Criminal

In New York state 96% of felony convictions and 99% of misdemeanor convictions result from guilty pleas. Being criminally charged is a traumatic experience and many defendants feel as though they are obliged to take the first plea deal that is offered to them.

 

Ultimately, it is the prosecution's job to secure convictions, not to understand you or your circumstances. In some cases prosecutors may even coerce defendants into accepting plea deals because their case is weak, their evidence is flawed, or their witnesses are unreliable.

 

The assistance of a skilled criminal defense attorney is essential to understanding the strength of the prosecution's case, and whether or not a particular plea deal will provide an outcome that allows you to get back to normal and on with your life. We have worked with numerous defendants in New York State Supreme Court to secure more favorable plea arrangements or, when possible, outright dismissal of the charges against them.

 

This point is even more critical if you feel that you may have been the victim of civil rights abuses, such as false arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution, or unlawful discrimination in the course of your arrest. The viability of these claims depends, first and foremost, on the resolution of your criminal case. While a plea deal may seem like an easy way out of a bad situation, it may also forfeit your ability to sue for violations of your rights.

 

It is of the utmost importance to retain an attorney with experience in both criminal and civil law to ensure that your legal objectives are being pursued correctly from start to finish.