Criminal Attorneys in NYC
How is criminal law unique in NYC? - Contact one of our criminal lawyers now
Each state in the U.S. has its own laws, and New York has a few particularly unique criminal laws. If you are charged with a criminal offense in New York, it is imperative that you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney in NYC who knows your rights. Your attorneys should not only know those laws, they should know how to use those laws to your advantage in court.
New York City Criminal Attorneys
New York criminal matters are governed by a statute of limitations, meaning there is a time frame within which criminal acts may be prosecuted:
- Class A felonies (most severe): no statute
- Other felonies: 5 years
- Misdemeanors: 2 years
- Violations: 1 year
Like in any state, resolving criminal charges in New York can be a lengthy process. In New York, the constitutional right to a speedy trial is meant to limit the length of this process by allowing prosecutors up to six months to prepare for trial. Unfortunately, the speedy trial law is complicated, and it is possible for prosecutors to use this law to drag a trial out rather than shorten it.
In order for a case to be dismissed on the grounds that the right to a speedy trial has been violated, your attorney will need to prove that the delay has resulted in prejudice against the defendant. The Court will consider the following factors:
- The length and reason for the delay
- The degree of prejudice against the defendant
- The nature of the charge
- Any time spent in jail before the trail began
Your New York City criminal attorneys must know when this law will benefit you and when you should waive your right to a speedy trial. The wrong decision could result in an unfair trial or unnecessary imprisonment.
Contact a NYC criminal lawyer from our firm
In order to keep prosecutors from abusing New York criminal laws, make sure you have a criminal attorney in New York City who is a veteran of the New York courts system. Bernfeld, DeMetteo, and Bernfeld has handled cases specifically in the NYC area for several decades, and all three attorneys have trained other lawyers in the specifics of New York criminal law.
Contact us if you need to speak with an experienced New York City criminal lawyer today.
