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50 Founders Plaza
East Hartford, CT 06108
50 Founders Plaza
East Hartford, CT 06108
After decades of the “war on drugs,” there have been few benefits of hard-line drug policies. Laws that take harsh stances against drug possession have resulted in mass incarceration, which has disproportionately affected minorities. As more and more people are jailed for low-level offenses such as possession of marijuana, communities have been devastated, and people’s lives have been destroyed. Fortunately, these harsh laws and policies may be changing soon.
The Biden Administration is currently considering reclassifying marijuana, which would be in line with how it is treated in many states. Other new policies are also being considered that would treat low-level drug offenses less harshly. While this may have a positive effect on many communities, criminal justice advocates are looking to make sure that relief will be available for people who have already been convicted and sentenced. People charged with drug crimes will need to work with an attorney to determine how they can avoid convictions or minimize the ways they will be affected.
People who are arrested and charged with crimes may be affected in many ways. A criminal conviction can result in numerous penalties and collateral consequences, including fines, jail time, probation, the loss of a professional license, limits on personal freedom, and much more. The stakes of criminal cases can be especially high for immigrants, and certain types of convictions can lead to deportation. An experienced attorney can provide guidance on the best ways to address these issues, defend against criminal convictions, and minimize the consequences a person may face.
There are a number of different offenses that may cause an immigrant to be deemed “deportable.” A person who is in the United States on a temporary, non-immigrant visa or who is a lawful permanent resident with a Green Card may be deportable because of convictions for offenses such as:
Unlike most other countries around the world, the United States still uses the death penalty in criminal cases involving charges that are considered to be especially serious, such as murder. While nearly half of the states in the country, including Connecticut, have abolished the death penalty, it continues to be legal in 27 states. Protestors and criminal justice advocates have argued against the use of capital punishment, and one issue that has been cited in recent years involves the injustices perpetuated by the criminal justice system, which punishes Black people at much higher rates than white people.
Recent research indicates that these disparities exist when carrying out the death penalty, making Black people more likely to experience problems when lethal injections are administered. These continuing injustices highlight the need for skilled legal representation in criminal cases. An attorney who understands how to advocate on behalf of people who are facing serious criminal charges can address racism and discrimination, ensuring that defendants are treated as fairly as possible.
Over the past few years, people in Connecticut have become concerned about “street takeovers,” which involve gatherings by large groups of people on public streets and parking lots that impede traffic, potentially putting others at risk of harm. In an attempt to crack down on these activities, the state’s lawmakers are considering legislation that would increase the penalties that may apply to people who organize, participate in, or even observe street takeovers.
Because of the effects that these cases may have on people who are accused of participating in street takeovers, anyone who has been arrested, charged with a violation, or had a vehicle seized will need to understand their options for defense. An attorney with experience defending clients against motor vehicle offenses can provide effective representation in these situations, helping to limit the fines that may apply, prevent license suspensions or revocations, and recover seized vehicles.
During encounters with police officers, people will often be uncertain about their rights and the steps they can take to avoid incrimination. Unfortunately, many people are pressured or compelled into allowing searches or seizures of potential evidence, which can affect their ability to defend themselves against criminal charges.
One issue that has become more prominent in recent years is whether police may be allowed to access suspects’ cell phones. Because these devices contain a great deal of information that could be pertinent to a criminal case, police will often take steps to force suspects to unlock their phones. While this would seem to be a violation of people’s rights, a recent court ruling may allow these types of searches in some situations. For those who are concerned about potential violations of their rights, an experienced attorney can provide guidance on how to address these issues while defending against a criminal conviction.
Over the past several years, the number of people who have been affected by online scams has grown considerably. These scams may take a number of forms, but they have become especially prevalent on Facebook and other social media platforms.
