When an indigent person gets arrested, the American constitution mandates that even they have the right to be represented in court. But what about those times when someone who can afford a $21,000 a month penthouse is arrested. Do they have the same right? And how does a person set about getting a ‘public defender’ anyway?
READ MOREManhattan Doctor Busted For Prescribing Unneeded Painkiller Medication
A Manhattan physician got busted for prescribing thousands of narcotics to people who did not even have a clinical exam. The pills were prescribed without any clinical indication for large sums of money. In the past 5 years alone Dr. Martin Tesher wrote more than 14,000 prescriptions for oxycodone. Dr. Tesher rarely kept any medical records and simply ignored all signs of addiction. He is set to be sentenced soon.
READ MORENew York City Implements New Policy Rules
Starting this week, New York City will have new policy rules that will prevent the practice of bringing criminal charges against individuals who are caught drinking alcohol or urinating in public. This a major win for civil right advocates who have fought New York City council to curb the harsh penalties for minor offenses like drinking or urinating in public. This new policy will also reduce the number of immigrants being deported for minor offences.
READ MORENew York’s Anti-Crime System Asks Citizens How They Are Doing
The New York Police Department has launched a new anti-crime initiative that utilizes smartphones to find out what New Yorkers think about crime, safety and how these aspects can be improved.The department plans to get data out each month and tailor their crime strategies to where the citizens show concern. The commissioner feels that getting real time information and feedback from the public can be mutually beneficial and can make the city safer.
READ MORELive Streaming Violent Crimes Will Soon Be Illegal
Since the widespread use and each access of the Internet, some people have posted violent crimes online. Most of these videos are extremely gruesome and disturbing. Since it has become too easy, such violent and senseless crimes can be posted almost anytime and from anywhere. Now, the State of New York is passing a bill […]
READ MORERaising the Age Initiative
The New York Legislature has just passed the Raise the Age initiative. For decades, the issue was contentious and divisive. This act now provides significant protection to juvenile defendants. The key feature of this initiative is how the state will deal with 16 and 17-year-old defendants. Rather than send them to adult prisons they will […]
READ MORENew York Mayor Changes Course on Riker’s Island’s Future
Imagine living in a county jail so big it’s the largest penal colony on earth. Remember, it holds between twenty and thirty thousand people on any given day. Imagine you are in an environment where the guards — correctional officers — bring drugs in by the duffle bag full and weapons are available from the […]
READ MORENew York Woman Busted in Green Card Scam
While Washington is writing and re-writing Executive Orders regarding illegal immigrants, one New York woman established herself as a one-woman dating site for illegal immigrants wanting American residence. “I apologize to the American people,” said Liana Barrientos. “I could have let people in this country who could have killed us.” Barrientos wed ten men over […]
READ MOREA Sign of the Times
When you take the subway in New York, look about. You may recognize a sign of the times, or maybe you won’t. In the 1980s, “safety zones” were constructed by the New York Transit Authority in an attempt to make taking the subway a bit less frightening. Now, those signs are coming down. Homage to […]
READ MORELessons From the Prosecution and Death of Aaron Swartz
Much has been written recently about the sad case of Aaron Swartz. Described as “a brilliant young software programmer and Internet activist,” Swartz, 26, committed suicide in January. At the time of his death, Swartz was under indictment in the District of Massachusetts for wire fraud, computer fraud, and various other cyber-crime-related offenses. The indictment […]
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