A fender-bender, a surge of adrenaline, horns behind you, and a split-second choice. Most people who leave the scene aren’t trying to “get away with something.” They’re scared, confused, or think it was too minor to matter. The minutes after a crash matter—but what we do together in the days…
If you’re holding a “ticket” for Breach of Peace or Disorderly Conduct, don’t let the paper fool you—that’s still a misdemeanor arrest in Connecticut. Police have two ways to process these cases: take you into physical custody or issue a misdemeanor summons on the scene. Either way, you’ve been arrested,…
How a Simple Message Can Turn into a Felony Charge – and What you can do About it It’s easy to forget that a quick text or heated message can have serious legal consequences. I’ve seen many clients arrested because of something they typed in anger or frustration — a…
When a Missed Court Date Turns into a Cross-Country Arrest Imagine you’re on a business trip or visiting family out of state when police suddenly arrest you on a Connecticut warrant. It’s shocking — but it happens all the time. As a criminal defense lawyer, I’ve handled many cases in…
Why ‘Primary Aggressor’ Laws Don’t Always Protect the Real Victim — and How to Fix It in Court Introduction It’s one of the most heartbreaking calls I get as a Connecticut criminal defense lawyer: A husband, wife, or partner is sitting in jail, terrified and confused — because they were…
The Season for Celebrations — and Legal Risks During holidays and school breaks, Connecticut police departments see a sharp increase in underage-drinking investigations — and often, parents are the ones who end up facing criminal charges. You may think you’re just keeping your kids safe by letting them “have a…
Why So Many Ordinary People End Up Arrested for “Interfering” — and How to Fight Back Introduction You’re standing on the sidewalk trying to understand why the police are arresting someone you care about. You ask a question — maybe you raise your voice — and suddenly the officer turns…
Understanding When Miranda Really Matters It’s one of the most common questions I hear from clients: “The police never read me my rights — does that mean my case gets thrown out?” Unfortunately, the answer is no, not automatically. The truth about Miranda rights in Connecticut is more nuanced. Whether…
A Second Chance When You Need It Most I tell clients this all the time — the Accelerated Rehabilitation Program, or “AR,” is one of the best opportunities our system gives people who made a mistake to get their case dismissed without having to go to trial. It’s a way to walk…
What You Need to Know About Arrest Records, Dismissals, and Erasure Laws in Connecticut It’s one of the most common and nerve-racking questions I hear: “Attorney Friedman, I was arrested, but my case was dismissed — will this show up on a background check?” For many people, being arrested for…