New York Paralegal Blog

You've likely seen the headlines about rapper Lil Nas X, a.k.a. Montero Hill, and his recent felony charges in Van Nuys, California. But what do those legal terms actually mean for his case? Let's break down the law so you can understand what's happening. What Is a Felony, and Why Is It So Serious? First, it's important to know the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor. In simple terms, a felony is a more serious crime that carries a potential sentence of more than one year in state prison. A misdemeanor, like a traffic violation or petty theft, usually results in less than a year in county jail and/or a fine. The charges filed against Montero Hill—three counts of felony battery with injury on a police officer and one count of felony resisting an executive officer—are serious because they are all felonies. So, what do these specific charges mean? Battery with Injury on a Police Officer: In California, "battery" is defined as any willful and...

NEW YORK- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the felony conviction of fake "plastic surgeon" Carlos Arango. In a felony complaint filed in April 2012, the Attorney General charged Carlos Arango and William Ordonez, who are not licensed doctors, along with licensed physician Marlon Castillo, for allegedly performing cosmetic surgeries on women without general anesthesia and leaving them permanently disfigured as a result.

Choreographer on the FOX television show “So You Think You Can Dance” was arrested yesterday on a felony warrant charging him with sexually assaulting four female victims VAN NUYS – Alex Da Silva, 41, was arrested at his North Hollywood home this morning by LAPD officers. The complaint for arrest warrant filed Monday by the District Attorney’s Office charges him with eight felony counts, including four counts of forcible rape, two counts of assault with intent to commit rape and two counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object. He is being held on $6.2 million bail. Deputy District Attorney Rosa Alarcon with the Sex Crimes Division said alleged assaults involve four victims between the ages of 20 and 26. The assaults occurred between August 2002 and March 2009. The alleged victims are either dancers or aspiring dancers who met him through his dance instruction classes. Da Silva is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday at Van Nuys Superior Court, Department 100, on case No. LA062814. I...

Plattsburgh Resident Faces Felony Charges in Cuomo’s Ongoing Probe of Misconduct at Nursing Homes Across New York ALBANY, N.Y. (August 6, 2009) - Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo announced the arrest of a Plattsburgh certified nurse aide (CNA) accused of text messaging a co-worker an inappropriate photo of a nursing home patient under his care. The felony complaint filed in Plattsburgh City Court charges Shane Spooner, 33, of Standish Street, Plattsburgh, New York, with unlawful surveillance in the second degree and dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the first degree, both class E felonies. Spooner, who is no longer employed at the nursing home, was arraigned before Judge Penelope Clute this morning. If convicted of the charges, Spooner faces a maximum of one and one-third to four years in prison. “These charges are a disgusting example of abuse within the walls of a New York nursing home,” said Attorney General Cuomo. “The employee allegedly violated the privacy ...

ALBANY, N.Y. (September 25, 2008) – Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the indictment of former Schenectady Police Chief Gregory Kaczmarek and his wife for taking part in a highly organized narcotics distribution organization that operated in the Capital District and was supplied from Long Island. In an indictment unsealed by Schenectady County Court Judge Karen Drago today, a Grand Jury charged Gregory Kaczmarek, 56, and his wife Lisa Kaczmarek, 48, both of Roma Street in Schenectady, with having participated in a cocaine and marijuana drug distribution ring run by Kerry “Slim” Kirkem, 40, of VanVranken Ave. in Schenectady and Guideboard Road in Waterford. Today’s indictment supersedes a May 2008 indictment that charged 24 defendants, including Lisa Kaczmarek, with being involved in a highly organized narcotic distribution network that brought cocaine and marijuana from Long Island to Schenectady. The Kaczmareks were arraigned this morning in Schenectady County Court. Ba...