Posted on January 30, 2025 in Criminal Defense

People who interact with police officers expect them to behave ethically. Even when they are investigating serious crimes, they should follow certain rules and procedures to make sure people’s rights are protected. For example, most people would agree that beating a suspect until they confess to a crime should not be allowed. However, even if physical violence during interrogations may not be permitted, police use a variety of other methods that are coercive and abusive, and this has led to people being wrongfully convicted after confessing to crimes that they did not commit.

One prominent example of abusive police tactics involves Amanda Knox, a college student who was convicted of murder in Italy. Her case is similar to many instances of abusive police tactics in the United States. Because of the methods police often use, anyone who is being questioned should be sure to exercise their right to an attorney. With a skilled Connecticut criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can make sure you are not treated unfairly or unethically, and you can take steps to defend against any charges you may face.

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 Posted on January 22, 2025 in Criminal Defense

In the United States, people rely on law enforcement officials to uphold justice. Police officers are supposed to investigate crimes using the resources available to them and perform arrests based on valid, reliable evidence. Unfortunately, many officers fail to uphold this ideal, and they often take shortcuts or make assumptions that can lead to false arrests. 

Police have come to rely on technology, including facial recognition systems that identify suspects using artificial intelligence (AI), without verifying that the information provided by these systems is correct. As a result, many people face arrests, criminal charges, and imprisonment based on shoddy police work.

People who are arrested and charged with crimes often face an uphill battle as they respond to accusations. Even when someone can show that they did not commit an offense, they may struggle to argue against technological systems that are considered infallible. Representation by a skilled Hartford, CT criminal defense attorney is crucial in these situations. An experienced lawyer can help ensure that a person’s rights are protected as they defend against a criminal conviction.

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 Posted on January 14, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental disorder that more and more people have become aware of in recent decades. While this disorder is commonly thought of as an issue that affects children, its effects can persist into adulthood. Those who struggle with ADHD may have trouble maintaining employment, and they may turn to criminal activity, which can lead to arrests, convictions, and prison sentences. Unfortunately, a lack of treatment can often make things worse, and after being released, people with ADHD are more likely to reoffend.

For people who are facing criminal charges or prisoners who are looking to re-enter society after serving their sentences, it is important to make sure issues related to ADHD are addressed correctly. During a criminal case, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help demonstrate the ways mental health issues may have affected a person’s actions, arguing for leniency and ensuring that the defendant can receive the proper treatment. A skilled Hartford, CT criminal defense lawyer can advocate for the rights of prisoners, helping them get treatment for ADHD and making sure they will be able to live productive lives after being released.

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 Posted on January 06, 2025 in Criminal Law

The justice system in the United States is supposed to treat people fairly and humanely. People who are convicted of crimes may be punished by sentences in prison, but while they are in custody, they should be safe and free from harm. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, and the recent closure of several federal prisons shows that the government is struggling to honor its commitment to justice.

People who are charged with crimes will need to understand how to protect their rights as they defend against convictions. A skilled Hartford, CT criminal defense attorney can serve as an invaluable partner in the pursuit of justice. In addition to defending against criminal charges, a lawyer can help address violations of a person’s rights while they are incarcerated and work with prisoners to seek clemency when it may be available.

Federal Bureau of Prisons Closes Institutions and Addresses Scandals

The United States Bureau of Prisons (BoP) recently announced that it would be closing several facilities throughout the country. Of these, the highest profile closure was FCI Dublin, a facility in California. This prison had experienced several scandals in recent years, with many prisoners reporting sexual abuse by corrections officers. Seven officers, including the former warden, were convicted of sexual assault, and more than 20 other staff members have been investigated and placed on leave.

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 Posted on December 31, 2024 in Criminal Defense

While many people in the United States trust the police to keep them safe, more and more are learning about the ways police can abuse their authority and harm the people they are meant to protect. As examples of excessive force and other illegal acts by police come to light, the federal government has been investigating police departments throughout the country. These investigations may spark reforms that can help ensure that people’s rights are protected.

