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50 Founders Plaza
East Hartford, CT 06108
50 Founders Plaza
East Hartford, CT 06108
While the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ensures that people in the United States have the right to bear arms, there are some limitations on this right. State and federal laws related to firearm possession are updated regularly, and rulings by the Supreme Court have addressed how these laws may apply. One recent decision addressed whether people who are subject to restraining orders based on accusations of domestic violence may be prohibited from possessing firearms.
Understanding the laws that apply to firearm possession can be crucial for people who have been accused of domestic abuse or other related offenses. Violations of these laws can result in weapons charges, and a person who is convicted may face serious penalties. An experienced Connecticut criminal defense attorney can provide guidance and legal representation to people in these situations, ensuring that their rights will be protected.
The laws of the United States allow people to file legal claims against police officers to address wrongful arrests and other related issues that violate their rights. When police perform arrests and bring criminal charges against someone without a valid reason to do so, this may be considered malicious prosecution. A person may file a lawsuit against police in these situations and seek to recover compensation for the harm they have suffered because of unlawful detainment or unwarranted criminal charges.
There are many situations where police may violate people's rights, but fortunately, the United States Supreme Court has upheld the ability to pursue malicious prosecution suits and address these concerns through the legal system. For those who have been treated unfairly, targeted for harassment, or experienced police misconduct, an experienced attorney can help determine the best ways to address these concerns.
Sexual assault is a crime that affects many people. Victims of sexual assault are likely to experience significant trauma, and unfortunately, this trauma may continue as they report the assaults they have experienced and seek justice for the harm they have suffered. In some cases, victims have been charged with crimes for making false reports to police. However, the Connecticut state legislature is taking action to address this issue and help protect the rights of victims.
Cases involving accusations of sexual assault can be complicated, and the rights of victims should be protected when they speak to law enforcement. At the same time, they should be treated with dignity and respect, taking care to acknowledge the trauma they have experienced and ensure that they can report what happened without fear of reprisal. For those who need to address these issues, an attorney can provide guidance while helping respond to potential criminal charges.
The United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world. Our criminal justice system often imposes harsh penalties on people who are convicted, and many are required to serve lengthy prison sentences. As prisoners get older, and as more people are convicted and sentenced, the age of the prison population has continued to increase.
Elderly prisoners face a number of issues related to humane treatment and ongoing health issues. Criminal justice advocates have worked to bring attention to this issue, hoping to implement more humane policies that will protect the rights of prisoners. Elderly people who are facing criminal charges or prisoners who are seeking compassionate release or other forms of relief can work with an attorney to determine their best legal options.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a topic that has received a great deal of attention over the past few years. Tools that allow people to easily generate text and images have been used in many ways, and some of these uses have raised concerns about people’s safety. AI may be used to create “deepfake” images and videos that appear to depict real people, and this has led to pornographic materials being released to the public without the consent of the people depicted. As more and more people are affected by these issues, state laws are being updated to impose criminal charges in these situations.
As new laws are created or existing laws are updated, understanding the potential criminal charges that may apply when people share images or videos online can be confusing. For those who have been accused of engaging in these types of activities, it is crucial to work with an attorney who understands how these laws will affect them. A skilled lawyer can provide a strong defense against criminal charges involving sharing pornographic materials or private information.
People in Connecticut who are arrested by law enforcement face a variety of criminal charges related to their alleged activities. In many cases, prosecutors will charge a person with as many offenses as possible. In addition to charges such as theft, violent crimes, or drug crimes, a person may face weapons charges because they allegedly had a firearm in their possession while committing another crime. Understanding how to defend against these charges can be difficult, which is why it is so important to secure representation from a skilled criminal defense attorney.
In recent years, some people have noted statistics related to the prosecution of weapons charges in Connecticut and raised concerns that offenders who commit these types of crimes are not being prosecuted for these offenses. In 2022, out of 601 cases involving charges of criminal possession of a firearm or ammunition, 61 percent of these charges were dismissed or were not prosecuted. In the same year, 66 percent of the 648 cases where people were charged with carrying a pistol without a permit ended in dismissals or “nolles” (the legal term for cases where prosecutors choose not to prosecute a person for a charge).
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.
50 Founders Plaza
