Nassau County Criminal Defense LawyerS

Our firm has successfully defended clients charged with crimes running the gamut from misdemeanors such as driving while intoxicated, shoplifting or petit larceny, assault, and drug possession to much more serious felony charges such as murder, gang assault, robbery, rape, drug sales, possession and sale of firearms, kidnapping, and allegations involving child sexual abuse.

Comprehensive criminal defense across a range of offenses:

• D.W.I. 
• Assault 
• Theft/Larceny Offenses  
• Fraud  
• Burglary  
• Drug Trafficking and Narcotics Offenses  
• Vehicular Crimes 
• Murder/Manslaughter  
• Kidnapping  
• Sexual Offenses 
• Firearms Related Offenses  

Defenses Against Criminal Charges

Defenses against criminal charges may include:

• Lack of Evidence: In any criminal case, the prosecution will need to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If there is insufficient or questionable evidence, the case can be challenged. The goal is to demonstrate that the evidence does not conclusively prove the defendant's guilt, which may lead to the charges being diminished or dismissed.
• Self-Defense or Defense of Others: Self-defense is commonly used in violent crimes, such as assault or homicide. It could justify your actions if you acted in response to a perceived threat or were protecting someone else from harm.
• Mistaken Identity: Mistaken identity occurs when someone is wrongly accused of a crime because they were misidentified by witnesses or evidence. This defense can be especially effective in cases with unreliable eyewitness testimony or a lack of direct evidence connecting you to the crime.
• Illegal Search and Seizure: Law enforcement officers must follow strict rules regarding search and seizure procedures. If evidence was obtained in violation of your Fourth Amendment rights, it can be suppressed, meaning it cannot be used against you in court. This can significantly weaken the prosecution's case.
• Entrapment: Entrapment happens when a law enforcement officer or government agent induces someone to commit a crime they would not have otherwise committed. This could be a valid defense if you were pressured or coerced into engaging in illegal activity.
• Alibi: An alibi defense involves proving that you were elsewhere when the crime occurred, making it impossible for you to have committed the offense. This typically requires corroborating evidence, such as witness testimony, receipts, or video footage.
• Coercion or Duress: If you committed a crime under threat of violence or harm, you may be able to claim coercion or duress as a defense. For this to be successful, you must prove that you were under immediate threat and had no reasonable alternative but to comply.

How Our Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You

Here is how we can assist you:

• Case Evaluation and Investigation: We begin by thoroughly evaluating your case and reviewing all the evidence, police reports, and witness statements. We will also conduct an independent investigation, which includes interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, and consulting with experts. The goal is to uncover weaknesses in the prosecution's case and build a solid defense strategy.
• Protecting Your Rights: Throughout the criminal process, we will protect your constitutional rights. This includes safeguarding you against unlawful search and seizure, ensuring you receive a fair trial, and making sure that the prosecution follows proper procedures. If your rights have been violated, we will take aggressive action to have illegally obtained evidence excluded from the case.
• Negotiating with Prosecutors: In some cases, it may be in your best interest to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecution to decrease the charges or minimize potential penalties. We have extensive experience negotiating with prosecutors and will work to achieve the most favorable terms possible. However, we are always prepared to take your case to trial if that is the best course of action.
• Court Representation: If your case goes to trial, you need a skilled trial lawyer who can effectively present your defense to a judge and jury. We are experienced in courtroom litigation and will advocate aggressively on your behalf, challenging the prosecution’s evidence and presenting your side of the story.
• Post-Conviction Relief: Even if you have been convicted of a crime, your work may not be finished. We can help you explore options for post-conviction relief, such as appeals or sentence reductions, to continue fighting for your rights and future.

Why Choose Us?

When a favorable disposition cannot be negotiated, the client needs to be able to make an informed decision on whether or not to go to trial. Only the client can decide what is more important to him or her: limiting the risk of going to jail or taking all steps necessary, including trial, in order to avoid deportation and separation from one’s family and friends.

There is no need to hire an immigration attorney to advise you regarding the immigration consequences of a given conviction when our firm represents you since our attorneys do this for every one of his clients as part of their representation.

Contact Our Criminal Defense Attorney in Nassau County Today

Our offices are centrally located a block from the Nassau County Court in Mineola, New York, and ¾ of a mile from the First District Court in Hempstead, New York. Our office also defends individuals facing criminal prosecution in Suffolk and Queens Counties.

Mr. Terezakis is an experienced litigator who frequently lectures at continuing legal education seminars sponsored by bar associations across the country, especially in the area of criminal convictions and immigration consequences. Criminal defense attorneys regularly come to us to provide detailed analyses of immigration consequences of plea agreements for non-citizen clients.

To benefit from our extensive experience, contact our Nassau County criminal defense lawyer at (516) 550-5323 today.