be exacerbated. First offense DUI carries a potential 6 months in jail as well as fines and license suspension. With a 2nd offense, that potential jail sentence climbs to up to 2 years.

Driving offenses aren’t always as minor as one might think. Crimes like this are taken seriously by the Connecticut criminal court system in an effort to prevent future offenses and injuries. Because of this, people facing these kinds of charges should come to court equipped with an experienced lawyer.

If you are facing charges similar to Damio’s or any other criminal driving offense, I may be able to help you. Contact me to discuss your case today with an experienced Connecticut criminal attorney.

College Pranks Ends in Criminal Charges

2009-05-15T09:51:00.002-04:00

Students at Central Connecticut State University thought it would be funny to pull a little prank recently. They filled the halls of their dorm building with the smoke of burnt popcorn and tied several students’ dorm room doors shut. As the fire alarms went off, many believed they were trapped in a burning building.

In the planning stages, it is likely these students thought their plan would be humorous. College pranks often seem very tasteless to the general public and it is likely these same students wouldn’t have thought it so funny if they were on the receiving end of this little joke.
According to the Connecticut Post, three students now face criminal charges and are facing a misdemeanor criminal mischief offense for this fun time and they likely aren’t laughing anymore.

What seems initially as a harmless prank can quickly turn ugly. This is certainly not the first or the last time college students face criminal charges for a prank or joke gone bad. You may even be able to look back on your college or high school days and think “Man, I’m glad we didn’t get caught doing that!”

The fact is, sometimes you do get caught though. What seems like a great plan at the time can go horribly awry. Or, perhaps no plan is involved at all. Sometimes criminal charges arise from situations that seem to be beyond your control.

Some criminal mischief charges don’t require intent at all. Simply recklessly allowing something to happen can get you charged with certain levels of this criminal charge.

If you are facing criminal charges for damage to property or criminal mischief in Connecticut, you need the assistance of an experienced attorney. Call me today to discuss your case and see what we can do together.

UConn Spring Weekend Brings Several Arrests

2009-04-29T15:52:00.001-04:00

Every year the students at the University of Connecticut take a break and get their party on. Spring weekend allows the kids to cut loose before cramming begins for final exams. During this time, parties are plentiful and so is law enforcement presence.

This year, like every year before, campus police join forces with State police as well as firefighters and EMT’s to ensure the weekend is as safe as possible. The line of thinking goes something like this: The kids are going to party regardless and we might as well make it as controlled as possible.

Despite the measures taken to keep things safe and under control, there are inevitably arrests, every year. According to WTNH, this year was no different with 12 arrests in the first night.
One of those arrests was UConn football player and co-captain Scott Lutrus who was charged with interfering with police. There was also an assault arrest made on Nikita Guryakov.

Many people think UConn is unfairly targeted and blasted in the media for this weekend when nearly every school in the nation gets a little wild at various times throughout the year. Others think that UConn students and others who frequent the off campus parties during this time, bring shame to the school name. Regardless, the weekend definitely keeps the local police busy as they try to make certain the kids are as safe as possible while they have a good time.

There is a good chance that many of the arrests during this time are for Disorderly Conduct. Disorderly conduct is a Class C misdemeanor. It can carry a potential sentence of up to 3 months in jail and fines reaching $500.

Charges like disorderly conduct or DUI are common among college students. Facing these charges can bring added headaches to young adults that should be focusing on their future. Having an experienced defense attorney to represent them, however, can help put their minds at ease.

Infamous CT Hit and Run Still Unsolved

2009-04-28T12:57:00.002-04:00

Last year footage of a hit and run made its way across the country and over the Internet. This Hartford case involved an elderly man crossing the street and being mercilessly struck by a vehicle and left for dead. The grainy video made its rounds but hasn’t been able to assist police in solving the case.

78 year old Angel Torres is now hooked up to life support which he relies on to breath for him. He is paralyzed from the neck down and doctors have given his family the option of taking him off of the machines if they choose.