Even though increased scrutiny of police may lead to positive changes, the people who have been affected by these illegal actions may still need to deal with legal issues related to criminal charges. Legal representation from a skilled and experienced Hartford, CT criminal defense attorney is crucial in these situations to ensure that a person’s rights will be protected.

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 Posted on December 19, 2024 in Drug Charges

The last several years have seen growing acceptance of marijuana use throughout much of the United States. Multiple states, including Connecticut, have legalized the adult use of marijuana and allowed cannabis to be sold by licensed dispensaries. Many people have hoped to see the federal government follow suit and legalize marijuana at the federal level, but following the election of Donald Trump as president, that now seems unlikely.

Since the laws surrounding marijuana seem to constantly be in flux, the possibility of drug charges for those who use, sell, distribute, or transport this substance continues to exist. Those who have been arrested for possession, distribution, manufacturing, or trafficking of cannabis or other substances will need to secure representation from a Connecticut criminal defense attorney who can help defend against criminal charges.

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 Posted on December 11, 2024 in Criminal Defense

People who are accused of crimes often feel that they are at a disadvantage when defending against criminal charges. Prosecutors have significant resources available to them, and in some cases, they may engage in misconduct that affects the fairness of criminal proceedings. One issue that can play a role in many cases is jury selection, and when prosecutors engage in discrimination and other Constitutional violations when selecting the members of a jury, this can lead to unjust results, including wrongful convictions or unfair sentences.

Because of the serious nature of criminal cases and the methods used by prosecutors to secure convictions, it is crucial for defendants to make sure they have legal representation. An experienced Hartford, CT criminal defense attorney can work to make sure a defendant’s rights are protected, and develop a strong defense strategy if necessary to address prosecutorial misconduct or other issues that led to wrongful convictions.

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 Posted on December 04, 2024 in Criminal Defense

In recent years, the practice of asset forfeiture has received a great deal of attention. Law enforcement officials can use asset forfeiture to seize money or property that they believe is connected to a crime. However, this practice has led to a great deal of abuse, including many situations where people traveling through airports while carrying large amounts of cash have had their money seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Criminal justice advocates have been fighting against this practice, and recently, the Department of Justice stepped in to prevent ongoing abuses by the DEA. People who are arrested and charged with crimes will often need to address the seizure of their assets while also determining their best options for defense against criminal charges. A skilled Hartford, CT attorney can help build a successful defense strategy while also working to recover assets that have been seized.

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 Posted on November 28, 2024 in Criminal Defense

People who are charged with sex crimes will often face harsh penalties upon conviction, including lengthy prison sentences. However, the effects of a conviction extend beyond when a person has completed their sentence, often impacting them for the rest of their life. The requirement to register as a sex offender can place numerous restrictions on a person, limiting where they can live and work and making it difficult to succeed after being released. 

What may seem like minor, technical violations of these restrictions can land a person back in prison, placing them in a cycle that may seem impossible to escape. Sadly, many people on the sex offender registry are not predators, but are instead vulnerable members of society. They include transgender people, sex workers, people addicted to drugs, people who have been victims of abuse, and others who are at risk. 

Understanding the effects of sex offender registration is not always easy, especially when defending against criminal charges. To help prevent these issues, anyone accused of a sex crime will want to work with an East Hartford, CT criminal defense attorney to determine their best options for defense.

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 Posted on November 20, 2024 in Criminal Law

The problem of mass incarceration in the United States is well-known. With around two million prisoners held in both state and federal prisons, taxpayers spend more than $80 billion annually to keep these institutions running. Conditions in prisons are harsh, and violence occurs regularly. The rates of recidivism are high, with around 65 percent of people who are released from prison being arrested and sentenced to additional prison time. Former prisoners are six times more likely to be unemployed than other people in the U.S.

While the need for prison reform is evident, there are many disagreements about what can be done to improve conditions in prison, reduce recidivism rates, and encourage rehabilitation. However, the prisons in Scandinavian countries like Norway and Sweden may provide a good example. These countries have achieved much better results from their prisons, including recidivism rates that are around 20 to 25 percent. Because of this, some prisons in the United States are looking to follow suit.

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