Areas Of Practice

Murder, Manslaughter and Felony Murder (Criminal Homicide)

Criminal Homicide includes murder, manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, negligent homicide, and felony murder, where a death occurs during the commission of a violent felony.

What are some defenses to a criminal homicide?

Justification is a defense. A justification defense exists when a homicide occurs as a result of someone acting in self-defense, or in defense of another person. In many cases justification is a complete defense to murder or manslaughter charges.

Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno has defended many criminal homicide cases for his clients, including:

•  Murder
•  Manslaughter
• Misconduct with a Motor Vehicle
• Negligent Homicide
• Attempted Murder

Be sure to secure an attorney that has handled many such cases. Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno has the experience necessary to defend you for any criminal homicide charges.

Sex Assault (Sex Crimes)

Have You Been Charged With A Sexual Assault?

If you have been charged with a sexual assault, you need an experienced lawyer. Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno has handled and tried sexual assault cases, with great results.

The prosecutor handling your case will have evidence that is very graphic and will use this evidence against you. Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno will review the evidence and look for weaknesses in the state’s case, and prepare a defense for you. If needed, Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno is ready to go to trial for you.

What are the consequences?

Most sexual assault charges have mandatory prison time, as well as sex offender registration.  Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno has defended against sex assault charges of all types, including:

•  Sexual assault and rape charges
• Statutory rape charges
• Solicitation of a minor charges
• Child pornography charges

Defense Against Internet Sex Crime Charges

Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno has also defended computer sex crimes. These crimes often involve the solicitation of a minor on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. The evidence in computer sex crimes is very technical and requires an experienced lawyer. Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno knows how to prepare theses types of cases and develop a strong defense.

Drug Crimes

Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno has defended all types of drug crimes, including:

• Drug possession (marijuana possession, ecstasy possession, cocaine possession)
• Drug paraphernalia
• Possession with intent to sell
• Drug distribution
• Drug trafficking

The amount of drugs in possession directly affects the level of the specific drug offense. If one possess only a small amount of marijuana he is likely to face a fairly minor charge; while another, who possesses a larger amount of heroin could result in a major federal drug charge. Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno has the experience to take on drug charges at all levels.

Federal Drug Charges

Generally, someone charged with federal drug charges is accused of possessing, or distributing, large quantities of drugs that are often transported across state lines. In Federal Court, the penalties for federal charges much harsher than penalties for state convictions.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is usually behind federal drug offenses, as the DEA often completes very detailed investigations before indictment (arrest).

You need to contact an attorney as soon as possible, if you believe that you are the subject of a drug investigation.

Be sure to secure an attorney that has handled many such cases. Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno has the experience necessary to defend you for any type of drug charges.

Drunk Driving driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI)

Domestic Violence

The State of Connecticut defines domestic violence as an act of violence, physical harm, injury or assault, or a threat causing fear of imminent physical harm, between any of the following individuals:

• Spouses or former spouses
• Girlfriends and boyfriends
• Parents and their children
• Individuals living together
• Individuals who have lived together
• Other related individuals

If you are charged with a domestic violence offense, you will likely be subject to a criminal protective order from the court requiring you to NOT return to your home until further order by the court. If this happens, you need to secure another place to live while the case is pending, or until the court modifies its order.

Also, if you are charged with a domestic violence offense, you will be ordered to turn over any firearm you may possess as part of the protective order, and the pending charges.

Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno has defended many domestic violence charges for his clients, including:

•  Assault
• Strangulation
• Threatening
• Harassment

Be sure to secure an attorney that has handled many such cases. Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno has the experience necessary to defend you for any domestic violence charges.

Perjury and Tampering Offenses

 Both Perjury and Tampering charges are similar and are often brought in conjunction with each other. Many times these charges involve situations where a defendant engages in what he or she believed at the time to be insignificant behavior (such as. discussing a matter with someone they know is a witness to a crime), but is later viewed as criminal behavior.

Below are the definitions of what constitutes Perjury, Tampering with Evidence and Tampering with a Witness.

 Perjury

Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 53a-156, a person is guilty of perjury if, in any official proceeding, (he/she) intentionally, (under oath / in an unsworn foreign declaration), (makes a false statement / swears, affirms or testifies falsely), to a material statement which (he/she) does not believe to be true.

For a conviction, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that 1) the defendant gave testimony at an official proceeding (under oath / in an unsworn foreign declaration), 2) the defendant intentionally gave false testimony, and 3) the statement was material to the proceedings.

Tampering with Evidence – Fabricating Evidence

Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 53a-155, a person is guilty of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence if, believing that an official proceeding is pending, or about to be instituted, (he/she)

•  Under Subsection 53a-155 (a) (1):  (alters / destroys / conceals / removes) any (record / document / thing) with purpose to impair its verity or availability in such proceeding.

• Under Subsection 53a-155 (a) (2):  (makes / presents / uses) any (record / document / thing) knowing it to be false and with purpose to mislead a public servant who is or may be engaged in such official proceeding.

For a conviction, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that 1) the defendant believed that an official proceeding was pending or about to be instituted, 2) the defendant (tampered with / fabricated) physical evidence, and 3) the defendant specifically did the exact act that the state claims was wrongful. For example, the defendant altered a report to mislead or hide the truth of what occurred.

Tampering with a Witness

Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 53a-151, a person is guilty of tampering with a witness if, believing that an official proceeding is pending or about to be instituted, (he/she) induces or attempts to induce a witness to (testify falsely / withhold testimony / elude legal process summoning (him/her) to testify / absent (himself/herself) from any official proceeding).

For a conviction, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that 1) the defendant believed that subject was to be a witness before a judge, jury, etc., and 2) the defendant induced or attempted to induce the subject to testify falsely, withhold testimony, elude legal process summoning the subject to testify, or absent himself/herself from any official proceeding

These charges are felony offenses that can cause tremendous problems if not properly defended.

Be sure to secure an attorney that has handled many such cases. Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno has the experience necessary to defend you for both perjury and tampering charges.

Larceny (Theft)

Larceny exist when someone takes property or goods, which belong to another without consent. Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno has defended many larceny and theft cases for his clients, including:

• Shoplifting
• Larceny
• Carjacking
• Forgery
• Writing bad checks
• Identity theft
• Embezzlement

Depending on the value of the money or property stolen, a larceny can be either a misdemeanor or felony.

•  Misdemeanor:  A larceny involving property up to a value $1000 can result in a misdemeanor conviction with a prison sentence of up to 1 year.
•  Felony:  A larceny involving property up to a value over $1000 can result in felony conviction with a prison sentence from 1 year, up to 20 years.

Be sure to secure an attorney that has handled many such cases. Hartford criminal defense attorney Salvatore Bonanno has the experience necessary to defend you for both misdemeanor and felony larceny charges.

Personal injuries often come as the result of negligence by a person or a company. A simple slip-and-fall, a car crash, or even a dog bite can change your life, inflicting serious injuries, causing financial hardship and mobility restrictions.