Vans and Motorhomes Can Get Constitutional Protection Like a Home

Motorhome gets constitutional protection of 4th amendment's right to privacy

https://www.law.com/newyorklawjournal/almID/1537432804NY63502017/

In People v. Pallis, motorhome gets 4th amendment privacy rights.

A recent September 2018 New York State case of People v. Pallis affords privacy rights in a motorhome.

Motorhomes may be more like residences than automobiles where they provide increase privacy and residential necessities (see e.g. United States v. Williams, 630 F2d 1322, 1326 [9th Cir 1980]).

Vans, motorhomes, and campers maybe considered homes for 4th amendment privacy issues. NYS finds a motorhome in Brooklyn was more like a home and didn't permit the warrantless search by police.

The court will have to weigh the factors for or against: stationary vs. mobile

Including: hookups, intent, location, type of van, timing, and use

New York Conditional Discharges The Three Myths

New York conditional discharges are the most common sentencing disposition so why are they so confusing. This video destroys the three main myths about CDs in New York.



The three most common myths about Conditional Discharges:

1. Conditional discharges do not dismiss any of your criminal or non-criminal charges.

The court outlines a set of conditions or obligations which must be performed. These will usually have dates assigned for completion. The judge may require proof that you went to classes, did community service, paid fines, got a drug/alcohol evaluation, went to therapy/treatment, or other condition.



The discharge is a release from your obligations with the court.

2. Conditional discharges do not seal any of the charges.

The public will be able to assess your records. They will show up on background checks. The only way to seal any criminal charges is by filing a sealing motion (after 10 years).

3. Conditional discharges are not forever.

The CD has a specific period of time, usually one to two years from the date of sentencing. This is a general stay out of trouble or do not get re-arrested for anything.



Conditional discharges can be attached to violation level and criminal level offenses.

Ithaca DWI Lawyer: Why Does a Judge Sentence Harshly?

Harsh sentences are given for many reasons.

A recent federal medicare fraud case out of Texas has a lot of lawyers wondering. Why would a judge sentence a woman with two young kids (age 7) with stage 4 metastatic cancer to 75 years of incarceration? Well I've read through this case and have my own take on how this happened.

In our criminal defense practice I always keep two things in mind:


Why does a judge sentence harshly?

Why would a judge show leniency?