Domestic Violence

Connecticut Credit Card Fraud Rings: Fake Cards, Real Felonies

Published on: November 4, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

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.

Why Connecticut Takes Threatening Text Messages So Seriously (§53a-62 and §53a-61aa

Published on: October 23, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

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.

When the Wrong Person Gets Arrested for Domestic Violence in Connecticut

Published on: October 21, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

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:

From Panic to Plan: Building Calm in the Chaos of an Arrest

Published on: October 10, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal 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.

Social Media Posts and Connecticut Criminal Cases: What You Need to Know

Published on: October 2, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Why Social Media Can Ruin Your Case Before It Even Begins

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.

Why Good People Get Arrested in Connecticut

Published on: September 25, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

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.

What Happens If You’re Accused of Harassing Someone by Text in Connecticut?

Published on: September 22, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

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.

The Law in Plain English

Can You Get Arrested for a Social Media Post in Connecticut? Where Free Speech Ends, What Police Look For, and How to Protect Yourself

Published on: September 20, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

When a Post Turns Into a Problem (Fast)

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.

How Domestic Violence Arrests Affect Professional Licenses in Connecticut

Published on: September 18, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

The Fear That Goes Beyond Court

Domestic-Violence-new-Photo-300x200-300x200 A domestic violence arrest in Connecticut can shake your entire world in an instant. One moment you’re at home, maybe in the middle of an argument. Next, the police are at your door, and suddenly you’re in handcuffs, facing charges you never imagined.

The shock of that moment is overwhelming — but for many of my clients, the fear doesn’t stop there. Beyond court dates, bond conditions, and protective orders, there’s a bigger question looming: “Am I going to lose my career over this?”

Connecticut Risk of Injury to a Minor Lawyer

Published on: September 6, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Being arrested for Risk of Injury to a Minor is one of the most stressful and frightening experiences a parent or caregiver can go through. Under Connecticut law, this charge is codified in Connecticut General Statutes §53-21. It’s incredibly broad, and because of that, police often tack it onto cases where children are even near the alleged misconduct.

For example, if you are arrested for domestic violence and children are in the home, you could also face Risk of Injury charges. If you are stopped for DUI with your kids in the car, Risk of Injury is almost always added. Police use this statute as a catch-all to protect children, but it often sweeps up people who never intended to harm anyone.

The stakes could not be higher: Risk of Injury is a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a permanent felony record. Beyond that, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) typically becomes involved, placing your parental rights under scrutiny.