The task force will be led by First Lady Chirlane McCray and NYPD Commissioner James O’Neil. It comprises government experts, law enforcement officials, members of social services and abuse survivors. The group has 150 days to develop and present a comprehensive, citywide strategy for tackling domestic violence.

“We are already taking steps to protect survivors’ homes and paychecks, and to hold abusers accountable,” said McCray. “Now, we’re going to focus the full force of City government to prevent domestic violence.”

The task force will address four goals, one of which is to increase conviction rates and reduce dismissal rates in domestic violence cases. Last year, four out of five city boroughs had conviction rates below 33 percent and dismissal rates of over 53 percent. Abuse survivors will also be able to partner easily with police and prosecutors to build strong cases that lead to convictions.

Another aim is to ensure abusers are held accountable through the use of precision policing which has helped reduce other types of violent crime. The task force will also develop a concrete plan to stop repeat offenders.

Such measures will make it easier to prosecute people accused of domestic violence. An experienced attorney can help fight such serious charges by building a solid defense that stands up to aggressive prosecutors seeking a conviction and harsh criminal penalties.

Passengers leaving from LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports are vulnerable to identity theft and price gouging. Uber said the fake drivers have been stealing cash and credit card information from people before they use the app to request a ride. The drivers are allegedly colluding with fixers who linger near arrival areas and aggressively solicit passengers. It is illegal for drivers to schedule or accept rides at airports without using the official Uber app.

The company conducted a 15-day review of the situation at the two airports, saying it has “reached crisis levels.” They found that scammers are making as many as 2,300 illegal rides each week.

Uber filed an official complaint with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages the metro-area airports. Company spokesman Josh Mohrer wrote a letter requesting the department to investigate the problem, saying, “In recent weeks, the conditions at the terminal have noticeably worsened.”

Identity theft, credit card fraud and related crimes are serious charges that require skilled defense. An experienced attorney can fight on the accused person’s behalf to avoid jail time.

Lamont Hamilton, 31, was arrested in January 2015 on charges of opening a fraudulent account at a Chase bank and subsequently trying to withdraw large sums of money. However, he claims he is a victim of identity theft, having had his wallet stolen in 2013. His lawsuit alleges that security footage from the bank clearly shows the perpetrator is not Hamilton and that investigators failed to examine that evidence.

On April 13, 2015, after Hamilton had been at Rikers Island for several months, prosecutors dropped the charges against him. He is suing the city, J.P. Morgan Chase, and several police officers for $5 million.

If the allegations in Hamilton’s suit are true, there is no excuse for the lack of investigative diligence and the foot-dragging that left him languishing in jail for months. At the time Hamilton claims his wallet was stolen, he was on parole for an earlier robbery conviction. Unfortunately, police and prosecutors often are quick to assume that former convicts are probably guilty of charges against them, and this can lead them to cut corners.

Anyone accused of fraud or other serious white-collar crimes needs strong legal representation. If you face criminal charges, an experienced attorney will get you out of jail as fast as possible and critically examine all available evidence. If you need legal defense, call the Brill Legal Group.

Lamont Hamilton, 31, was arrested in January 2015 on charges of opening a fraudulent account at a Chase bank and subsequently trying to withdraw large sums of money. However, he claims he is a victim of identity theft, having had his wallet stolen in 2013. His lawsuit alleges that security footage from the bank clearly shows the perpetrator is not Hamilton and that investigators failed to examine that evidence.

On April 13, 2015, after Hamilton had been at Rikers Island for several months, prosecutors dropped the charges against him. He is suing the city, J.P. Morgan Chase, and several police officers for $5 million.

If the allegations in Hamilton’s suit are true, there is no excuse for the lack of investigative diligence and the foot-dragging that left him languishing in jail for months. At the time Hamilton claims his wallet was stolen, he was on parole for an earlier robbery conviction. Unfortunately, police and prosecutors often are quick to assume that former convicts are probably guilty of charges against them, and this can lead them to cut corners.

Anyone accused of fraud or other serious white-collar crimes needs strong legal representation. If you face criminal charges, an experienced attorney will get you out of jail as fast as possible and critically examine all available evidence. If you need legal defense, call the Brill Legal Group.

One of the benefits of NORCs is that upon meeting certain requirements, such communities become eligible for funding by authorities at the local, state, and federal levels for support services that members of the older population usually require. Among those services are programs aimed at health care management and prevention, case management and social work, education, recreation, social activities and opportunities to volunteer.

NORCs originated in New York City, and are currently located throughout the U.S. and the rest of the world. A prime example of one of the advantages offered by a NORC is the Seward Park NORC-SSP Supportive Services Program in NYC, which is a place where the seniors of Seward Park can assemble to organize transportation to their doctor’s office, get a flu shot, register for meals on wheels, and engage in leisure-time activities.

Many NORCs are housing cooperatives of limited equity. When purchasing such a cooperative, you spend a lesser amount than that which you would spend on an apartment that sold at market rate. However, you are not permitted to sell the apartment at market rate; rather, you are required to sell the apartment back to the cooperative at a price that is below market rate, thereby maintaining the affordability of the cooperative.

The elder law attorneys at Hook Law Center assist Virginia families with will preparation, trust & estate administration, guardianships and conservatorships, long-term care planning, special needs planning, veterans benefits, and more. To learn more, visit http://www.hooklawcenter.com/ or call 757-399-7506.

The population of New York City is aging rapidly. There are 1 million people over the age of 65 living in the city at present, and that number is expected to increase by 50 percent by the year 2030, the fastest increase in history. Many older New Yorkers rely in part on family members who act as caregivers. A recent AARP survey found that most unpaid, family caregivers experience emotional and financial strain, making resources to help them that much more important.

One of the best sources for information and assistance for NYC caregivers is the New York City Department for the Aging, which can be reached by phone at (212) 504-4115 or on the web at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dfta/html/caregiver/support.shtml.

Another comprehensive source of information is the NYC Caregiving and Respite Directory, available from the New York State Caregiving & Respite Coalition at
http://www.nyscrc.org/documents/NewYorkCityCaregivingandRespiteMatrixMKM2_003.pdf.

For more information about our elder law services, contact Littman Krooks, LLP.