Legal Advice Blog: Legal Advice, Case Insights, & Local Law Information

Congratulations to the Richmond Hill – South Ozone Park LIONS Club for bringing the community together in celebration of this festive season of Christmas with the first Tree Lighting Ceremony in Richmond Hill. It was a huge success!!

On the eve of Trial, the Defendant, who was Indicted and charged with Assault in the Second Degree, a Class “D” Felony, was permitted to enter a plea to “Disorderly Conduct”, a Violation and not a crime, in full satisfaction of the Indictment. The allegations were that the Defendant, a Superintendent, assaulted the complaining witness, a Tenant, with a weapon. After extensive investigation of this case, it was found that the complaining witness, a former New York City Police Officer, had a criminal record and was denied various licenses, including an investigators license, based on his faulty character. Although the Brooklyn District Attorney demanded a plea of “guilty” to Felony Assault, Addabbo and Greenberg pushed this case to a Jury Trial until the District Attorney made an offer that could not be refused. Instead of a serious felony conviction, the Defendant resolved this case with a plea to “Disorderly Conduct”, a Violation and not a crime. Once again, knowledge of the law and the willingness to take a case to Trial resulted in a non-criminal disposition in a serious Felony case.

On March 14th 2015, I had the honor of meeting with the President of Guyana Donald Ramotar, community leader Romeo Hitlall and other members of the Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park community at Mr. Hitlall’s home. I am honored to be invited as part of this community — where I grew up and which my heart never left.

By AUSTIN FENNER Daily News Staff Writer A man who told the authorities he had witnessed a brutal murder of a Latino community activist was arraigned yesterday as one of the victim’s alleged killers. The activist, Armando Perez, 51, a Democratic district leader and founder of Charas/El Bohio cultural center in the East Village, was brutally beaten outside his estranged wife’s apartment at the Ravenswood Houses in Long Island City on April 3, 1999. Initially, four men were charged with killing Perez. After an investigation by the Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, the murder charges were dismissed in November 1999. Yesterday, Shaguye Colbert, 27, of Newark, N.J., was arraigned on a murder charge. Assistant District Attorney Richard Schaeffer told Queens Supreme Court Justice Robert Hanophy that Colbert was a flight risk and should be held without bail. Defense attorney Todd Greenberg told Hanophy that the facts in the case are dubious, especially since the district attorney had originally charged four other men as the alleged Perez murderers. “Not only did they have the four wrong people the first time, they have the fifth wrong person now,” said Greenberg. Prosecutors charge that Colbert and co-defendant, Malik Hill, 24, choked punched and kicked Perez to death. Investigators said both Colbert and Hill put themselves at the scene and are blaming each other for killing Perez. Schaeffer told the court that Perez had an argument with the two men because they wanted to sit on his car. Hanophy set a bail of $750,000 cash for Colbert. Hill is currently serving a prison sentence in New Jersey, said prosecutors. Original Publication Date: 2/8/02

Dominic L. Addabbo has been included in the 2013 NY Metro Super Lawyers list. This is an honor that is limited to only five percent of attorneys in New York State. Super Lawyers recognizes attorneys who have distinguished themselves in their legal practice. Mr. Addabbo has also been inducted into The National Trial Lawyers “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” group. We congratulate Mr. Addabbo on his accomplishments.

Attorney Todd Greenberg, President of Assistant District Attorney’s Association of Queens County with the Honorable Fred T. Santucci, Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, at Queens County Bar Association Dinner in honor of his retirement.

Great afternoon in Queens celebrating Guyana’s 53rd Anniversary of Independence! My appreciation to the Guyanese Community in Queens for re-vitalizing my hometown of Richmond Hill! I was joined by fellow Richmond Hillite Judge Gregory Lasak. Greg and I practiced together as Assistant District Attorneys of Queens County early in our careers. We had the pleasure of saying hello to our friend and colleague, Congressman Greg Meeks, who served as a Queens Assistant District Attorney along with us!! Congrats to the Richmond Hill – South Ozone Park Lions Club for sponsoring a great cultural event!

Andrea and I enjoyed the tremendous talent of the Artists and the elegance of New York’s City Hall.Thank You

Tune in to “48 Hours” on CBS Saturday May 10th and see attorney Todd Greenberg speak about the case of Jason Bohn who was convicted of Murder in the First Degree and sentenced to life without parole. This was a particularly difficult case involving torture and murder, an audio recording of the attack and a written confession. Despite Mr. Greenberg’s tireless efforts to establish that Mr. Bohn was acting while under an extreme emotional disturbance, the jury decided that he acted intentionally and returned a guilty verdict. Hear the intimate details as told by Mr. Greenberg, the attorney who tried the case, and witness his dedication to our client even under the most adverse circumstances. That’s Saturday, May 10th, beginning at 10pm on CBS Channel 2 NY. CBS New York: Defense Attorney: Jason Bohn Shouldn’t Be Held Responsible For Girlfriend’s Murder

Another wonderful and successful event held by the Richmond Hill South Ozone Park Lions/Leos Club, led by Lion Mary L. Diakite. A special Mother’s Day Luncheon to say Thank You to all moms. It’s was a day filled with love, laughter, and blessings.

On August 16 th, 2013, New York Criminal Attorney Todd Greenberg was successful in arguing that the defendant, who entered a “guilty” plea with another attorney to Attempted Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor, was denied effective assistance of counsel based on prior counsel’s failure to advise the Defendant that he would be deported based on the plea. Criminal Attorney Todd Greenberg filed a Criminal Procedure Law §440.10 (1) (H) Motion and was granted a Hearing. After testimony at the Hearing, based on legal Briefs filed, the Court found that the Defendant was denied effective assistance of counsel and that “…the Defendant has carried his burden of showing that he did not receive the advice regarding the effect of his conviction on his immigration status”. The Defendant was in the custody of ICE and ready to be deported when the Decision to vacate his plea was handed down and Mr. Greenberg was able to stop the deportation. If you or a family member have been denied effective assistance of counsel as guaranteed by the Constitutions of the State of New York and United States, please call New York Criminal attorney Todd Greenberg for relief.

Pagwah Parade March 26th, 2016, Queens, New York. Congratulations to these community leaders and parade organizers for a job well done. What a great cultural experience in Queens. I am honored to have been selected to the Parade Committee.