It’s a fact of life that a lot of people in Rochester use controlled substances recreationally, and while some may have substance abuse problems, it’s hard to see how criminal sanctions are the answer when someone is caught with a small amount of a controlled substance. With Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the […]
Author Archives: Friedman & Ranzenhofer
Knowingly and unlawfully possessing a Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V drug in Rochester is charged as Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (NY PL 220.03), a Class A Misdemeanor that can lead to a sentence of up to one year, with fine of not more than $1,000. Fortunately, there […]
Criminal Sale of Marijuana (Marihuana) in the First Degree (NY PL 221.55) is an extremely serious drug charge in Rochester that carries a sentence of between one year and five and a half years. As a Class C Felony, sales of over 16 ounces (one pound) of marijuana mean that conviction will leave you with […]
For most couples considering divorce in Rochester, their home is their most valuable asset, but it is also a possession uniquely filled with memories and hopes. How it is handled in the divorce is of overarching concern to both parties. There are general rules that govern how the house is handled, in keeping with New […]
It is common for people in the Rochester area to refer to the breath test used to determine a driver’s blood alcohol content as a “breathalyzer” test. The use of this term goes back many years. In its original meaning, it refers to a specific type of breath test machine that was widely used in […]
When a Rochester driver is arrested for drinking and driving, how long the prosecution has to bring the case to trial depends on the specific alcohol-related offense charged. If the highest offense charged is a misdemeanor, the prosecution has ninety days from the commencement the criminal action to declare readiness for trial. This applies to […]
There are specific rules regarding when the police can pull over any Rochester driver, regardless of whether that driver is suspected of drinking and driving. It is illegal for a police officer to pull over anyone without a proper basis. If the arresting officer in a DWI case cannot establish that he or she had […]
Rochester drivers arrested for drinking and driving who have prior DWI offenses often face increased jail time, higher fines and enhanced driver’s license penalties. Usually, the prosecution is barred – or at least severely limited – when it comes to bringing up prior offenses of other bad acts of the defendant in a criminal trial. […]
Criminal Sale of Marijuana (Marihuana) in the Second Degree (NY PL 221.50) in Rochester is an extremely serious criminal charge that can lead to significant prison time and a felony record that can’t be expunged. The charge itself indicates that police and prosecutors believe you sold between four ounces and one pound of marijuana, or […]
Criminal Sale of Marijuana (Marihuana) in the Third Degree (NY PL 221.45) in Rochester is charged when you’re caught selling marijuana in an amount of 25 grams to four ounces. As with other Criminal Sale of Marijuana charges, the state doesn’t have to prove that you accepted money for the marijuana, so giving a friend […]