Domestic Violence

From Texts to TikTok: How Cyberstalking and Revenge Porn Cases Are Charged in Connecticut

Published on: November 26, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

From screenshot to courtroom: what really happens in CT

One angry text. One late-night post. One private photo sent in the heat of the moment.

That’s all it can take for a “digital argument” to turn into handcuffs and a court date in Connecticut. I see it every week. Most folks who call me about cyberstalking or revenge-porn charges aren’t predators—they’re regular people in the middle of a breakup, a messy situationship, or workplace drama who never thought a phone could land them in criminal court.

No-Contact Orders and Social Media in Connecticut: Can You Like, Tag, or Watch Their Stories?

Published on: November 19, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Why “Just Looking” at Their Social Media Can Still Be a Violation

If 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:

Caught in the Squeeze: The High Stakes of Strangulation cases

Published on: November 15, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Strangulation — What You Need to Know if You Were Arrested

If 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.

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