New York Criminal Lawyer Blog

Published on: February 9, 2012

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement grants deferred deportation in certain cases

by Stephen Bilkis

A 31 year old man was brought to America at the age of ten, after his father had been shot. He has made his life here, formed a family and graduated from Harvard University. He has proven himself to be a valuable member of our society. Now he faces deportation back to the Philippines, but according to a New York Criminal Lawyer, he has been granted a delay of one year to get his citizenship instated and to allow him to remain in the country indefinitely as a U.S. citizen.

This does not happen often, but when it does, deferred action is usually the result of some kind of humanitarian effort made by the deportee, or some level of superior achievement that spurs the ICE toward a favorable action in that regard. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement was established because so many people come to this country and fail to go through the legal channels to become a citizen, but it also has a stake in those people, after all, they live here and many of them have lived here their entire lives.

It would be difficult to imagine being forced from the place you have called home for 21 years and required to move back to a country that is unfamiliar and even politically volatile, said the New York Criminal Lawyer, and it is refreshing to see that the laws that have been established here to keep illegal aliens from entering also serve to support those people who know no other way of life, having been brought here as children, through no fault or choice of their own.

Published on: February 9, 2012

Potential Florida immigration law causes town debate

by Stephen Bilkis

A debate ensued in Palm City, Florida, where people gathered to voice their opinions on the potential likelihood that an Arizona styled immigration enforcement law in the state, a New York Criminal Lawyer was told. Emotions ran high at the Library where over 300 people arrived for the summoning. There was standing room only.

State Representative Bill Snyder, R-Stuart, called a town meeting to get the citizens’ opinion on the proposed law. Snyder has prospered the immigration law. Supporters of both sides of the issue were allowed to voice the pros and cons of the law.

Many times throughout the meeting, Snyder asked the crowd to remain civil to each other. “It is rare that in Florida that we have an issue that engenders so much passion,” said Snyder at the meeting to the crowd.

Published on: February 9, 2012

Pop Star’s Restraining Order Easement Not Surprising

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York City Criminal Lawyer is not overwhelmed or even shocked that a popular pop star has had his sentence lightened after such a short period of time. The famous R&B singer who at 21 years old has been sentenced to five years probation, a one year domestic violence course, and community service.

The star was originally sentenced after pleading guilty to assaulting another celebrity, his ex-girlfriend, prior to the 2009 Grammy Awards. Even with the modified sentence, he is prevented from harassing or annoying girlfriend, but can speak to her if necessary. The girlfriend’s lawyer stated to a Long Island Criminal Lawyer that she was fine with the modified order. It has not yet been determined whether the man has completed the domestic violence course or the community service; however he is still on probation for the remainder of the five year sentence. The public is not outraged, but also not looking forward to the fallout if the star and his girlfriend get back together. Most fans feel that both artists are better off apart.

The question has been raised by fans of why the star did not receive jail time or at least a harsher punishment, but sources show that girlfriend, her lawyer, and the star’s lawyer came to an agreement for the lesser punishment. The girlfriend did not push the issue of trial, maybe for fear of losing or the man receiving no punishment. Public comments also reflect the thought that though the pop star is allowed to contact his ex-girlfriend, which he simply wanted the extended freedom to be able to attend awards shows. Fans and the public in general feel this break up, whether enforced by the law or not will enhance the careers of both artists for the better.

Published on: February 8, 2012

Shooting at Grocery Store Takes The Life of One Man

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Criminal Lawyer reports that one man was dead and a ten-year-old girl was wounded in the arm in a shooting at a local grocery store in Brooklyn. The police were called to the scene at approximately 7:40 Pm and emergency medical services were called to transport the girl to the hospital where is she is listed in stable condition.

The victim who lost his life apparently made it to Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center and police say he was pronounced dead about 8:00 PM from numerous gunshot wounds. The firm of Steve Bilkis and Associates are available at 1-800-NY-NY-LAW for an initial, free, no-obligation consultation when injuries such as this occur. The authorities did not release the name of either victim and have not arrested anyone as of yet.

If you have been charged with a criminal matter, speak to Stephen Bilkis and Associates for guidane. We have offices throughout New York City, including locations in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. We also have locations in Westchester County and Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island.

Published on: February 8, 2012

Steroid Provider Sentenced to One Year Reports a Long Island Criminal Lawyer

by Stephen Bilkis

A man indicted for providing steroids to professional athletes received a sentence of one year and a day in prison. The Alabama pharmacy was part of the investigation of a Phoenix naturopath who supposedly treated the athletes. A New York Criminal Lawyer reports that the accused man fled to Costa Rica.

The man had originally been interviewed on radio stations praising the therapeutic benefits of steroids. However, once he was in front of a judge, he admitted that he wished he had not made the statements. According to sources, the judge indicated that the man be allowed to serve his sentence in a halfway house.

The naturopath admitted to prescribing steroids, human growth hormone and other drugs to patients who didn’t need them for a medical reason. In 2006 the Mobile Alabama pharmacy was raided and became known as Operation Which Doctor.The drugs were distributed via an illegal Internet ring.