Despite the crime being caught on surveillance cameras, the footage was too distorted to get a license plate number from. Police circulated the footage from department to department and even got the MGM casino’s assistance in using their technologically advanced camera systems to try and decipher the plate number. All was in naught and the police are no further now than they were last year.

This report from WFSB details that at the time of the accident there were three people in the car. The likelihood of no one knowing anything about the identity of these three suspects is very slim.

Because the original charges were misdemeanors, the statute of limitations was about to run out, making it impossible for prosecutors to pursue charges should further information about their identity be found. An additional charge of evading responsibility has been added. This felony gives the police an additional 4 years to find the people responsible for this accident.
Charges like hit and run are fairly serious even when no one gets hurt. If you hit a car and leave the scene you can lose your license and face large fines. A criminal charge in Connecticut like this can become a permanent mark on your record.

Call me today if you are facing hit and run charges and lets discuss the best strategies for your particular case.

Credit Card Fraud in Manchester CT

2009-04-16T16:56:00.001-04:00

Credit Card fraud is a more common offense than you might think. Just last week a couple was arrested at a Manchester home after the police discovered they had thousands of dollars of fraudulently obtained merchandise delivered there.

A credit card in the name of a Greenwich man was used by Sophia Grant and Orell Francis to purchase lots of high end merchandise. According to WFSB, their loot included $6,000 worth from Bergdorf Goodman, $36,000 in orders from Chanel, and $4,000 in products from Saks Fifth Avenue. All of these orders were delivered to the home where one of the suspects works as a health aide.

The Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force made the arrest in this high dollar fraud scheme. The task force is under the Secret Service, and works to solve offenses including credit card fraud, identity theft, and other similar white collar crimes.

The penalty for such offenses can be quite serious. For instance, a credit card fraud charge can be a felony, depending on the amount of money in question. The charge can carry up to 5 years in prison as well as large fines and restitution.

Other white collar crimes like identity theft and theft of a credit card are also considered serious offenses and punished accordingly by the Connecticut judicial system. Having an experienced attorney may help someone facing these charges get a better outcome in court.

If you are facing charges of credit card fraud or even bad checks, I can help. By analyzing your entire case, we can develop a defense strategy to best fit your situation and your desired outcome. Call us to discuss your case today and see how having an experienced local attorney can help.

Connecticut Police Brutality Video Released

2009-03-24T22:04:00.001-04:00

Officer Brian Lawlor was fired in 2005 following an incident of excessive force. He was also charged with 3rd degree assault, convicted and sentenced to one year suspended sentence (probation). The video from his police cruiser that caught the incident leading to his termination and charges was recently released to the public.

Officer Lawlor was involved in a police chase regarding a road rage incident. When his car rammed the suspect, he got out and confronted the driver. The suspect, Alexis Hernandez, was hit while still in the driver’s seat and beaten once pulled from the car.

The video shows Officer Lawlor repeatedly punching Hernandez with his fists though Hernandez seems to offer no resistance. According to the Associated Press, in a verbalization of his rage, Lawlor can be heard saying on the video, “That was me being gentle!”

Though there were two other officers involved in the beating, they never faced charges. The incident included Hernandez being hit, kicked, and struck with a police firearm as well. Lawlor and his attorney insist that it appeared, prior to the stop, that Hernandez had been reaching for a weapon.
Although instances like this are rare, they make the news because they show the risk that is involved with police work and the amount of power granted to officers. This type of behavior is not common in the majority of police departments, but it does happen.

Police chases, DUI checkpoints, and even traffic stops all have the potential to turn ugly. Each and every one of these police interactions can be filled with stress and tension as the police try to determine if a law has been broken and the citizen feels cornered.

Even if you have only faced a DUI, you know the tension that occurs when it is apparent that your arrest is imminent. Facing handcuffs, potential jail time, and a criminal record is stressful no matter how professional the officer handling the arrest is.

