Author Archives: Friedman & Ranzenhofer

Can I Argue Self-Defense In A Rochester Area Assault (PL 120.00) Trial?

Yes, in assault cases, self-defense is considered a justification, and raising it as a defense means that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that your actions were not justified. There are a number of factors that must be addressed when arguing self-defense after an arrest for assault, however. First, your actions must be […]

How Do We Get An Order Of Protection Lifted In Rochester So We Can Work Things Out?

One of the serious and ongoing issues with New York’s domestic violence laws is that an order of protection can be instituted with relatively little effort, but lifting an order of protection can be almost impossible. Prosecutors and judges will always err on the side of safety, and if they have any concerns about a […]

The Penalties For Criminal Possession Of Marijuana In The Fifth Degree (PL 221.10) Detailed By A Rochester Area Criminal Defense Attorney

If you were caught in possession of less than two ounces of marijuana in a public place in Rochester, you were probably arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of Marijuana. This is a Class B misdemeanor that can carry a sentence of up to three months in jail, but there are many extenuating circumstances that […]

Is There Any Way A Rochester Area DWI Blood Sample Could Have Been Contaminated In The Test Tube?

When a Rochester driver suspected of driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or greater is required to submit to a blood test, the blood sample usually is placed in a sealed test tube that is later submitted to a lab for testing. While the sealing of the tube may help prevent deliberate tampering […]

Are There Any Conditional Driver’s Licenses Available In The Rochester Area If You Refuse The Breath Test?

New York’s laws are designed to strongly discourage drivers suspected of drinking and driving from refusing to take a breath test. A Rochester driver who is a first time DWI offender and who refuses the breath test will have his or her driver’s license revoked for one year. If the driver has previously refused a […]

What Has To Be Proven In The Rochester Area To Convict A Driver Of Misdemeanor Driving While Ability Impaired By Alcohol?

When a Rochester driver is arrested for Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol, he or she will usually be charged with a traffic infraction. If that driver has previously been convicted two or more times in the past ten years of any alcohol-related or drug-related driving offenses, however, the charge will be raised to a […]

What Are The Standardized Field Sobriety Tests Used To Test A Driver For DWI In The Rochester Area?

Experienced Rochester DWI lawyers have seen a great variety of field sobriety tests used by law enforcement. In some cases, police officers have even been known to ask drivers to perform tests that are difficult when sober, such as reciting the alphabet backwards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has studied the accuracy of […]

What Can I Do When My Teenager In Rochester Has Made Suicidal Threats And My Ex Doesn’t Take Them Seriously?

If you have concerns about your child’s safety, you have an obligation to pursue relief. First, if you believe your child is contemplating a suicide attempt right now, call 911. Teenagers can spiral out of control very quickly, and a teen with suicidal ideation or mental illness may require hospitalization and medication to get back […]

Our Separation Agreement Is Working Well And Has Been In Effect For A Year. Can It Be Converted To A Divorce Settlement In Rochester?

Yes, if you and your spouse needed more time to think through your options and became legally separated a year ago, you already have the framework in place for a divorce settlement. Converting a separation agreement to a divorce settlement is known as a conversion divorce, and while they’re not as common as they were […]