Breaking Down New York's New Criminal Record Sealing Law

Law can be quite complicated sometimes even for lawyers. That is why doctors, lawyers, and the large majority of professions are specializing and focusing their practice areas. It is my hope to break down and simplify New York's new sealing CPL 160.59 law into manageable chunks.

So how do you eat an elephant? One little bite at a time.

Using the New York Sealing Law in Multiple Courts of Conviction

Motion to Seal Criminal Record
Which New York Court?

New York will now have a sealing law in place for criminal misdemeanors and felonies beginning in October of 2017. Look at our previous blog post to see if your convictions qualify and when you can proceed to seal them. The new sealing law under New York CPL section 160.59 permits up to two criminal convictions to be sealed.

What if you have a misdemeanor conviction located in one court, and a felony conviction in yet another court and yet another county, which one do you work on to seal both? How do you get to seal both criminal convictions? What if you have two criminal convictions that are misdemeanors in two different courts? How is application made to seal both misdemeanor convictions?

Can You Seal Your Criminal Conviction Under New York's New Sealing Law 160.59?

Our surprise is New York's
New Sealing Law

In April 2017 New York State finally approved a $153 billion dollar budget bill. Much like a box of Cracker Jacks hidden inside this budget bill was a surprise legislative provision. A new law is to take effect in October of 2017 which allows for sealing of criminal records. Those convicted in 2007 or before may want to begin this process.

This is a truly historical, unprecedented, and ground breaking law. This legislation brings hope to millions of New Yorkers who were marked for life by virtue of having an old criminal conviction. New York has NO expungement law so sealing is the next best thing.

There is a lot to discuss about New York State's new criminal record sealing Criminal Procedure SEALING Law § 160.59. Giving people a fresh start is a nice surprise in my opinion.

In this blog post I'll start with the basics: who qualifies for sealing their criminal record, what offenses can be sealed, when can you apply for sealing, and how is sealing different from expungement.

Ithaca DWI Lawyer: How Do Judges Instruct Juries on DW Intoxication

Proving whether or NOT you were
Hammered is Really the Question? 

This is the last of four posts in a multi-blog series on New York Jury Instructions on DWI. The importance of what the jury instructions mean to any case can never be underestimated. Any case moving to trial (and we must assume that to be successful) MUST begin with the end in mind.

In a civil personal injury case we must prove liability and damages. In a DWI case we must defend against the charge and the sub-parts to each element of the offense.



In a DWI or DWAI drugs case this means:

1. The driving (operation)
2. The testing (breath or blood)
* Police testing can also include a DRE (drug recognition evaluation) and/or FST (field sobriety testing)
3. The legal definition of intoxication and/or impairment by alcohol and/or a drug

What is the legal definition of INTOXICATION in New York?

Can you be found legally intoxicated without a BAC test?

Ithaca DWI Lawyer: How the Judge Instructs the Jury on Breath Testing Part III

Jury Instructions are a critical part of any trial. They are the directions from the judge to the jury. He instructs them in what the law is and how to apply it legally. Remember, trials are about legal guilt and legal innocence or they should be.

There are NYS jury instructions about
DWI (chemical) breath testing 

Getting the jury instructions right and ensuring that the jury understands them is a concerted effort. The defense attorney must outline and argue their defense in light of and in accordance with the law. The law is the instructions. The instructions are the legal definitions of impairment, of intoxication, of operation, and accurate testing. It is in fact what they should consider with each and every element of the DWI case.

What must the jury be instructed about chemical (breath) testing?

What can the jury consider when looking at the chemical test result number (BAC)?

Ithaca DWI Lawyer: How a DWI Judge Instructs the Jury on Operation Part II

"Another lesson about the justice system: the way the judge charges the jury inevitably pushes them one way or the other, limits their independent judgment.” 

― Howard Zinn, You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times

Is he legally operating a car in New York?

Judges instruct the jury on how they will apply the facts to the law. These are called the jury instructions. In a New York DWI case as in any criminal case these instructions and how they are given can sway a case. It can as in the words of Howard Zinn, "push them one way or the other."

How do DWI judges instruct juries in New York about operation (driving)?

What is the importance of proper DWI jury instructions?

How can a DWI defense lawyer use jury instructions to their client's advantage?

Ithaca DWI Lawyer: How Judges Instruct the Law to Jurors is Crucial Part I

From themooreconsortium

Have you ever told somebody something and they just don't get it. You tell the same thing again and again, nada, zilch, and then you change a few words and then you speak more slowly. After awhile, a smile, then a knowing understanding emerges on their face. Well anyone in a long term relationship or who's married understands this point.

Communication is far more than the words you speak. 

Communication is facial expression, communication is cadence, It is said that 90% of communication is NOT even verbal.

Can how the judge instructs the jury effect a jury's verdict?

Can the judge instruct the jury as to confuse them about what the law is?