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Case Results

Felony Public Corruption Charges Reduced to Misdemeanor

Caught for filing false and fraudulent asbestos inspection certificates with the City of New York relating to a multi-family house he was renovating, a Brooklyn contractor was facing felony charges that threatened his real estate career. Knowing he needed the help of a veteran criminal defense attorney, he reached out to Protass Law PLLC. By carefully analyzing the evidence against his client, and then convincing prosecutors from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office that that evidence did not support the charges they had been filed, attorney Harlan Protass obtained a misdemeanor, no-jail deal for his client, preserving that client’s licenses and ability to work in New York real estate.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

No Jail for Grocery Store Owner Convicted of Tax and Related Violations

A New York grocery owner was facing the possibility of years behind bars for having failed to pay tens of thousands of dollars of taxes to the IRS, paying employees off the books, and employing undocumented workers. Wanting to avoid the harsh potential penalties of a conviction, the business owner reached out to skilled criminal defense lawyer Harlan Protass. By presenting written and oral advocacy principally concerning his client’s military service and otherwise clean record, attorney Harlan Protass was able to persuade a federal judge in Brooklyn that sending his client to jail would serve no purpose whatsoever, and his client walked out of the courtroom a free man.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

Felony Assault Charges Dismissed

When a Manhattan man was arrested and charged with felony assault after his romantic partner accused him of hitting him in the head with a wooden statue, he turned to violent crimes attorney Harlan Protass to defend him. After exhaustively investigating the facts and circumstances relating to the alleged assault, attorney Protass persuaded prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office that no fight had taken place, and that his client was innocent. Prosecutors dropped all charges and sealed the arrest record, thereby protecting attorney Protass’ client against any future prejudice.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

Probation for Federal Extortion Charges

Charged in federal court in a multi-defendant RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) and extortion case, a Brooklyn man was facing the prospect of three to four years in prison when he decided to plead guilty. In need of a seasoned advocate with a deep reservoir of knowledge and experience in sentencing, he hired attorney Harlan Protass to try to mitigate the consequences of his criminal conduct. Attorney Protass not only negotiated with prosecutors to go along with a sentence of probation, but he also persuaded a federal judge that a no-jail sentence was fair, just, and appropriate given his client’s uniquely troubled personal background.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

Press & Publications

New York Law Journal

The Ex Post Clause In The Post-‘Booker’ World

Written by Harlan Protass

An in-depth analysis of federal sentencing guidelines in the wake of United States v. Booker, which rendered those guidelines advisory rather than mandatory.

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The Ex Post Clause In The Post-‘Booker’ World

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Legal Blog

31, October 2018

Myths About White-Collar Crime

Everyone has heard the phrase “white-collar crime.” But when it comes to explaining these types of offenses, people often repeat common misconceptions.

Topic: Uncategorized

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