Published on: February 8, 2012

Stealing Vitamins Not A Good Idea Even For A Muscle Man Reports Suffolk County Criminal Lawyer

by Stephen Bilkis

At a muscle-energy supplement store, a female was doing her best to explain to the would-be thief about the various supplements. The attempted robbery occurred at the GNC store on 18th Avenue near 71st Street at 5:50 P.M. last June. A New York Criminal Lawyer are usually called in situations like this, as theft of property is definitely a reason to need someone like Steve Bilkis and Associates.

The eighteen-year-old suspect started out by asking questions about a product and then forced the manager into a back room and demanded the combination to the safe. The manager gave him the wrong number and at that point he obviously realized at that point that he didn’t have much time so he ran.

The manager was obviously thinking quickly on her feet, as she was able to direct the police to the supplement bottle that the suspect had been holding. At that point, the authorities were able to lift his prints from the bottle and make an identification of the suspect. Stephen Bilkis and Associats can be reached at 1-800-NY-NY-Law for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.

Published on: February 8, 2012

Akhilesh Arrested at Airport

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Criminal Lawyer has learned that Akhilesh was arrested at Amausi international airport on Thursday. The local police chief commented that the arrest was a preventative measure as Wednesday was the last day of the Samajwadi Party’s (SP) protest against the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) government.

When Akhilesh arrived at the airport, he was greeted by a multitude of police that immediately surrounded him and led him away, reports a New York Criminal Lawyer. He was being held at the Lucknow district jail after initially being taken to an undisclosed location.

Although he was whisked away rather abruptly before being allowed to speak with the media, as he was being escorted away he commented that, “This is dictatorship. We are not even being allowed a democratic protest.”

Published on: February 7, 2012

Bombing suspect faces foreclosure, says New York Criminal Lawyer

by Stephen Bilkis

The suspect in the failed Times Square bombing is in a state of foreclosure on his home and may be losing his home in the near future.

Faisal Shahzad stopped his mortgage payments on his Connecticut home in June of 2009. This coincided with a trip he took to Pakistan. Federal authorities believe that Shahzad took the Pakistan trip at that time to visit a terrorist training camp to help him prepare for his alleged terrorist activity here in the United States.Shahzad is a suspect in the failed Times Square bombing on May 1st. He is still in Federal custody on terrorist charges for attempting to set off a car bomb in Times Square. His attempt failed. He was arrested and is being held in Federal custody while awaiting trial on charges of terrorist crimes, says a New York Criminal Lawyer.

Now, a notice of judgment has been filed in Milford Superior Court ordering Shahzad to pay his mortgage company on his Connecticut home $213,000 or lose the home to foreclosure. He must pay the money to Chase Home Finance LLC by the end of July if he is going to stop the foreclosure procedures.

Published on: February 7, 2012

SEC Whistleblower Program Results Not Very Promising

by Stephen Bilkis

In July 2010, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched a new program for government and corporate sector employees that allowed them to safely provide information about possible fraud and other illegal activities they have witnessed or heard about. This program is part of the financial reform bill passed last year. So far, the new program has received only 168 complaints and tips. This number represents complaints and tips through February 2011, reports a New York Criminal Lawyer. But this number much lower than expected considering other whistleblower groups such as the National Whistleblowers Center and the whistleblower program run by the Department of Justice which receive hundreds of tips and complaints each year.

The National Whistleblowers Center provides informants with legal representation while the Department of Justice offers financial compensation to those that come forward. The SEC also offers financial compensation to those who choose to provide investigators with tips and other information. Informants may earn up to 30% of all monies collected in penalties or lawsuits that total more than 1 million dollars.

Specific rules governing how government and corporate sector employees file a complaint with the SEC may explain why many are hesitant to do so. Many government agencies and companies require employees to first file a complaint or provide tips through internal whistleblower programs first before filing their complaint with the SEC, says a Brooklyn Criminal Lawyer. Employees may be hesitant to file complaints with the SEC if they have to go through several agencies to do so. Filing multiple complaints may jeopardize their careers or create unwanted tension in the workplace.

Published on: February 7, 2012

Police Officers Shot at in Drug Case, states New York Criminal Lawyer

by Stephen Bilkis

Two police officers spotted a 26 year old suspect smoking marijuana at 6:15 PM at a street corner, a New York Criminal Lawyer said. The officers approached the suspect and attempted to place him under arrest when the suspect became unruly and decided to resist arrest. The officers were attempting to handcuff him at the time he opposed them. The suspect then somehow managed to gain access to the gun of one of the officers and tried to fire a bullet. A struggle then ensued with both suspect and officer attempting to gain possession of the weapon. The officer did manage to keep one hand on the barrel of the gun before the gun was fired.

The suspect discharged the gun once and although firing at point blank range, the bullet did not strike anyone or cause any damage. The suspect was attempting to fire a second time but was unable to do so because the shell casing was jammed inside the gun.

The officer was then able to regain full possession of his weapon after a major struggle and the suspect was handcuffed and placed under arrest without further incident. Charges against the suspect and further information is still pending at this time.