Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Being arrested in New York can be a frightening experience. Especially if you have never encountered law enforcement or the criminal justice system before, it is easy to feel powerless in the hands of the police. Much of the fear and anxiety associated with an arrest comes from not knowing what to expect from moment to moment, and not having any idea about what you are supposed to do to help yourself. Having an attorney on your side changes all of that in an instant. Phillip J. Murphy can help you understand your situation and know what to expect from the process. More importantly, you will have a knowledgeable, experienced New York criminal defense attorney working hard to protect your rights and get you the best outcome possible in your given situation.
• DUI/DWI
  Getting pulled over under suspicion of drunk driving can be a tense, frightening experience. Do you know your rights when pulled over? Below are some general guidelines regarding sobriety tests and chemical tests of your blood alcohol content, and other legal aspects of DWI/DUI. If you are arrested for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated in New York’s lower Hudson Valley or in Bergen County, New Jersey, call Phillip J. Murphy at 845-639-6600 for help. Our experienced New City DWI attorney can help you.
• Traffic Violations
  In order to be able to operate a motor vehicle on the roads and highways of New York, a driver must obtain a valid driver’s license. If you are stopped by law enforcement for a traffic violation, and they discover that you do not have with you a valid driver’s license, you could be ticketed for driving without a license. You can be charged with driving without a license in any of the following situations...
• Sex Crimes
  New York, New Jersey and Connecticut also all have statutes prohibiting other violent criminal offenses. Robbery means forcibly stealing property from another’s person. Domestic violence charges can involve family court as well as criminal court. A victim can ask for a restraining order against a domestic violence offender. Violence involving firearms and deadly weapons can be punished under separate statutes, and the use of a deadly weapon can act as an aggravating factor, as well. Those who are convicted of sexual assault and other violent sexual crimes must register with the sex offender registry.
• Robbery
  Taking may also be by force or by deception. Theft by deception means obtaining property through trickery or lies. A person commits robbery by taking property from another’s person. Unlawfully taking property from a house or building may be burglary. The theft of services may include getting medical care without intending to pay, or tampering with a utility meter to avoid paying for what you use.
• Burglary
• White Collar Crimes
  Theft & Shoplifting – The number of different types of property crimes outlined in state law are legion, and many offenses may be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies, depending upon the value of the item and other factors. Being convicted of shoplifting, theft, or white collar crimes such as forgery or embezzlement, can haunt you for years and affect your ability to get or keep certain jobs, professional licenses or security clearances. Persons accused of property crimes can be the subject of mistaken identity or mistaken intent, and valid, strong defenses may be available. We fight to keep people from being wrongly convicted when the evidence does not support their prosecution, or to obtain a favorable result such as restitution or probation when a trial is not recommended.
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  Also, the law provides that if you are involved in an accident that results in injury to another person, you are also required to report and stay at the scene of the accident until law enforcement arrives. Leaving the scene of the accident when you know or should know that someone suffered injury is a serious offense. A first time offense is a class B misdemeanor. If someone is killed or seriously injury in your accident, leaving the scene is automatically upgraded to a felony charge.
• Embezzlement
  In Connecticut, the crime of larceny includes offenses like embezzlement, extortion, theft of services, receiving stolen property, shoplifting, stealing automobiles, theft by deception, etc. The greater the value of what was stolen, the more serious the degree of larceny.
• Drug Crimes
  Drug trafficking is one of the most serious drug offenses that you can be charged with in New York. Indeed, a charge of drug trafficking means that you are either in possession of, moving, or are distributing large quantities of illegal drugs. Drug trafficking is both a federal offense and a state offense in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
• Assault
  New York, New Jersey and Connecticut all recognize certain factors that make an assault charge more serious. These aggravating factors include...
• Murder
  In New York State, children aged 13 or older are automatically excluded from juvenile court when charged with murder and certain offenses against the person. Children aged 14 or older are excluded from juvenile court for certain weapons and property offenses. The criminal court does have the authority to send a case back to the juvenile system in the judge’s discretion.
• Probation Violation
  Other Offenses – Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law, offers strong, effective defense of other criminal-related matters as well, including juvenile offenses and probation violations. If you have been arrested or targeted as a suspect in any criminal matter, contact our office for a free initial consultation.
• Identity Theft
• Shoplifting
  Theft means taking someone else’s property without permission. If you are suspected of a theft crime, the severity of the charges filed against you varies, depending on the value of the stolen property. Theft charges can result in fines and jail time. But because theft is a crime that goes to a defendant’s honesty, theft or shoplifting charges can affect many areas of a person’s life. An experienced New City theft & shoplifting attorney can help you protect your rights, and perhaps mitigate your charges.
• Restraining Order
• Forgery
• Manslaughter
  A third offense DUI in Connecticut is charged as a felony. New Jersey and Pennsylvania do not have felony DUI/DWI laws, although if you injure or kill someone it is possible to be charged with crimes such as vehicular assault or manslaughter.
• Extortion

Business and Corporate Law

• Trade Secrets
• Intellectual Property

Property Law

• Property Damage
  If you are involved in an accident, whether it is a single vehicle accident or an accident involving another car, motorcycle or pedestrian, you have a duty to report the accident. Some drivers panic and flee the scene of the accident. They might be scared, they might be panicking, or they may think that since no one saw them cause the accident that it’s not a big deal. But this is a violation of the law, and if you are caught, you could be charged with leaving the scene of an accident. Leaving the scene of an accident where property damage occurred is a traffic infraction and is punishable by a fine, up to 15 days of jail time or both.

Health Law

• Auto Accidents