Best New York Criminal Defense Lawyers

Find top-rated New York criminal defense attorneys to protect your rights when facing criminal charges.

List of the Top 20 New York Criminal Defense Attorneys

Screenshot of the Law Offices of Julie Rendelman, LLC Website
535 5th Ave #2525, New York, NY 10017, USA

Julie Rendelman is a top NYC criminal defense attorney with 20+ years fighting for clients. As a former prosecutor and Deputy Bureau Chief of the Homicide Bureau, she knows how the other side thinks. Her Midtown Manhattan office handles federal and state cases with a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating. Free consultations are available. Julie appears regularly as a legal analyst on the Law and Crime Network.

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Screenshot of the Tilem & Associates, PC Website
188 E Post Rd, White Plains, NY 10601, USA

Tilem & Associates delivers aggressive criminal defense and personal injury representation in White Plains, NY. With over 25 years of experience, their attorneys handle everything from homicide and drug offenses to DWI and traffic violations. The firm serves clients throughout New York City and surrounding counties. They provide personalized legal strategies for complex cases while maintaining strong client relationships. Their expertise covers both serious felonies and routine violations.

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Screenshot of the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC Website
299 Broadway #1400, New York, NY 10007, USA

The Law Offices of Robert Tsigler provides aggressive criminal defense across NYC's five boroughs. Available 24/7, their attorneys handle assault, drug crimes, white-collar offenses, and federal cases. Robert Tsigler ranks in the Nation's Top One Percent with a 10.0 Superb Avvo rating. The firm offers reasonable fees and payment plans from offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island. Former Kings County DA's experience strengthens their defense strategies. Named a Top 40 Under 40 attorney, Tsigler fights to win dismissals or reduced charges.

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Screenshot of the Sutnick & Sutnick Attorneys at Law Website
21 Main St #200W, Hackensack, NJ 07601, USA

Sutnick & Sutnick handles criminal defense cases across New Jersey and New York with over 20 years of experience. Their certified trial attorneys specialize in DWI/DUI, drug charges, and criminal matters. The firm provides 24/7 availability and free consultations. Located in Hackensack, Bergen County, they offer strong legal advocacy protecting clients' rights. Their experienced team ensures dedicated representation for serious criminal charges.

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Screenshot of the Greco Neyland, PC Website
1140 6th Ave Suite 1035, New York, NY 10036, USA

Greco Neyland, PC provides New York City criminal defense with former prosecutor insights. Their attorneys handle DWI, white-collar crimes, and federal cases. The firm operates in state and federal courts throughout New York. They offer 24/7 availability and free consultations. Former prosecutors bring a unique understanding of prosecution knowledge to defense strategies.

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Screenshot of the Michael A. Arbeit, P.C Website
23 S Main St #30, Freeport, NY 11520, USA

Michael A. Arbeit PC handles criminal defense cases throughout Long Island and New York City. The firm represents clients facing misdemeanors, felonies, drug crimes, theft, and traffic violations. Attorney Michael A. Arbeit provides 24/7 availability and free consultations. They serve Nassau County, Suffolk County, and NYC with experienced legal representation.

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Screenshot of the Law Office of Luke Scardigno Website
123-60 83rd Ave Suite 1T, Kew Gardens, NY 11415, USA

Law Office of Luke Scardigno provides criminal defense services in Queens, New York. Attorney Luke Scardigno brings over 30 years of experience to DWI, domestic violence, and assault cases. The office is conveniently located near the Queens County Criminal Courthouse. They serve clients across NYC, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. Free consultations are available for record sealing and DMV facial recognition issues.

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Screenshot of the Law Office of Carl Spector Website

Law Office of Carl Spector offers criminal defense services throughout Northern New Jersey. Attorney Carl Spector brings over 30 years of experience as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney to Glen Rock area clients. The firm handles drug possession, DUI, traffic violations, and serious criminal charges. They provide free consultations and 24/7 availability for urgent legal matters across Bergen County.

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Screenshot of the Michael Paul, Attorney at Law Website
Lower Level Left, 3507 90th St, Jackson Heights, NY 11372, USA

Michael Paul practices criminal defense law throughout Queens and Brooklyn from his Jackson Heights office. He handles DWI/DUI cases, traffic violations, and real estate transactions with aggressive representation. The attorney offers affordable payment plans and maintains constant client communication. His office offers easy access to public transportation and convenient parking options. Michael focuses on delivering dedicated legal services for both criminal defense matters and property law issues.

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Screenshot of the Scott Cerbin Criminal Defense Website
254 36th St Suite C659, Brooklyn, NY 11232, USA

Scott Cerbin is a top-rated NYC criminal defense attorney with 15+ years of experience. He defends clients in all five boroughs across serious charges. His firm has won acquittals in high-profile cases, including attempted murder. Scott offers 24/7 availability and aggressive legal representation. The firm handles criminal defense, civil rights, and post-conviction appeals. Free consultations are provided to all potential clients.

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Screenshot of the Law Office of Gina M Wicik Website
325 Broadway Suite 406, New York, NY 10007, USA

The Law Office of Gina M. Wicik defends criminal, DWI, and traffic cases throughout New York and New Jersey. Attorney Gina Wicik has over 10 years of experience and is certified in field sobriety tests. She appears daily in NYC traffic courts and has earned a perfect Avvo rating. The downtown Manhattan firm offers 24/7 availability and free 30-minute consultations for all criminal defense matters.

