New York City Criminal Defense Blog

When hearing about someone accused of improperly using or selling drugs in New York, a person might immediately conjure up a particular stereotype of who that defendant might be. A professor at a criminal justice college is not likely to be the image that results. However, today, multiple professors at the College of Criminal Justice in New York City are facing these types of allegations.

According to a report in The New York Times, at least four professors have been placed on leave with pay by the college yet other professors still actively on duty may also be the subject of allegations. Among the accusations are allegations that professors gave drugs to female students to either rape them or force them to become prostitutes. Two of the women who have made such allegations include a recent graduate of the school who is 24 years old and a current adjunct professor who is 39 years old and who previously attended the school.

New York does not necessarily have the reputation of being a theft-free city, but that fact does not excuse overzealous law enforcement and state prosecution policies that could unjustly cost you your freedom. The team here at the Brooklyn office of Neil S. Ruskin fights every day to preserve and strengthen your individual rights against this type of onslaught. 

Many of our clients contact us while they are still frightened about the future consequences of a set of charges. This is no coincidence. Law enforcement investigators often attempt to instill fear in the people they are investigating or arresting, and many of our clients naturally fall victim to this tactic. The first thing we try to do is tell them that, by calling us, they have someone on their side. 

People in New York might often wonder how a particular criminal sentence is determined when a person is convicted of a crime. The reality of the matter is that there may be multiple factors taken into consideration. Some crimes may even have mandatory minimum sentences as well as maximum sentences. When it comes to sentencing a person convicted of a white collar crime, judges may have more discretion than they would when sentencing a person for a street crime.

This potential for judge discretion is something that is highly relevant today as it can be seen in action across a range of current or recent cases. As reported by The New York Times, a former advisor to the U.S. President will spend 14 days in prison despite prosecutors attempting to receive a sentence closer to six months. Some may feel this is appropriate in part so the man can resume his life and contribute positively to society. Others point out the price he has already paid and the long-term implications he will experience from having a felony conviction.

Here in America, large companies often offset their inventory losses by accusing individuals of shoplifting and demanding compensation before the legal system convicts them of any crime. While shrewd legal and business maneuvers may help keep prices low, throwing members of the public under the bus on shaky legal grounds is something far different.

Recent reports by the New York Times shined a light on this practice, which aims to collect millions of dollars a year from former customers who may or may not have done anything wrong. According to the Times, One of the biggest retailers in the country retains a private firm to send out thousands of letters each year to accused shoplifters, asking for compensation for some alleged theft.