Practice Area - Criminal
If you have been
arrested and charged with a crime you need experienced
representation to protect your legal rights. Our office has been
handling criminal cases for more than ten years. We have a team of
former prosecutors who speak English and Spanish, and have handled
thousands of misdemeanors and felonies, including assault, larceny,
drug charges, driving while intoxicated, criminal contempt, domestic
violence, manslaughter and other charges.
We will review the charges filed against you to determine if they
are legally sufficient. If they are not, we will prepare motions,
conduct hearings and can take your case to trial to protect your
rights. If the prosecution has a strong case, and if
appropriate, we will negotiate with the district attorney and with
the judge to obtain the best plea bargain offer we can.
Understand that you have certain constitutional rights that are
guaranteed to you by the United States Constitution and the
Constitution of the State of New York. You have an absolute right
to remain silent. No one can force you or coerce you to plead
guilty to anything. You have a right to take your case to trial,
and to force the people to prove its case against you beyond a
reasonable doubt. You have a right to cross examine and confront
the people's witnesses and to put on your own defense. You have the
absolute right to be represented by an attorney at each and every
stage of your criminal proceeding.
If you are contacted by the police to be questioned or you are
arrested, call us immediately. It is usually very unwise to talk to
the police. Anything you say and any statement you sign can be used
against you.
If you are charged with a felony it is particularly important that
you retain counsel right away to avoid, when possible, indictment.
An indictment is a proceeding where a body of citizens is convened
to hear evidence to determine whether or not there is probable cause
to charge you with a Felony, a serious criminal charge. Once you
are indicted, the law places restrictions on plea bargains, so it is
essential that you retain counsel right away. We provide prompt
service and personal attention to your case to protect your rights.
We are experienced at
plea negotiations, motion practice, hearings, trials and grand jury
proceedings.
We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to handle
your criminal cases including weekend arraignments.
In
case of an emergency, contact Christopher P. McGuire, Esq. via pager
at 516-440-0086.
Spanish speaking clients should contact Mary Pelaez, Esq. at
516-440-0017.
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