Criminal Defense Lawyers in New York City

A criminal defense lawyer in New York City often starts work within hours of an arrest, because most people arrested by the NYPD are brought before a judge for arraignment soon after. Common cases include assault, theft, drug and weapons charges, DWI, domestic incidents and fraud. Federal investigations in Manhattan and Brooklyn add white collar, securities and conspiracy matters.

Each of the five boroughs is its own county with its own District Attorney. Misdemeanors are handled in the Criminal Court of the City of New York, and felonies move to the Supreme Court of the county after indictment. Federal cases go to the Southern District of New York in Manhattan or the Eastern District in Brooklyn. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will assign one, often from the Legal Aid Society, another defender office or the 18-B panel of private attorneys. You can check any lawyer's license through the New York State Unified Court System Attorney Search.

Private criminal defense attorneys in New York City usually charge a flat fee per case or per stage, such as through arraignment or through trial, while federal matters are more often billed by the hour. Contingency fees are not allowed in criminal cases. Before hiring a criminal defense lawyer in New York City, ask how many trials they have handled in that borough, who will appear at each court date and what the fee excludes. Do not speak to police without counsel. A criminal defense lawyer in New York City can also manage immigration risks of a plea. Compare the firms below and contact them directly.