Anthony M. LaPinta, Esq.

"There's a natural tendency to hold law enforcement officers to a higher standard in court, but like all others accused, Mr. Van Wyen is presumed innocent," LaPinta said.

Ten years ago, I represented 16 year old Christopher Overton in what would become one of the most well know cases in the history of Long Island. After pleading guilty to felony assault as a bias crime and serving close to 8 years in state prison, Christopher has emerged as a mature, hardworking, young man committed to learning from his mistakes and helping young people understand that it takes only one wrong decision to forever change your life.

Helping to battle alcohol abuse in the NYPD by using painful lessons from a tragedy: Hopefully, Neville (Smith) can help officers who have turned to alcohol to deal with the stress and rigors of their jobs. Who better than a former NYPD officer to take on that responsibility?

In the news. News 12 - Long Island. March 26, 2018.

Thank you to the Trustees and Board of Directors of Suffolk Community College for inviting me to speak about college board ethics at their recent yearly retreat.

Committed and proud to be representing Suffolk County police officer Greg Hanrahan.

In the news: Does reversal of Silver bribery conviction bode well for Skelos and son? The LI Herald News, 7/20/17.

On September 26, 2014, Omil Carrasquillo, a thirty eight year old elementary school science teacher at P.S. 249 in East Flatbush Brooklyn, was charged with sexually abusing five of his students. His arrest drew extensive media attention. The eight year teacher, army veteran and Ground Zero national guardsman was excoriated by school officials, parents and child advocacy groups. In the eyes of many, the popular teacher instantly became an evil child molester and a danger. Mr. ...Carrasqillo steadfastly proclaimed his innocence. He explained that two initial child accusers lied and retaliated against him because he disciplined one of their friends for disruptive behavior. The other three, he explained, also lied and embellished upon otherwise appropriate contact. Two and half years later, after a three week trial, a Brooklyn jury acquitted Mr. Carrasquillo of all charges. After the verdict, he was emotional and at a loss as to how his stellar reputation as a hard working and devoted teacher could quickly be forgotten as a result of mere uncorroborated allegations made by youngsters known to be troublemakers and best friends. He is now trying to piece his life back together. When the unemployed veteran was asked what he will now do for work, he responded, "Anything, except teaching." See more

United States District Court Judge Dennis Hurley recently sentenced my client, Justin Kaliebe, to 13 years in prison, and 20 years of supervised release, for attempting to assist a known terrorist organization. Kaliebe attempted to board a plane at JFK airport to Yemen to participate in jihad, holy war, in support of al-Qaida. Kaliebe faced a possible 30 year prison sentence and lifetime post release supervision. He suffers from autism, and was only 16 years old when he first developed this plan with an undercover police agent at a Long Island Mosque. This interesting and controversial case has developed national media attention.