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Former NY Police Officer Sentenced for Role in Hit and Run

Friday Mar 22nd, on Criminal Defense News | Share

When Raymond Beckley was a police officer, he often put people in jail to try to keep his community safe. Now the former Westchester cop is taking his own trip behind bars.

Beckley was recently sentenced to 90 days in jail for his role in a White Plains hit and run accident that seriously injured two people. But it wasn’t because he sped off in his pickup truck after hitting two pedestrians with the vehicle. Beckley is being locked up for tampering with the evidence in the accident.

Late last year Beckley pled guilty to driving his vehicle across state lines days after the accident to try to keep investigators from finding the car.

The 25-year-old was driving his truck in Westchester County in November 2018 when the car struck a couple walking on the sidewalk next to the road. The victims suffered head trauma and broken bones.

Beckley started work at the New Castle Police Department just hours after the crash, according to NBC New York. He resigned some two months after the accident. Beckley had also previously worked as a cop in New Rochelle.

Probation in Criminal Cases

Beckley was sentenced to what courts in New York commonly call “shock probation.” His relatively short incarceration stint will be followed by a longer period of probation, or supervised release.

His punishment could have been a lot worse, given the circumstances.

It’s important to remember, however, that probation isn’t a get out of jail free card. Probation and parole often come with a number of terms and conditions, including requirements that you get a job, check in with law enforcement officers and keep them aware of your coming and going, and submit to regular drug testing. You may also be obligated to attend anger management classes if you’ve been convicted of assault or a related offense.

A person who violates the terms of his probation or parole can be sent to jail as a result.

Talk With an Experienced Albany Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime related to a car accident or any other criminal offense in the Capital District, it’s important to seek the advice of an experienced Albany criminal defense lawyer. The earlier you start weighing your options and building your defense, the better. In many cases, that work can start before you’ve even been charged with a crime.

When Raymond Beckley was a police officer, he often put people in jail to try to keep his community safe. Now the former Westchester cop is taking his own trip behind bars.

Beckley was recently sentenced to 90 days in jail for his role in a White Plains hit and run accident that seriously injured two people. But it wasn’t because he sped off in his pickup truck after hitting two pedestrians with the vehicle. Beckley is being locked up for tampering with the evidence in the accident.

Late last year Beckley pled guilty to driving his vehicle across state lines days after the accident to try to keep investigators from finding the car.

The 25-year-old was driving his truck in Westchester County in November 2018 when the car struck a couple walking on the sidewalk next to the road. The victims suffered head trauma and broken bones.

Beckley started work at the New Castle Police Department just hours after the crash, according to NBC New York. He resigned some two months after the accident. Beckley had also previously worked as a cop in New Rochelle.

Probation in Criminal Cases

Beckley was sentenced to what courts in New York commonly call “shock probation.” His relatively short incarceration stint will be followed by a longer period of probation, or supervised release.

His punishment could have been a lot worse, given the circumstances.

It’s important to remember, however, that probation isn’t a get out of jail free card. Probation and parole often come with a number of terms and conditions, including requirements that you get a job, check in with law enforcement officers and keep them aware of your coming and going, and submit to regular drug testing. You may also be obligated to attend anger management classes if you’ve been convicted of assault or a related offense.

A person who violates the terms of his probation or parole can be sent to jail as a result.

Talk With an Experienced Albany Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime related to a car accident or any other criminal offense in the Capital District, it’s important to seek the advice of an experienced Albany criminal defense lawyer. The earlier you start weighing your options and building your defense, the better. In many cases, that work can start before you’ve even been charged with a crime.

Albany criminal defense lawyer James E. Tyner is an experienced attorney who has been representing clients in a variety criminal cases for more than a decade. Mr. Tyner has a strong track record of getting the best results of his clients so that they can move on after being charged with a crime. He is happy to represent his neighbors Albany, Schenectady, Latham and throughout the state. Contact us online or call 518-363-6303 to schedule a free consultation.