Criminal Defense

Shoplifting Charges in Connecticut: What You Need to Know

Published on: September 28, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Shoplifting Is One of the Most Common Arrests

Shoplifting is one of the most common arrests in Connecticut — and one of the most misunderstood. Every week, I hear from good people across the state who find themselves accused of taking something from a store.

Many are students under stress, professionals who made a split-second mistake, or parents distracted in a hectic moment. One mistake doesn’t define you, but the way you handle the case can shape your future.

Why Good People Get Arrested in Connecticut

Published on: September 25, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Many good people make silly mistakes

One of the most common things I hear from new clients is, “I never thought I’d be in this position.”

Good, hardworking people with no criminal record often find themselves facing charges in Connecticut. They are professionals, parents, college students, immigrants, and retirees. Many have never had a single encounter with the law before. And then, one night, one mistake, one misunderstanding, or one bad decision can suddenly change everything.

Arrested at the Stamford Train Station? Here’s What You Need to Know

Published on: September 25, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

The Stamford Transportation Center is one of the busiest train stations in New England. Thousands of commuters pass through daily, heading to New York City or up the New Haven Line. With heavy traffic comes a strong law-enforcement presence — and sometimes minor incidents or misunderstandings at the station can lead to an arrest.

When a Commute Turns into an Arrest

If you or someone you know was arrested at Stamford Transportation Center, you’re not alone. These cases are common and often resolvable with the proper defense. Below is what typically happens during a station arrest, the charges you might face, and how to protect your record.

What Happens If You’re Accused of Harassing Someone by Text in Connecticut?

Published on: September 22, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Accused of Harassment Over Text Messages? Here’s what it means.

Most people accused of harassment by text aren’t “criminals.” They’re regular people caught in an emotional moment — after a breakup, during a stressful custody dispute, or on a night when anxiety boiled over. I tell clients this all the time: you are not alone, and this one incident does not define you. There are defenses, and there are ways to protect your record.

The Law in Plain English

Why Good People Sometimes Shoplift: The Psychology, Stress, and Legal Fallout in Connecticut

Published on: September 21, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Understanding the Human Side of Shoplifting

When most people think of shoplifting, they imagine hardened criminals or people in desperate financial straits. But after more than 30 years defending clients in Connecticut, I can tell you that’s rarely the case.

The truth? A surprising number of shoplifting arrests involve people who could easily afford the item they’re accused of taking. Professionals, parents, students, retirees — the “ordinary” people who never thought they’d see themselves in handcuffs.

Can You Get Arrested for a Social Media Post in Connecticut? Where Free Speech Ends, What Police Look For, and How to Protect Yourself

Published on: September 20, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

When a Post Turns Into a Problem (Fast)

You fire off a post after a breakup. You vent in a group chat. You drop a spicy meme you think only friends will see. Then your phone rings—police want to “ask a few questions.”

This happens every week in Connecticut. What felt like a joke, a moment of anger, or just free expression can take on a life of its own once it’s screenshotted, forwarded, and read by someone who doesn’t know the backstory. A post that made sense in the moment can look very different to a judge reading it in black-and-white.

Can You Travel Out of State with a Pending Connecticut Criminal Case?

Published on: September 19, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Feeling Stuck: The Emotional Toll of Pending Charges

When you’re facing a criminal case in Connecticut, one of the first fears that comes up is: “Am I trapped here until my case is over?”

Clients tell me this all the time. Maybe you live in New York or New Jersey, but were arrested while driving through Stamford. Perhaps your family lives across the country, and you desperately want to visit them. Maybe you have a job that requires travel, or a once-in-a-lifetime event you don’t want to miss.

How Domestic Violence Arrests Affect Professional Licenses in Connecticut

Published on: September 18, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

The Fear That Goes Beyond Court

Domestic-Violence-new-Photo-300x200-300x200 A domestic violence arrest in Connecticut can shake your entire world in an instant. One moment you’re at home, maybe in the middle of an argument. Next, the police are at your door, and suddenly you’re in handcuffs, facing charges you never imagined.

The shock of that moment is overwhelming — but for many of my clients, the fear doesn’t stop there. Beyond court dates, bond conditions, and protective orders, there’s a bigger question looming: “Am I going to lose my career over this?”

The Trap of Talking: How Police Use Your Words Against You Before Reading Miranda Rights in Connecticut

Published on: September 17, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Why Miranda Rights Don’t Always Protect You Right Away

Movies and TV shows make it look simple — the police slap on handcuffs and immediately say, “You have the right to remain silent.” In real life, it doesn’t work that way. In Connecticut, officers often talk to you and ask questions long before reading your Miranda rights. And here’s the painful truth: everything you say in those moments can come back to haunt you.

I see it all the time. Good people — scared, anxious, and just trying to explain themselves — end up handing the police their strongest evidence without even realizing it. By the time they sit down with me, their words are already written into the police report.

Urban Exploring in Connecticut: When Photography Turns Into a Criminal Charge

Published on: September 10, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Is Urban Exploring Illegal in Connecticut?

Urban exploring — sometimes called “urbex” — is a hobby that’s grown in popularity over the last decade. People are fascinated by abandoned factories, forgotten hospitals, and old schools. For many, it’s about art, history, and photography. They’re not criminals — they’re adventurers with cameras, curiosity, and a love of capturing places most people never see.

The problem is that Connecticut law doesn’t make much room for curiosity. In other states, the rules may be looser, or police may turn a blind eye. But here, stepping into an abandoned building without permission is still treated as trespassing, and in some cases, it can escalate into felony burglary charges.