When your docket in your Connecticut criminal case says “Judicial Pretrial” (or “JPT”), it can feel mysterious and high-stakes. Clients ask me all the time: What actually happens? Do I have to go? Here’s the plain-English version. What a Judicial Pretrial Really Is Think of a JPT as a focused…
Your Options to Keep This Off Your Record If police found a pipe, grinder, scale, or “gear” in your car or backpack, it can still lead to a criminal case—especially if the State claims it’s tied to narcotics or other controlled substances. Even after cannabis reforms, Connecticut prosecutes possession of…
From screenshot to courtroom: what really happens in CT One angry text. One late-night post. One private photo sent in the heat of the moment. That’s all it can take for a “digital argument” to turn into handcuffs and a court date in Connecticut. I see it every week. Most…
Gun Rights After a Connecticut Arrest: What to Expect and How to Protect Yourself If you own guns and you’ve just been arrested in Connecticut, the fear hits fast: “Are they going to take my guns?”“Is my pistol permit gone for good?”“Am I ever going to be able to own…
If you’ve just been arrested in Connecticut, it can feel like your entire world is crashing down at once. People worry about everything all at once— “Am I going to jail? Will I lose my job? What happens to my kids? Is this on my record forever?” Take a breath.…
Why “Just Looking” at Their Social Media Can Still Be a Violation If you’ve been arrested in Connecticut and the judge issued a no-contact order, your whole life changes overnight—especially online. I hear the same question in my office over and over: “I know I can’t call or text. But…
Charged As a “Helper”? Why CT Treats You Like the Main Actor If you’ve just learned that you or a loved one is being charged with conspiracy or as an accomplice, you’re probably thinking: “But I didn’t actually do it.” “How can they charge me with the same crime when…
Why Paying a Store’s Civil Demand Letter won’t make your Shoplifting Case Go Away If you or a family member has been arrested for shoplifting in Connecticut, you’re probably worried about more than just the criminal charge. You’re also asking yourself: “How much money am I going to have to…
Strangulation — What You Need to Know if You Were Arrested If you were arrested for strangulation in Connecticut, you’re probably scared, confused, and worried about what this means for your record, your freedom, and your family. I frequently observe this in my practice. A heated argument gets out of…
When people hear “evading responsibility” (Connecticut’s version of hit-and-run), they usually picture the driver who caused the crash and then sped away. But in my practice, I get a very different kind of call all the time: “Attorney Friedman, I wasn’t even driving. I lent my car to a friend.…