Rights, Constitutional Law and Criminal Defense attorney, who recently retired after a 40-year career. He is currently writing a book centered around the prosecution of New Paltz, NY Mayor Jason West for marrying same-sex couples before it became legal. The story explores the nature of love and justice and the relationship between these two powerful forces.

His work includes representation of Dovid Krafchow, a Kabalistic Tarot card reader who was prosecuted for illegal vending on the Village Green in Woodstock, NY. In a case which received national media attention, Krafchow’s First Amendment rights were vindicated by the Federal Court,  overturning the conviction he received in the local town court. Krafchow was thereafter compensated by the town for his false arrest.

Coincidentally, another First Amendment case arose on the Village Green in Woodstock when singer John “The Baker” Eppard was arrested for singing the words “God damn”. Charged with Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest, Mr. Schindler successfully asserted Eppard’s First Amendment rights to secure dismissal of the charges and compensation for the false arrest.

Mr. Schindler briefly represented Larry Whitehurst in what was New York’s first death penalty case under its 1995 death penalty statute, another case that had received national media attention.

In another First Amendment case, Mr. Schindler successfully represented a high school student who was involuntarily committed to a mental hospital for writing a poem about a person considering suicide.

Mr. Schindler has served as Vice President of the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. He is currently a member of the Ulster County Bar Association.