The Mighty Have Fallen

This week, one of New York’s top law makers New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver resigned following Federal corruption charges of corruption. More specifically, the government alleges that for over ten years Silver was involved in a kickback scheme which netted him millions of dollars. The majority of the allegations involve referrals in asbestos law suits in New York City and referrals from a prominent New York personal injury law firm.

In another incident last month, a A Harrison town judge, who presided over thousands of criminal cases was arrested for driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident. After being stopped, the Judge tried to use his political influence to get out of being charged. He reportedly told the arresting officers “Come on, I’m a judge. I’ll take care of this. I’ll take care of it. We don’t have to do anything about this,” This arrest was bitter sweet for many criminal defense lawyers, because the Judge was rumored to coax lawyers into a sense of security by suggesting their clients would do better in a bench trial, but then he would sentence first time DWI offenders to jail.

These arrests follow a turbulent year with many public corruption incidents. For example a Brooklyn Democratic Assemblyman Boyland was acquitted in a Manhattan federal trial of corruption, but then arrested on new corruption charges a week later and convicted.

These arrests of public officials displays the diversity of manhood. Each of these individuals were public servants and undoubtedly did good, even great things for the communities they served. In today’s world, it can be easy to get jammed up. Our White Plains criminal defense lawyers know that sometimes good people make mistakes that can affect the rest of their lives. Our Manhattan criminal defense attorneys know that not everyone who technically transgresses the law is a demon and aggressive defense is the only way to protect the accused.