Thursday, October 19, 2017

Dismantling Of Motorcycle Theft Ring Is Justice Served, Attorney Jeffrey Benjamin Says

The recent dismantling of an alleged motorcycle theft ring, which was quite busy dismantling high-end motorcycles  across New York City, shows the significance of having a consumers’ rights attorney on your side. According to the New York State Attorney General’s Office,  a 36-year-old Bronx County man alongside 11 others were indicted for the alleged theft of $100,000 worth of stolen motor vehicles. The 36-year-old, who was the alleged ringleader of the so-called “Steal Crew,” has already taken a guilty plea and was sentenced to seven years in state prison plus five years of supervision following his release.

While that sentence and 11 other indictments are likely to come as a comfort to some, there are probably plenty of financial struggles unfolding for those whose motorcycles were scooped up off the streets. According to New York-based attorney Jeffrey Benjamin, this case is criminal at its core but the fact that the thieves were selling the stolen bikes for parts represents fraud because other motorcycle enthusiasts were unknowingly buying someone else’s stolen property. Since those parts were likely to enter a fraudulent market and be sold one by one for pure profit by the perpetrators, Mr. Benjamin knows this adds another layer to the crime. That’s because the origin of valuable motorcycle parts would have certainly been concealed to potential buyers. To New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, cracking this ring was an opportunity to protect fellow New Yorkers.

“We have zero tolerance for crime – whether it’s stealing motorcycles or selling drugs – and won’t hesitate to act to protect New Yorkers. We’ll continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to bring these criminals to justice,” Schneiderman said in an Oct. 18, 2017 press release.

According to the state attorney general’s office, investigators set up security cameras inside of a storage unit to allegedly capture what the thieves were up to. Authorities add that the crew -- which also allegedly dealing large amounts of heroin -- would canvass the city for high-end motorcycles such as Ducatis, break the steering column off and load them into a van. The crew then would allegedly “dismantle the motorcycles into parts and package them for shipment.”

To attorney Jeffrey Benjamin, this case takes a turn toward fraud when the motorcycles are chopped up in that manner. Since Mr. Benjamin has successfully represented clients in jury trials mainly under the New York Deceptive Practices Act and New Jersey Consumer Fraud Truth in Consumer Contract and Warranty acts, consumers looking for a skilled attorney to defend their rights as customers should look no further for legal assistance.


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Monday, August 7, 2017

Representing Yourself In Court Is A Fool’s Errand, Attorney Jeffrey Benjamin Says


In some instances, it’s rather clear that you’re going to need the skills, services, and expertise of a trained trial lawyer. At other times, the choice is a little less obvious. Every case is different so it’s understandable that you may have some doubts over whether you should pay for the services of a skilled professional such as attorney Jeffrey Benjamin. However, we firmly feel that it’s a fool’s errand to attempt to represent yourself in court. Lawyers have spent many years learning how to do what they do on a daily basis and have attained practical skills that maximize the potential for success in court. However, that’s just the beginning of why you should seriously consider professional assistance so continue reading for additional advice for retaining the right lawyer for the job.

Ask around: It’s doubtful that you’re the first person in your social circle to seek the advice of a lawyer. Thus, ask your friends and family for recommendations on finding a skilled lawyer such as Jeffrey Benjamin. If this person successfully represented someone close to you, it’s likely that they will offer a resounding recommendation. Heed their advice and there’s a better chance an issue  will be resolved in your favor.

Consider the skill sets: Lawyers excel in many different aspects of the law. Some practice family law, others can help you in bankruptcy proceedings while there are other professionals out there such as attorney Jeffrey Benjamin who can assist with various aspects of trial litigation. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to finding the right lawyer so if you plan to file a lawsuit against a person or company over sub-par services; consider lawyer Jeffrey Benjamin to help you prepare the case.

The first meeting: Not only is it important to gauge compatibility between yourself and your prospective attorney, but this is the time to ask important questions. Does this expert in law think your claims can hold water? How much will it cost you to have them represent you and how will those payments be made? How can you be of assistance in preparing the case? When going before a jury, it’s important to have a skilled trial lawyer who is both confident and comfortable.

Unless you plan to contest a parking ticket and allege major wrong-doing, you probably don’t need a lawyer to accompany you to a run-of-the-mill municipal court hearing. For everything else, it’s best practice to retain the skills of a lawyer who can help you navigate the court system toward a favorable outcome.

Monday, June 26, 2017

Major Flooding In New York Prompts Warning From Consumers’ Rights Lawyer

Recent flooding in upstate New York prompted the state attorney general’s office on June 22, 2017 to offer tips to consumers who want to avoid being scammed by construction contractors. According to local media reports, water levels at Lake Ontario are about two feet higher than they were last June and it has prompted state lawmakers to propose a package of bills designed to help owners of flood-ravaged homes.

Attorney Jeffrey Benjamin, who has successfully represented clients with claims of consumer rights violations, feels the recent move by the New York State Attorney General’s Office is worthy of attention. That’s because Mr. Benjamin has seen first-hand what happens to consumers who are taken for a ride and left stranded by the very same people who promised to help them.

Far too often, homeowners are pushed to hire contractors without signed documents stating what work will be done and how long it will take,” Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said in a press release. "That means consumers can end up with much larger bills than expected, projects that were never started or completed, or even liens against their homes. Homeowners need to know their rights, and contractors must obey the law.”

According to lawyer Jeffrey Benjamin, members of the public would do well to heed the advice of the New York attorney general. That advice includes asking for proposed project state and completion dates, the work that will be done, the materials expected to be used and the fact that the consumer has a three-day window to cancel the contract.

Mr. Benjamin, whose motto is, “Don’t be a victim. Fight fraud, pursue your legal rights,” encourages people to come forward if they think that they’ve been cheated out of services that were expected to be rendered. A fraudulent inducement case in which Mr. Benjamin achieved a landmark jury verdict illustrates his strong experience and advocacy for his clients. The fact that many of his cases fall under the New York Deceptive Practices Act proves the decades of his skills and background.

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Thursday, June 8, 2017

Seek Services of Trial Lawyer Should Your Case Come Before Judge and Jury

Should your personal life and some unfortunate circumstances ever come before judge and jury, then you’re going to be thankful that you took the time to find a skilled trial lawyer. While some attorneys are capable of crafting lawsuits or responding to claims of wrongdoing, not all are able to stand up before the court and thoroughly explain why peers on the jury should side in their client’s favor. It’s this key difference that separates the small-time lawyers from the accomplished ones and attorney Jeffrey Benjamin puts decades of experience and skill behind any case that may go to trial. Below, we offer information that’s bound to make your search for a skilled trial lawyer much more fruitful.

1) Areas of expertise: Many lawyers specialize in different aspects of the law. Some are criminal defense attorneys who are competent at going to bat for those charged with a crime. Others focus on litigation involving consumer fraud, business and commercial litigation as well as real estate and construction disputes. In civil suits such as those, you are best served by a trial lawyer who has argued cases similar to yours.
 2) Information session: To learn more about your potential lawyer’s background, attorney Jeffrey Benjamin suggests arranging a sit-down meeting to discuss your case or possible lawsuit. You’ll be able to more clearly explain the allegations against you or the ones you’d like to make against another person or entity in a lawsuit. Either way, sitting down face-to-face should provide both parties with a better idea of compatibility – especially if you decide to take the case to court.
3) Cost-benefit analysis: Why hire a lawyer with previous trial experience? For starters, it means you’re serious about your case. That likely means the other parties may want to avoid trial and move to quick settlement. With strength, experience and skill in your corner, you maximize your chance of winning in Court.