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Screenshot of the The Fast Law Firm, P.C. Website
521 5th Ave 17th floor, New York, NY 10175, USA
Screenshot of the Law Offices of Victor Knapp Website
125-10 Queens Blvd #323, Kew Gardens, NY 11415, USA

Victor Knapp brings 40+ years of criminal defense experience to Queens, NY clients facing DWI/DUI, domestic violence, and federal charges. Known for landmark cases including the Howard Beach riots, he's available 24/7 and treats every client personally. His strategic approach consistently results in felonies being reduced to dismissals or lesser charges. Located across from Queens Criminal Court, he serves all NYC boroughs and Long Island.

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Screenshot of the Spodek Law Group P.C. Website
611 S Catalina St #222, Los Angeles, CA 90005, USA

Based in NYC, Spodek Law Group handles tough criminal defense cases nationwide with over 50 years of combined experience. The firm specializes in federal and state criminal law, with a proven track record of success in high-profile cases. They offer risk-free consultations and focus on getting charges dismissed or reduced. Their unique approach prioritizes client outcomes over standard legal procedures.

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Screenshot of the Sris, P.C. Attorneys at Law Website
230 Route 206 Bldg 3 Office 5, Flanders, NJ 07836, USA

The Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. serves New York and New Jersey with comprehensive legal services. With over 25 years of experience, their team handles traffic violations, criminal defense, divorce, personal injury, and bankruptcy cases. The founder is a former prosecutor licensed in five states. They offer 24/7 availability and multilingual support. Free consultations with proven results across multiple practice areas.

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Screenshot of the Laurence A. Silverman & Associates Website
537 E Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station, NY 11746, United States

Laurence A. Silverman & Associates provides criminal defense and family law services in Long Island. Their attorneys have decades of trial experience in drug crimes, DWI, and domestic violence cases. The firm offers free consultations and fights aggressively for clients' rights. They maintain offices in Huntington Station, Central Islip, and Mineola. The legal team works around the clock to protect clients facing serious charges. Their extensive courtroom experience helps achieve favorable outcomes in complex cases.

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Screenshot of the Sullivan & Brill, LLP Website
115 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10006, United States

Sullivan & Brill provides aggressive criminal defense throughout New York City and Long Island. The firm brings over 20 years of trial experience. They handle federal crimes, state charges, DWI, and fraud cases. Their attorneys successfully manage appeals and post-conviction matters. The downtown Manhattan firm serves clients statewide. They focus on achieving the best possible outcomes.

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Screenshot of the The Law Offices of SRIS, P.C - Protective Order Virginia Website

The Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a Virginia law firm defending against protective orders. With over 25 years of experience, they serve clients in Fairfax, Richmond, and Ashburn. The firm handles domestic violence cases and restraining order defense. Their former prosecutor attorneys work across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC. Free consultations help clients understand their legal options.

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Screenshot of the Vasiliou Law Website
3097 Steinway Street ste 301a, Astoria, NY, US

Vasiliou Law is a trusted criminal defense law firm serving Queens, New York. With over 30 years of experience, their criminal lawyers handle DUI, theft, drug charges, and more. The firm also provides legal services in family law, estate planning, and immigration. Attorneys speak Spanish and Greek, offering personalized support for a diverse community.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense in New York

What should I do immediately after being arrested in New York?

If you're arrested in New York, exercise your right to remain silent and request a criminal defense attorney immediately. Don't discuss your case with anyone except your lawyer. Even seemingly innocent statements can be used against you in court. Remember to:

  • Remain calm and polite with law enforcement
  • Document the time, location, and circumstances of your arrest
  • Keep records of any witness contact information
  • Avoid discussing your case on social media

How do I choose the right criminal defense attorney in New York?

When selecting a criminal defense lawyer, consider their:

  • Experience handling cases similar to yours in New York courts
  • Track record of successful case outcomes and negotiations
  • Knowledge of local court procedures and relationships with prosecutors
  • Communication style and availability to answer your questions
  • Client reviews and professional reputation in the legal community

What are the stages of a criminal case in New York?

A criminal case typically proceeds through several stages:

  • Arraignment: Your first court appearance where charges are formally presented
  • Discovery: Exchange of evidence between prosecution and defense
  • Pre-trial motions: Legal arguments about evidence and procedure
  • Plea negotiations: Discussions about possible plea agreements
  • Trial: If no plea agreement is reached, your case goes before a judge or jury

What's the difference between a felony and misdemeanor in New York?

New York classifies criminal offenses based on severity:

  • Felonies are serious crimes punishable by more than one year in prison
  • Misdemeanors are less serious offenses with maximum sentences of one year
  • Violations are minor offenses typically punishable by up to 15 days in jail

How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in New York?

Legal fees vary based on several factors:

  • Case complexity and type of charges
  • Attorney's experience and reputation
  • Expected time commitment and court appearances
  • Whether the case goes to trial

Remember: Many attorneys offer free initial consultations and payment plans. Public defenders are available if you cannot afford private representation.