Criminal Defense Attorney in Nassau County

We represent clients facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges.

Our criminal defense services include representation involving:

• D.W.I. 
• Assault and violent offenses, including gang assault
• Theft and larceny offenses, including shoplifting or petit larceny
• Fraud
• Burglary
• Drug trafficking and narcotics offenses, including drug possession and drug sales
• Vehicular crimes
• Murder and manslaughter
• Kidnapping
• Sexual offenses, including allegations involving child sexual abuse
• Firearms-related offenses

The possible consequences depend on the specific charge, factual allegations, procedural posture, and applicable New York law. We assess both misdemeanor charges and felony charges based on the evidence and circumstances of the individual case.

Defenses against Criminal Charges

A defense strategy must be based on the charge, facts, available evidence, and New York law. We investigate the prosecution’s allegations and determine which constitutional, procedural, evidentiary, or factual issues may apply.

Potential defense issues may include:

• Lack of Evidence: In any criminal case, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If there is insufficient or questionable evidence, the prosecution’s case can be challenged.
• Self-Defense or Defense of Others: Self-defense or defense of others may be relevant to an assault, homicide, or other violent-offense allegation. Whether the defense applies depends on the circumstances and the requirements of New York law.
• Mistaken Identity: Mistaken identity occurs when someone is wrongly accused because they were misidentified by witnesses or other evidence. Eyewitness reliability, video footage, identification procedures, and evidence connecting the accused to the incident may require close review.
• Illegal Search and Seizure: The Fourth Amendment addresses unreasonable searches and seizures. Whether evidence obtained by law enforcement can be suppressed requires case-specific analysis of the search, warrant, police conduct, and applicable exceptions.
• Entrapment: Entrapment may apply when law enforcement induces conduct under circumstances recognized by law. Government involvement alone doesn’t automatically establish this defense.
• Alibi: An alibi defense involves evidence that the accused was elsewhere when the crime occurred. Supporting information may include witness testimony, receipts, phone records, or video footage.
• Coercion or Duress: Coercion or duress may be raised when alleged conduct occurred under a threat of violence or harm. Its availability depends on the immediacy of the threat, the alternatives available, and other case facts.

Our representation may include:

• Case Evaluation and Investigation: We begin by evaluating your case and reviewing available evidence, police reports, and witness statements. We may also conduct an independent investigation, interview witnesses, gather evidence, and work with private investigators to identify weaknesses or factual disputes in the prosecution’s case.
• Protecting Your Rights: Throughout the criminal process, we work to protect your constitutional rights. This includes examining searches and seizures, statements made to police, identification procedures, and whether the prosecution followed required procedures.
• Negotiating with Prosecutors: In some cases, it may be appropriate to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution. We review proposed terms with the client, explain the criminal and potential immigration consequences when applicable, and prepare for trial when a negotiated resolution doesn’t fit the facts or the client’s goals.
• Court Representation: If your case goes to trial, we can present the defense to the judge or jury, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, question witnesses, and present your side of the case.
• Post-Conviction Review: After a conviction, we can evaluate whether an appeal, sentence reduction, or another form of post-conviction relief may be available. Options depend on the procedural history, conviction, sentence, filing requirements, and applicable law.

Criminal Defense with Immigration-Consequences Analysis

When a favorable disposition can’t be negotiated, the client needs to be able to make an informed decision about whether to go to trial. Only the client can decide how to weigh incarceration risk, the strength of the evidence, a proposed plea, and the possibility that a disposition could affect immigration status or lead to deportation and separation from family and friends.

Because we practice both criminal defense and immigration law, our attorneys analyze how a charge, plea, sentence, or conviction may affect a noncitizen when those issues apply. A resolution that appears favorable in the criminal case may still affect removal risk, detention, reentry, lawful status, or a future naturalization application. The analysis depends on the person’s immigration status, criminal history, offense, disposition, and sentence.

Our attorneys and paralegals are fluent in Spanish and English, allowing clients and families to discuss the criminal case and related immigration concerns directly with our team.

Mr. Terezakis frequently lectures at continuing legal education seminars sponsored by bar associations across the country on criminal convictions and immigration consequences. Other criminal defense attorneys consult us about the immigration consequences of plea agreements for noncitizen clients.

Criminal Defense Near Nassau County Courts

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. Nassau County Court handles felony trials, while the appropriate District Court and procedure depend on the charge, location, and posture of the case. Our office also defends individuals facing criminal prosecution in Suffolk and Queens Counties.

If you or a loved one faces criminal charges, contact our Nassau County criminal defense lawyer at (516) 550-5323 today. We provide bilingual representation that addresses the criminal case and potential immigration consequences when they apply.