If you are facing any criminal charge and are under stress wondering how to best deal with it, contact me today.

Hartford Mayor and Two Others Arrested in Criminal Bribery Case

2009-03-05T09:51:00.001-05:00

So, no one is above the law? Apparently the Mayor of Hartford, a City Employee, and a contractor that works with the city have all been arrested on charges of bribery, among other things. While all three are innocent until proven guilty, it seems the cards may be stacked against them.

Hopefully, they have all retained experienced defense attorneys to help them through this difficult time. As with anyone facing charges within the United States judicial system, all three of the men are due their day in court.

According to this report from the State of Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice, all three have been arrested on a variety of charges, running from bribery to fabricating physical evidence. According to the reported information, Mayor Perez and Edward Lazu both received work from contractor Carlos Costa, who owns USA Contractors Inc.

Reportedly, both men had work done to their home and didn’t pay anything until questions arose. The, when paid, they paid far less than what would be the going rate for such work.
Contractor Costa alleges he was told he would not be paid for the work and understood the projects as the “price” of doing business in Hartford. However, Costa is facing charges as well. His company has many contracts with the city of Hartford totaling several million dollars, making the whole situation much more interesting.

The charges these men face range from a Class D felony, and up to 5 years in prison, to a Class C felony which carries up to 10 years behind bars. Each man is facing multiple charges. For more information on felony classification in the state of Connecticut, see this chart.

No one should be above the law and the people of Connecticut shouldn’t feel like they are being governed by someone who is breaking the law. However, we also have to allow these men to have their day in court.

It is true that the justice system is meant to protect the innocent and that is why the phrase “innocent until proven guilty” is used so much. The accused should not have to prove their innocence, rather the prosecution must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a crime has been committed.

These three men are like any other person accused of a crime, likely somewhat stressed about the whole situation. They no doubt sought a defense attorney that they felt could help them reach a positive outcome in court.

We know what it’s like to be on the defense. We know because we have successfully defended many clients in the state of Connecticut. If you are facing criminal charges and are looking for an experienced attorney, contact us to discuss your case today.

Connecticut Superior Court Judge Suspended for DUI Tirade

2009-02-12T10:38:00.002-05:00

Connecticut Superior Court Judge E. Curtissa R. Cofield was suspended from the bench for 8 months during her hearing before the Judicial Review Council on Monday. Back in October Cofield was arrested for driving under the influence and taken to Glastonbury police headquarters.

Here is where she acted out of character, according to her supporters, and used racial slurs against her arresting officers. While it seems public opinion of Judge Cofield was generally positive, there are many who think her suspension is too lenient.

According to the New Haven Register, the judge had a blood alcohol content of .17, twice the legal limit in Connecticut, at the time of her arrest. She refused to sign documents and called the police names. She insulted their intelligence and told them she was smarter than them.

Judge Cofield was confirmed to the bench in 1991 as the state’s first black female judge. She has served since that time and maintained a clean record of applying and interpreting the law. When she went in front of the council on Monday, the room was filled, mostly with her supporters.

Like all humans, it seems Cofield was going through some stress at the time of the arrest. She had recently lost her father, her mother’s home had burned down, and she was experiencing marital problems. While any one of these could cause undue stress, certainly all three seemed to push her over the edge.

The council could have suspended her for only 60 days or up to 1 year. They also could have asked that the state Supreme Court permanently remove her from the bench. They, instead, settled on an 8 month suspension for this behavior that they determined violated the code of judicial behavior of 5 counts.

Although the article doesn’t reference if the judge was convicted on her DUI charge, there are several punishments she could be facing for that criminal charge.

In Connecticut a DUI can land you an immediate driver’s license suspension, jail time, and fines. Depending on your record you could face up to 3 years in jail for a DUI charge. If you or someone you know is in need of an experienced DUI attorney in CT, contact us.

