Flushing, Queens Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or one of your family members has been arrested in Flushing, Queens, you must seek legal assistance immediately.  A criminal charge is an extremely serious matter that needs to be examined by a skilled defense attorney as soon as possible.  In addition to handling your legal documents and preparing you for court hearings, an experienced criminal lawyer can fight to have your charges dropped, to have your case dismissed, or to obtain lighter penalties than those you were originally facing.

The Flushing criminal lawyers of Sullivan & Galleshaw have been representing defendants charged with felonies and misdemeanors for over 30 years.  Bringing decades of knowledge and experience to every case we handle, we have earned a reputation as formidable opponents in the courtroom.  We will sit down with you to make sure you understand the progression of your case, and will protect your rights from being violated.  If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime in Flushing, call our law offices immediately at (800) 730-0135 for a free consultation.

Cases and Charges Our Flushing Criminal Defense Attorneys Handle

No matter what you have been charged with, it is essential that your attorney has experience handling the type of crime you were arrested for.  Different approaches are more appropriate for certain types of offenses, which makes in-depth experience critical to an effective defense strategy.

For more than three decades, our trusted attorneys have represented defendants charged with a wide range of felony and misdemeanor offenses in Queens.  We are deeply familiar with New York’s criminal laws, and bring nuanced, experience-driven legal knowledge to every case we work on.

Types of charges our Queens criminal law firm handles include:

• Assault
• Burglary
• Domestic Violence Offenses
• Drug Offenses (Cocaine, Crack, Ecstasy, Heroin, LSD, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Prescription Drugs)
• Drunk Driving
• Fraud Crimes
• Hate Crimes
• Homicide
• Immigration Crimes
• Parole Violations
• Probation Violations
• Robbery
• Sex Offenses
• Theft
• Violent Crimes
• Weapons Crimes
• White Collar Crimes (Financial Crimes)

What Are the Penalties for a Felony or Misdemeanor Offense in New York?

Like most states, New York separates crimes into two categories, each of which is further divided into more detailed subcategories.  For example, third degree rape is a Class E felony, while second degree rape is a Class D felony.  These categories are significant for defendants, because they determine what types of penalties the defendant can receive if he or she is found guilty.

• Misdemeanors – Misdemeanors are lesser offenses for which the maximum jail sentence is one year.  Though not quite as serious as felonies, misdemeanors are still urgent matters because they can result in jail time, fines, a criminal record, and other consequences.

There are three types of misdemeanors in New York:

• Class B Misdemeanors
  Sentence – Up to 3 months in jail
  Fine – Up to $500
  Examples – Prostitution, First Degree Harassment, Fourth Degree Stalking
• Class A Misdemeanors
  Sentence – Up to 1 year in jail
  Fine – Up to $1,000
  Examples – Third Degree Assault, Petit Larceny (Petty Theft), Making Graffiti, Third Degree Identity Theft
• Unclassified Misdemeanors
  Sentence – Up to 1 year in jail
  Fine – Up to $1,000
  Examples – DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), also known as DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
• Felonies – Felonies are the most serious type of crime, with the potential for many months, years, or even decades in prison.  Felonies also have more of a negative stigma than misdemeanors, which can make it very hard to find work if you are convicted.  Like a misdemeanor, a felony will give you a criminal record.  Felonies can be “violent” or “non-violent” depending on the nature of the crime, which impacts sentencing.

There are six types of felonies in New York:

• Class E Felonies
  Sentence – Up to 4 years in prison
  Examples – Second Degree Vehicular Assault, Fourth Degree Grand Larceny, Second Degree Bail-Jumping, Criminal Possession of a Firearm
• Class D Felonies
  Sentence – Up to 7 years in prison
  Examples – Second Degree Vehicular Manslaughter, First Degree Criminal Trespass, Second Degree Sale of Marijuana, Third Degree Money Laundering
• Class C Felonies
  Sentence – Up to 15 years in prison
  Examples – First Degree Forgery, Fourth Degree Drug Possession, Second Degree Gang Assault
• Class B Felonies
  Sentence – Up to 25 years in prison
  Examples – Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, First Degree Possession of Stolen Property, Sex Trafficking, First Degree Aggravated Sexual Abuse
• Class A-II Felonies
  Sentence – Up to life in prison
  Examples – Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, Second Degree Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance
• Class A-I Felonies
  Sentence – Up to life in prison
  Examples – Aggravated Murder, First Degree Kidnapping, Operating as a Major Trafficker

With some exceptions for felonies involving narcotics, most felony convictions in Queens will result in a fine of either:

• $5,000
• Double the amount the defendant gained by committing the crime

Additionally, fines and incarceration are not the only penalties that can result from a criminal conviction.  Depending on factors like the nature of the offense and the defendant’s criminal history (if any), he or she may also face consequences like:

• Community service
• Mandatory registration as a sex offender
• Supervised probation
• Suspension or revocation of a driver’s license
• Victim restitution, in addition to criminal fines

Arrested in Queens? Contact Our Flushing Defense Attorneys for a Free Consultation

If you, your spouse, or one or your relatives or children has been arrested in Flushing, the first thing you should do is contact a criminal defense lawyer in Queens.  An attorney can assess your situation and help you understand your rights, responsibilities, and the options for proceeding.  Your attorney can also assist you with matters like bail reductions, arraignments, and other court hearings.

Do not wait to seek legal counsel if you or a loved one has been criminally charged in Queens.  We represent defendants throughout Flushing, including Broadway-Flushing, Linden Hill, Murray Hill, Queensboro Hill, and Waldheim.  If you have been arrested or have received a desk appearance ticket (DAT), call the Flushing defense attorneys of Sullivan & Galleshaw at (800) 730-0135 as soon as possible for a free and confidential legal consultation.