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“Don’t Come to Court”: Witness Tampering Charges (C.G.S. §§ 53a-151 & 53a-151a)

Published on: October 31, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

A single text can turn into a felony. I see it all the time: someone panics after an arrest and messages the complaining witness, a friend, or a bystander—“Please don’t show up,” “Tell them it was nothing,” or “Just say you don’t remember.” Police and prosecutors call that witness tampering or intimidating a witness, and Connecticut treats it as a serious felony offense.

What the law actually bans (in plain English)

Tampering with a Witness (C.G.S. § 53a-151).
Trying to get a witness to lie, skip court, ignore a subpoena, or withhold testimony—even if your case hasn’t been filed yet but you believe it will be. It’s a Class C felony.

Texted Your Ex After Court? Charged with Violating Conditions of Release in Connecticut—Here’s How We Beat It

Published on: October 30, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

If you walked out of court with “no-contact / stay-away” terms and then a single text, DM, or phone call triggered a brand-new arrest, you’re not alone. Connecticut takes violations of release conditions seriously—and fast. The fix is legal strategy, not guesswork.

What You’re Actually Charged With (Quick)

Violation of Conditions of Release comes in two degrees in Connecticut:

Charged with Breach of Peace 2nd or Disorderly Conduct in Connecticut? Here’s How We Get Them Dismissed

Published on: October 24, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

If you’re holding a “ticket” for Breach of Peace or Disorderly Conduct, don’t let the paper fool you—that’s still a misdemeanor arrest in Connecticut. Police have two ways to process these cases: take you into physical custody or issue a misdemeanor summons on the scene. Either way, you’ve been arrested, and the case carries the same criminal exposure in court.

In family-violence situations (arguments at home, disputes with a partner or ex), both routes are treated as domestic violence, and you must appear in court on the next business day. You’ll check in with Family Relations, the judge can issue a protective order, and conditions can change your life overnight. So even if you only got a piece of paper and never saw a holding cell, take it seriously—we’re going to protect your record and your freedom of movement from day one.

Summons vs. Handcuffs: Same Arrest, Same Stakes

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.

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.

Can You Bring Evidence or Witnesses to Family Relations in a Connecticut Domestic Violence Case?

Published on: September 16, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

We had a fight, but I never touched anyone. Now, can I be arrested for domestic violence? It’s a shocking and confusing experience.”

If you’ve been arrested for a domestic violence offense in Connecticut, one of the first things that will happen is a referral to Family Relations. Many of my clients are surprised by this — they expect to see a judge, not sit down with a Family Relations Officer. Then the questions start pouring in: Should I tell my side of the story? Should I bring texts that prove my innocence? Should I have my mother or partner come with me?

These are important questions because what happens in Family Relations can shape the rest of your case. I’ve guided hundreds of clients through this process over 30 years of defending domestic violence charges. My role is to make sure you don’t make early mistakes that make your case harder to resolve.

Top 10 Things to Know About after a DUI Arerst in CT

Published on: September 16, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Out-of-State DUI Arrests in Connecticut – What You Need to Know

Imagine driving through Greenwich or Stamford on I-95 late at night, heading home to New York or New Jersey, when suddenly you see the flashing lights of a police car. The officer suspects you of DUI, and now you’re arrested in a state where you don’t even live. This is one of Out-of-State DUI Arrests in Connecticut – What You Need to Know

the most stressful situations for out-of-state drivers — not knowing how Connecticut laws apply and what impact it will have on your license back home.

Police Searches in Connecticut: When Can They Search Your Phone?

Published on: September 7, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Introduction: The Shock of a Phone Search

Imagine being pulled over late at night. An officer looks at you and says, “Mind if I take a look at your phone?”

Your cell phone holds your entire life — texts, photos, banking apps, emails, and location history. For most people, the idea of police digging through that personal data is terrifying. The immediate question is: Can they really do that?

What to Do If You’re Falsely Arrested for Domestic Violence in Connecticut

Published on: September 5, 2025 | by Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer

Domestic-Violence-new-Photo-300x200-300x200 Getting arrested for domestic violence when you did nothing wrong is one of the most frightening experiences anyone can face. The police show up, emotions are high, and suddenly you’re being handcuffed and taken away—even if the other person never wanted you arrested in the first place.

This happens all the time in Connecticut because of the mandatory arrest law. If police believe there is any probable cause whatsoever that a family violence crime occurred, they must make an arrest. They have no choice, no discretion. Even if the alleged victim begs them not to arrest you, the law requires it.

As a criminal defense lawyer with over 30 years of experience handling domestic violence cases, I see false arrests more often than you might think. The good news is these cases are very defensible. If you act quickly and make smart decisions, you can protect your rights and position your case for dismissal.