Community Interaction Team Makes Drug Arrests and Clean Up West Hartford Streets

2009-02-02T17:08:00.001-05:00

The Community Interaction Team (CIT) of the West Hartford Police Department is a proactive police unit dedicated to keeping a close eye on criminal activity in the West Hartford community. From gang activity to drug offenses, these police officers try to keep an upper hand on crime and keep it under control.

Working with local businesses the CIT knows where problems are before they become to big. By capturing the issues before they grow they hope to keep the people and businesses in the community safe. The unit works with the community, not just in it.

As this article points out, in 2008 the CIT made 607 arrests. That number is quite staggering for one team and is either evidence of their effectiveness or evidence of a growing crime problem. More than likely, however, it is a combination of both.

As of late, they have been noticing a growing heroin problem in their arrests and searches. This means more and more drug charges are entering the West Hartford courts. Users and dealers that the majority of the community was not aware of are finding their ways into the courts.
Many of these drug offenders go unnoticed by the public because that’s the way they want it. They don’t want to draw attention to themselves for fear of embarrassment and more so, fear of criminal charges. Their arrests often end in not only drug charges but theft, DUI, or other assorted criminal offenses.

They are right to be scared and to want to lay low. For a first time drug offender in CT, a heroin charge can bring up to 7 years in jail and a $50,000 fine. As repeat charges occur, they risk more and more as the sentences grow.

With the help of an experienced defense attorney, someone charged for the first time may be able to reach a plea agreement with the prosecution and possibly even only serve probation. This, of course, depends on many factors. If you or someone you know is facing charges like this, be certain to consult with an attorney who is experienced with the drug laws of Connecticut.

More CT License Plate Scanners

2008-12-03T16:46:00.002-05:00

Automatic license plate scanning technology is now in use by police in Clinton, CT. As we've previously noted, these systems are rolled out in New Haven, and are rapidly expanding to other communities and law enforcement agencies in Connecticut and nationwide.

These computer scanning systems track and identify huge numbers of license plates on vehicles, whether parked or moving. By photographing and scanning the tag number, and matching them to on-board databases, police can quickly identify stolen vehicles in a huge parking lot.

Other common uses of these systems are identifying cars who's owners may have unpaid traffic tickets, or owe municipal back taxes. When matched with court, DMV, and law enforcement records, they can also flag cars owned by individuals with suspended driver's licenses, lapsed auto insurance, outstanding criminal warrants, and more.

And it all happens absolutely passively, and constantly, while a police vehicle is driving down the street, through a parking lot, or sitting at the side of the highway. There is no doubt that these systems are huge labor and time saving devices, and can make efficient use of a police officer's shift.

But some people question what happens with all this data. Is it right that, just because you drove down the highway, or parked at a shopping mall, your presence there was scanned, and logged in a government database with GPS positioning, date and time? It is easy to envision a future where the police can track your past movements by looking up any past hits on your license plate - even though you have done nothing wrong - and aren't even suspected of doing anything illegal.

That's a large question to ask, and the civil liberties concerns are real, and deserve to be debated. But the immediate issue is that no one should believe that they can easily get away with stealing a car, driving on a suspended license, or avoiding a warrant after a failure to appear in court. It is only going to get tougher for you to hide from these problems.
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If you are arrested and charged with a crime in Connecticut, please contact our defense attorneys for a free case evaluation and legal consultation.

Monitoring Connecticut Criminals - Flaws in the System.

2008-09-22T14:38:00.005-04:00

The process of monitoring convicted criminals released on parole in Connecticut has serious limitations and flaws. The monitoring by Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) tracking costs Connecticut taxpayers nearly a million dollars a year for the technology systems and monitoring of 250 people.

And that doesn't include the expenses accrued for personnel to track town false positive location violations, due to the frequent glitches. Studies have shown that these false alarms result in police, and probation office personnel having to spend time checking out these reports that an individual being tracked was in the wrong place.

