NY Criminal Defense Lawyer

NY Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are looking for a NY criminal defense lawyer, something serious has already happened. An arrest. A call from a detective. A loved one held at a precinct while you try to figure out what comes next.

Take a breath. An arrest is not a conviction. What you do in the first hours and days can shape everything that follows.

This page answers the questions people actually ask after an arrest in New York. What to do first. What a conviction can really cost. When you need a criminal defense lawyer in New York, and what our criminal defense attorneys do once you call.

What Should I Do First After an Arrest in New York?

Stay quiet and ask for a lawyer. You do not have to explain, argue, or prove your side at the precinct. That comes later, with help.

Say one thing. I want a lawyer, and I am not answering questions. Then stop talking. This is your right to remain silent and your right to counsel, and using it cannot be held against you.

Do not call friends from a jail phone, because those calls are recorded. Call a NY criminal defense lawyer instead.

Do I Really Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer in New York?

Yes. Even a charge that sounds minor can carry a record, jail exposure, and consequences that follow you for years.

The prosecutor has a trained team and the power of the state. Going in alone is how good people get hurt. Our criminal defense attorneys speak for you so you do not have to guess what to say.

What Happens After an Arrest in New York?

Most cases move in steps. Knowing the order helps you feel less lost.

• The arrest and booking: Police take your information, then send you to Central Booking to wait for court.
• The arraignment: Your first court date, usually within about a day, where the judge reads the charge and decides on release or bail.
• The release decision: The judge decides whether you go home while the case is open and under what conditions.
• Grand jury and indictment: In felony cases, a grand jury determines whether to bring the case forward as a formal charge.
• Discovery and motions: Both sides exchange evidence, and the defense can move to suppress evidence obtained improperly.
• Plea or trial: Many cases are resolved by agreement. Others go to a hearing or trial, where the prosecution must prove every part of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

You will not face any of these steps alone. Our criminal defense team walks you through each one.

What Is an Arraignment in New York?

An arraignment is your first appearance in court after an arrest. The judge tells you the charge, hears about release, and sets the next date.

It moves fast, often in a busy courtroom. Having a NY criminal defense lawyer at your arraignment can shape the release decision and the early direction of the case.

How Does Bail Work in New York Now?

Bail is money or conditions meant to make sure you come back to court. Under current New York bail rules by concept, many charges do not allow cash bail, and judges often must consider the least restrictive conditions.

Bail is not a punishment, and it is not about guilt. Our criminal defense attorneys argue for release on the terms that least disrupt your life.

Should I Talk to the Police in New York?

No. Here is what most people learn too late. You cannot talk your way out of an arrest, but you can talk your way into a worse case.

Officers are allowed to question you, and anything you say can be used against you. A request for a lawyer does not have to be polite to count. Ask for one, then say nothing else.

What Is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony in New York?

A misdemeanor is a lower-level crime, usually with up to a year of jail exposure. A felony is more serious, with the possibility of state prison.

Both leave a record, and both deserve real defense. Our criminal defense attorneys fight to keep a felony from becoming a conviction and a misdemeanor from following you for life.

What Can a Criminal Conviction Cost Me in New York?

More than a fine. A conviction can reach into parts of your life that have nothing to do with the courtroom.

• Your freedom: Some charges carry jail or prison time.
• Your job and license: A record can cost a professional license or the job itself.
• Your immigration status: For non-citizens, even a minor disposition can trigger detention or removal.
• Your home and money: Convictions can affect housing, benefits, and bring fines and fees.
• Your gun rights: Certain convictions end firearm eligibility and raise the stakes on any future charge.

The exact exposure depends on the charge and the facts. That is why getting a criminal defense lawyer in New York involved early matters.

Can My Charges Be Dropped or Reduced in a New York Case?

Sometimes. We cannot promise an outcome, and you should be careful with anyone who does.

What our criminal defense attorneys can do is dig into the facts that drive a case. How the stop happened. Whether the search was legal. What the video shows. Whether a witness is reliable. When evidence is weak or was gathered improperly, they push hard on it.

What Types of Criminal Cases Do You Handle in New York?

Our criminal defense attorneys defend the full range of New York charges. If your situation is below, follow the link for details.

• Airport Gun Charges: Gun arrests at JFK, LaGuardia, and other New York airports.
• Civil Forfeiture: Getting back cash, cars, and property the government seized.
• Desk Appearance Tickets: DAT charges that are still real criminal cases.
• Disorderly Conduct: Violation-level cases that can still affect your record.
• Domestic Violence: Arrests and orders of protection.
• Drug Charges: Possession and sale cases by concept in New York.

We also defend assault, robbery, theft, weapons, and many other charges. For federal matters, see our federal criminal defense practice.

What Is the Difference Between a State and a Federal Case in New York?

State cases are brought by New York and heard in New York criminal courts. Federal cases are brought by the United States and heard in federal court, including the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

Federal cases move differently and carry their own sentencing rules. Our criminal defense attorneys handle both, and the strategy is not the same for each.

What If This Is My First Arrest in New York?

A first arrest is frightening, and it is also where strong, early defense work can matter most. You may have options that someone with a record does not.

Do not assume a guilty plea is your only path just to make it end. Talk to a NY criminal defense lawyer first.

What If I Am Not a U.S. Citizen and Was Arrested in New York?

Tell us right away. For non-citizens, the immigration fallout of a case can be worse than the criminal penalty itself.

A plea that looks minor can still trigger an immigration hold or removal. Our criminal defense attorneys weigh those consequences before any decision is made, not after.

How Much Does a NY Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?

It depends on the charge and how far the case goes. Criminal defense is usually handled as a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a mix of both. Our criminal defense attorneys will be straight with you about cost before you commit. [Fee details pending firm profile confirmation.]

Why Do I Need a NY Criminal Defense Lawyer?

Because the system is built to move with or without you, and the early decisions are the ones that count. You want a NY criminal defense lawyer who handles your type of case and tells you the truth.

Be wary of anyone who guarantees a result before reading a page of your file. Ask who will actually handle your matter.

Talk to a NY Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

The clock is already running on your case. The next move should be yours, not the prosecutor’s. Call Konta, Georges & Buza P.C. and let our criminal defense team get your defense started.