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…
Understanding How “Probable Cause” Really Works — and What to Do If You’re Accused Without Proof Introduction It’s one of the most shocking realities of the criminal justice system — yes, you can be arrested in Connecticut without a single piece of physical evidence. Most people assume that police need…
Understanding self-defense in Connecticut It’s late. You’re at a gas station by your car, and someone starts shouting — inches from your face, red-faced, getting closer. Your heart races. Your first instinct may be to hit them before they hit you. Before you act, take a breath. Connecticut law lets…
They think they’re safe because they never crossed the border. They sit in New York, Florida, or California behind a laptop, running a scam, stealing data, or sending money requests to Connecticut residents — convinced that as long as they never set foot here, no one can touch them. But…