Monitoring of many of these criminals, particularly sex offenders, is an important safety precaution. But if the cost and effort outweighs the benefit, the situation needs to be seriously re-evaluated.

It may make sense for Connecticut criminal justice agents to put this use of technology on hold until more reliability and accuracy makes it worth the effort.

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For a free legal consultation on any criminal charge in Connecticut, please contact us today.

Editorial on Drinking Age Reform

2008-09-18T15:42:00.004-04:00

Interesting view on the efforts to pull back the drinking age from 21 to 18 that has been spearheaded by College presidents nationwide and in Connecticut. Known at the Amethyst Initiative, the goal is to treat drinking among young people as a behavioral issue, and not a criminal one.

The reason college presidents are leading this effort is that they find themselves on the front lines of underage drinking. College age alcohol parties are epidemic, and university presidents are put in the position of trying to control this behavior and enforcing these laws. And because enforcement and monitoring is lessened off campus, that's where most of the parties happen. This often leads to students driving drunk to return back to campus.

The larger issue is that studies show because it is illegal, the activity is driven underground, and tends to promote and enable the most irresponsible binge drinking behavior.

It is time for a rational approach to managing this problem. Underage college age drinking isn't going away. If it is out in the open, it is much easier to promote safe drinking habits and the surrounding behaviors.

Criminal Charges for Minors Go Before Juvenile Review Board

2008-09-05T15:47:00.003-04:00

In an effort to avoid criminal courts and a potential criminal record early in life, a new program aims to put juveniles before a review board. The current program, being used in Winsted, Torrington and Waterbury brings youthful offenders for minor charges before a board of local community leaders, and social service agencies.

Examples of infractions that may be referred to a review board include vandalism/criminal mischief, and theft. To be eligible for this alternative, the individual must be 16 or under, have no previous criminal history, and be recommended by the police officer.

Review boards are overseen by the towns youth services commissions, and typically meet monthly.

Typical "sentences" handed out by the juvenile review boards include counseling, or writing a letter of apology to the victim.

All in all, these boards are an excellent attempt to help at-risk youths before they become entrenched in the criminal justice system, and create an opportunity for preventing future problems. In addition, they take some of the caseload off of the frequently overburdened criminal courts in Connecticut.

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If you are facing a criminal charge in Connecticut, whether as a juvenile or an adult, please contact our defense lawyers for a free case evaluation on the charges you are facing.

More on Connecticut's Public Criminal Records

2008-07-30T13:55:00.003-04:00

The competition to sell your personal information such as public records of your criminal history continues to heat up. As I noted before, Ct is one of the few states that currently has a free state sponsored criminal record search.

Now, there are even private companies widely advertising on google and gmail for their services, even though the state offers a free version.

Information is becoming a commodity. Even free information is being resold and repackaged at a profit. In the age of vast online recordkeeping, privacy is becoming a thing of the past.

And for public information, you really need to expect it to become widely available to anyone at anytime.

If a criminal record could hold you back in life, whether now or ten years from now, consider fighting your criminal case, and looking for every conceivable opportunity to keep you from getting a criminal record.

Because once it is out there, it will never disappear. Even if you hope to be able to get a Connecticut charge and conviction expunged in the future, that past information could easily still pop up.

Data never goes away, it's always copied somewhere. Expungement could become a myth.

Your best chance to keep a criminal record from ruining your life is before you are convicted.

Story on License Plate Scanners

2008-06-09T13:56:00.003-04:00

This story was on NECN (see video) about license plate scanning technology being used in New Haven police vehicles. The technology consists of a video scanner that can passively read thousands of license plates per hour, when a police vehicle is either moving or parked by the side of the road. The license plate scans are matched to a database from the Connecticut DMV, and if any passing car has been flagged by the DMV with any known issue, the police officer is instantly alerted, and will pull over your vehicle.

