Nearly every school in the U.S. – whether secondary, college, or a graduate program – has a code of conduct These Codes can subject students to sanctions for violations of its terms. Although the consequences of violations can negatively impact your child's academic and professional life for de...
The pardon application process in Connecticut can be a difficult and frustrating one to navigate. Attorney Tamar Birckhead has been consistently successful in her applications for absolute pardons for her clients, which result in complete erasure of the client's official criminal record. If yo...
The importance of speaking with a lawyer BEFORE you answer any questions from the police.
When the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) receives a report of neglect or abuse, it responds immediately. Such a report can come from a mandated reporter of child abuse or neglect, such as a teacher, physician, or social worker or it can come from a neighbor, relative or ano...
A youth in Connecticut – someone under the age of 18 – who commits a misdemeanor or felony is typically charged as a juvenile. Their criminal case is then held in the juvenile justice system. There are exceptions, of course. A youth may be charged as an adult depending on the seriousness of the c...
Connecticut's laws divide crimes into felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies in Connecticut are punishable by state prison terms of one year or more. Misdemeanors are less serious crimes, punishable by 364 days or less in jail. Felonies may be capital felonies, or Class A, B, C, or D felonies; or t...
The prospect of being charged with a sex crime in Connecticut is frightening enough--your reputation, if nothing else, is at stake. What's more, however, is that a conviction will impact your life for the rest of your life. A conviction likely means you have to register as a sex offender. As such...
It does not matter whether you are a business owner, executive, healthcare provider, or another professional, if you are under investigation or already charged with a so-called white-collar crime, the consequences can be catastrophic. Not only is your reputation at stake, but you could be facing ...
You made an error in judgment and drove after drinking. You didn't think you were intoxicated but the police disagreed and charged you with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (“DUI”). Now you're panicking. You have a court date but no idea how to prepare or what to expect. This guide...
Even if you or a loved one has never been arrested before, without warning it can happen. Maybe it's for a fight that escalated into something physical. Maybe it's for a misunderstanding in a store that led to a larceny charge. Or maybe it's for an incident that stemmed from an alcohol or drug...
Driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI), or driving under the influence (DUI) are all ways to describe the same thing: intoxicated driving. Intoxication may be the result of alcohol or another chemical substance (e.g., marijuana) or both. To charge someone w...
In 1923, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Meyer v. Nebraska that each parent has the right to “establish a home and bring up children.” The state, however, has the right to intervene and protect children when the facts and circumstances call for it. The U.S. Supreme Court, in 1984, ruled in Schall...
An improper search is an illegal search that violates an individual's constitutional right to privacy. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which states: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable...
