Getting pulled over by the police in New York is a stressful time for anyone. Unfortunately, this stressful situation is often worse for disabled individuals. In some cases, law enforcement can misread someone's disability as criminal behavior. Disabled people could...
After being arrested and taken to jail in New York, you might think that you will have the bare minimum of supplies and poor conditions to get you through. However, there are certain rights that you have as an inmate so that you feel safe and so that you are as...
A man was arrested outside of a courthouse in New York City for allegedly violating a state statute dealing with criminal contempt in the second degree. He was taken into custody for sharing information about the court system's "dirty little secret." It is a practice...
All New Yorkers deserve to be treated with respect. In spite of laws requiring police to be respectful even when arresting someone, violations occur. This is where Section 1983 comes in to protect people. What is Section 1983? Section 1983 is part of the Civil Rights...
Spending time in a New York jail could be dangerous, and inmates rely on guards to enforce rules that promote safety. Unfortunately, controversies might arise when guards become derelict in their duties. Not taking steps to break up "fight nights" organized by inmates...
Each criminal defendant has a legal right to win their case under the U.S. Constitution. The federal government has an obligation to release evidence in the defendant's favor under the Brady Rule. In New York, the use of evidence for both plaintiffs and defendants is...
A malicious prosecution is a form of legal abuse that is initiated by a member of law enforcement or a judicial system. It is committed with malicious intent by the plaintiff against the defendant. In New York, if there is no probable cause for the proceeding, the...
An advocate for constitutional and human conditions for inmates, the Prisoners’ Rights Project focuses on state prisons as well as New York City jails. Since its founding, the Project has built a record of consistent achievements relative to the treatment and...
Police officers have an unfavorable reputation for planting drugs on suspects. Because of recent news coverage, there is great interest in the matter. According to USA Today, thousands of officers receive disciplinary strikes every decade. How many are guilty of...
Civil rights are a guarantee for everyone in New York and the rest of the country to protect them from government overreach. One example is the right that allows a person to sue a police officer for false arrest. Bivens claims are a part of these rights and give...