The news story is specifically about tax delinquency, but this technology is also used to catch anyone with an outstanding arrest warrant, suspended driver's license, expired inspection or insurance, and any other minor traffic matter in Connecticut. Other uses can include known stolen vehicles or amber alerts.

If you've been pulled over, charged, arrested, or given a citation for any such matter, please contact our Connecticut defense attorneys for a consultation and case evaluation on your best options to defend yourself in court.

Connecticut Sex Offender Laws

2008-05-31T01:01:00.000-04:00

Governor Rell just signed a law closing a loophole in Connecticut's Sex Offender Laws. The new law makes it more difficult for a registered sex offender in Connecticut to change his or her name. A person must now declare the reason and intent for the name change to the courts, and the commissioner of public safety can challenge those reasons and the name change itself.

Being branded as a registered sex offender in Connecticut can seriously ruin your life. While there is a clear need to protect the public from dangerous sex offenders, there are also many cases when simple and innocent criminal charges in Connecticut can result in sex offender registration.

Public urination, statutory rape charges resulting from consensual sex between kids only a couple of years apart (if one happens to be of legal age) and many other situations can get you in a dangerous area. And prosecutors are often not sympathetic in these cases, even when the punishment nowhere near fits the crime. A criminal record that includes a sex offense registry can have a horrific impact on the future opportunities of a young person. It can follow you for the rest of your life, especially here in CT where all criminal charges are easily accessible public records.

If you are facing a criminal charge in Connecticut where you might be at risk of a conviction resulting in a sex offender registry requirement, please contact our Connecticut criminal law offices for a legal consultation on what you can do to prevent this from happening.

Connecticut Hate Crime Law

2008-05-30T01:32:00.000-04:00

Governor Jodi Rell signed a new hate crimes law that makes it a criminal charge in Connecticut to display a noose as a means of harassing or threatening someone.

The new law will go into effect on October 1, 2008 and was supported unanimously by the state legislature as well as the Division of Criminal Justice and and Connecticut Police Chiefs Association. The legislation resulted from some a number of recent incidents of displays of nooses in West Hartford, Stamford, Bridgeport, and New London, CT.

MADD's cozy relationship with Connecticut Law Enforcement

2008-05-29T11:04:00.004-04:00

The picture from this article, which shows the Connecticut chapter of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) at a Crime Victims Awareness event says a lot about how influential this lobbying group has become. MADD is pictured with Connecticut's Attorney General, police officers and Connecticut state prosecutors.

As DUI defense attorneys, we need to constant remind the public of the rights of the accused (not convicted). Innocent until proven guilty is an idea that is sacred in the laws and history of this country, and is enshrined in our most sacred national document, the US Constitution. Yet, in DUI cases, innocent until proven guilty is a rapidly evaporating idea.

These lobbying groups like MADD are in a large part responsible for significant and continuing restrictions to our Constitutional rights.
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If you are facing a DUI / DWI / Drunk Driving charge in Connecticut, please contact us for a free legal defense consultation and evaluation of your case. We can help you decide how to fight your charges in court, and protect your freedom and right to drive.
We never forget how the role of the defense attorney is critical to our rights as citizens.

Connecticut Crime Bill Veto?

2008-05-08T00:04:00.001-04:00

Governor Rell may veto the crime bill, thought to be a signature achievement of the administration, for budgetary reasons.

The proposed would toughen criminal sentences for some violent crimes in the wake of some recent high profile home invasions and murders in Connecticut. But the sticking point is with the cost (up to $10 million) of the increased enforcement and criminal justice expenses, from additional prosecutors and parole officers, to more state police detectives to investigate and solve these horrific crimes.

Budgetary problems are impacting law enforcement efforts and new criminal legislation across the country. Also in the news, the Governor of Tennessee announced he is abandoning plans to toughen DUI laws due to budgetary constraints. That bill was also considered a high priority before the reality of state financial shortfalls halted progress on the new laws.