Why “Just Looking” at Their Social Media Can Still Be a ViolationIf you’ve been arrested in Connecticut and the judge issued a no-contact order, your whole life changes overnight—especially online.
I hear the same question in my office over and over:
Strangulation — What You Need to Know if You Were ArrestedIf you were arrested for strangulation in Connecticut, you’re probably scared, confused, and worried about what this means for your record, your freedom, and your family.
I frequently observe this in my practice. A heated argument gets out of control, the police are called, and suddenly one person is facing a serious family-violence strangulation charge based on what happened in a few chaotic seconds.
A defense guide for out-of-state “shopping crews” charged in Stamford G.A. # 1 If you were arrested in Connecticut after a retail stop where police found multiple “cloned” or encoded payment cards, gift cards, or receipts, you’re not being treated like a petty shoplifter. Prosecutors look at these cases as organized credit-card fraud—often involving skimmers, breached numbers, embossers/encoders, and gift-card laundering. The stakes are high: felony exposure, stacked counts, and immigration and travel risks if you live in New York or New Jersey.
I handle these cases every week in Stamford (GA 1) and throughout lower Fairfield County. Here’s how the system actually treats them—and how we defend them.
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 message they never35 thought would be treated as a criminal threat.
In Connecticut, sending a “threatening” text or DM can lead to charges under §53a-62 (Threatening in the Second Degree) or §53a-61aa (Threatening in the First Degree). These laws were written to protect the public, but in practice they’re often used too broadly — especially in domestic disputes, workplace conflicts, or social-media misunderstandings.
Why ‘Primary Aggressor’ Laws Don’t Always Protect the Real Victim — and How to Fix It in CourtIt’s one of the most heartbreaking calls I get as a Connecticut criminal defense lawyer:
Why the First Hours After an Arrest Matter More than You Think
When the police knock on the door or flash their lights in the rearview mirror, life can go from normal to upside down in seconds. I’ve seen it countless times over the years: good people with careers, families, and reputations suddenly find themselves cuffed, booked, and overwhelmed with fear. The first reaction is almost always the same — panic. Thoughts race: Am I going to jail? Will I lose my license? How will this affect my job or my family?
That panic is human. But it’s also where mistakes happen. Talking too much to the police, signing something you don’t understand, or missing a critical court deadline can make the situation far worse.
One of the first things police and prosecutors look at after an arrest is your social media. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and even text screenshots now appear in nearly every Connecticut criminal case.
Many of my clients never imagined that a simple post, photo, or comment could be used against them as evidence. In reality, I’ve seen prosecutors use posts made in frustration, jokes taken out of context, or old photos to convince judges and juries that someone is guilty or dangerous.
Many good people make silly mistakes
One of the most common things I hear from new clients is, “I never thought I’d be in this position.”
Good, hardworking people with no criminal record often find themselves facing charges in Connecticut. They are professionals, parents, college students, immigrants, and retirees. Many have never had a single encounter with the law before. And then, one night, one mistake, one misunderstanding, or one bad decision can suddenly change everything.
Accused of Harassment Over Text Messages? Here’s what it means.Most people accused of harassment by text aren’t “criminals.” They’re regular people caught in an emotional moment — after a breakup, during a stressful custody dispute, or on a night when anxiety boiled over. I tell clients this all the time: you are not alone, and this one incident does not define you. There are defenses, and there are ways to protect your record.
You fire off a post after a breakup. You vent in a group chat. You drop a spicy meme you think only friends will see. Then your phone rings—police want to “ask a few questions.”
This happens every week in Connecticut. What felt like a joke, a moment of anger, or just free expression can take on a life of its own once it’s screenshotted, forwarded, and read by someone who doesn’t know the backstory. A post that made sense in the moment can look very different to a judge reading it in black-and-white.
Connecticut Criminal Lawyer Blog