People who use these platforms, including many elderly people who may not be technologically sophisticated, are often fooled by deceptive ads, accounts that impersonate well-known figures, and false claims. The authorities are working to combat these scams and protect people against fraudsters who are seeking to steal people’s money or commit offenses such as identity theft or other white collar crimes.
At Woolf & Ross Law Firm, LLC, our attorney provides representation to people who have been charged with criminal offenses, including those who may face accusations of involvement in social media scams, identity theft, or money laundering. With our understanding of the state and federal laws that apply in these situations, we can help determine the best ways to respond to investigations by law enforcement and criminal charges in state or federal courts.
In recent years, people have become more aware of how much digital information about them is being tracked. Due to the constant use of smartphones, data about the locations people visit is tracked and saved. Other activities are tracked as well, such as the online searches people make, the apps they use, and the videos they watch on YouTube or other platforms. In criminal cases, police are using very broad search warrants to access this information, but the legality of these practices has been called into question.
Because of the role that data plays in so many criminal cases, it is important to understand how to defend against unlawful searches or other violations of a defendant’s rights. An experienced attorney can help determine the best ways to address these issues and defend against a conviction.
Traditionally, police officers have used search warrants to target individual people who are suspected of crimes. For instance, they may request search warrants that will allow them to tap a person’s phone, view their bank records, or search their home. However, in recent years, more and more cases have involved “reverse searches” that do not target a single person, but instead seek to access large amounts of data about multiple people in hopes of identifying potential suspects.
Being pulled over by a police officer is never a pleasant experience. While these situations can be an inconvenience for some, they can be dangerous for others, and they could lead to criminal charges beyond the initial offense that served as a reason to perform a traffic stop. Black people and other minorities are more likely to be treated harshly during traffic stops, which can escalate into violence if an officer suspects that a driver or passenger may be armed or likely to do something that could cause the officer to suffer harm. Several states, including Connecticut, are taking action to address this issue by preventing officers from performing what are known as “pretextual” traffic stops.
At Woolf & Ross Law Firm, LLC, we understand the ways police officers may violate people’s rights during traffic stops or in other situations, and we are dedicated to helping criminal defendants respond to instances of police misconduct and defend against convictions. Our attorney provides dedicated representation for people who may face accusations of drug charges, DUI, or other offenses after being pulled over by police.
On movies and TV shows that depict crimes and criminal trials, victims are often portrayed as brave people who stand up to their attackers and fight for justice. Unfortunately, in real life, many of these victims are victimized further by a justice system that takes advantage of them, fails to identify the perpetrators of their crimes, and imprisons innocent people. While criminal justice advocates are fighting back against unjust practices by law enforcement and taking steps to exonerate people who did not commit crimes for which they were convicted, some victims are also reaching out to exonerees and working together to heal.
Sadly, there are far too many cases where the wrong people are identified as criminal suspects and falsely convicted. While some of these people have taken steps to prove their innocence, often through DNA evidence, they may lose years or decades of their lives serving prison sentences for crimes they did not commit. This illustrates the importance of working with an experienced attorney during a criminal case to defend against false accusations. A skilled legal advocate can help address unreliable witness testimony and other forms of faulty evidence to help prevent a conviction, and they can fight to ensure that a person’s rights will be protected at all times.
Over the past decade, the need for police reform has become more and more evident. There have been a large number of high-profile cases in which suspects were killed by police officers who were accused of using excessive force. These include the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, George Floyd, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Tyre Nichols, and many others. While efforts have been made to reform the practices of police departments and hold officers accountable for their actions, the question remains as to whether significant progress has been made.
People who have been the victims of civil rights violations or other forms of misconduct by police officers can sometimes feel like they have no options. Because the justice system is often focused on prosecuting criminals, police officers are usually given the benefit of the doubt. For those who have been falsely accused and charged with criminal offenses after being subject to police violence or other forms of misconduct, it is important to work with an attorney who understands the best approach to take when defending against criminal charges and addressing civil rights violations.
50 Founders Plaza
