Queens Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been charged with a crime in Queens, or if you believe you may be under investigation for a suspected criminal offense, you need to contact a skilled and experienced defense attorney as soon as possible. Even a relatively minor offense can result in devastating penalties, including costly fines and jail time, while a serious crime could send you to prison for decades or even the rest of your life.
The New York City criminal attorneys of Sullivan & Galleshaw have over 30 years of combined experience handling a wide array of felony and misdemeanor cases throughout the borough of Queens, including but not limited to Astoria, Bayside, Far Rockaway, Flushing, Glendale, Howard Beach, Jackson Heights, Jamaica, Kew Gardens, Little Neck, Long Island City, Murray Hill, North Corona, Ozone Park, Ridgewood, and Whitestone. Call our law offices immediately at (800) 730-0135 for a free and completely confidential legal consultation.
Queens Criminal Defense Attorneys Handling Misdemeanor and Felony Cases
It is vital that your Queens defense attorney has experience handling the type of crime you have been accused of committing. The criminal lawyers of Sullivan & Galleshaw are qualified to represent defendants facing a broad range of criminal charges in Queens, including but not limited to the following:
- Assault and Violent Crimes
- Aggravated Assault
- Domestic Violence
- Gang Assault
- Hate Crimes
- Reckless Endangerment
- Robbery
- Simple Assault
- Stalking
- Vehicular Assault
- Drug Offenses
- Drug Distribution
- Drug Possession
- Drug Trafficking
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Prescription Fraud
- Adderall
- Cocaine
- Crack Cocaine
- Fentanyl
- Heroin
- Ketamine
- LSD (Acid)
- Marijuana
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
- Methadone
- Methamphetamine
- Morphine
- OxyContin
- PCP (Phencyclidine)
- Percocet
- Psilocybin Mushrooms
- Vicodin
- Xanax
- DUI/DWI (Driving Under the Influence/Driving While Intoxicated)
- Aggravated DWI
- DWAI (Driving While Ability-Impaired), Alcohol
- DWAI, Drugs
- DWAI, Combination
- First Offense DWI
- High BAC DWI
- Injury DWI
- Repeat DWI Offenses
- Homicide Crimes
- Aggravated Manslaughter
- Aggravated Murder
- Criminally Negligent Homicide
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- Sex Offenses
- Aggravated Sexual Abuse
- Prostitution
- Rape
- Sexual Abuse
- Sexual Misconduct
- Statutory Rape
- Theft (Larceny) and Related Offenses
- Burglary
- Grand Theft (Grand Larceny)
- Petty Theft (Petit Larceny)
- Possession of Burglar’s Tools
- Weapons Crime
- Concealed Firearms
- Gun Possession
- Gun Sales
New York Crime Penalties: Jail Time, Prison Sentencing, and Fines
New York City categorizes criminal offenses as felonies or misdemeanors. Felonies are more serious, but both types of crimes will give you a criminal record if you are convicted. Not only can having a criminal record change the way you are perceived by friends and family; it can also make it much more difficult for you to earn professional licenses, get hired, and take advantage of financial opportunities, particularly if the record relates to a felony. Additionally, a felony conviction in New York City will strip you of your gun ownership rights.
There are three types of misdemeanors and nine types of felonies in New York, each designated by an alphabetical “class.” These designations are very important, because they determine the sentence the defendant may face if he or she is convicted. New York criminal fines and sentences are listed below by class, beginning with misdemeanors.
- Unclassified Misdemeanor
Fine – Set by the relevant criminal statute
Sentence – Set by the relevant criminal statute - Class B Misdemeanor
Fine – Up to $500
Sentence – Up to 3 months in jail - Class A Misdemeanor
Fine – Up to $1,000
Sentence – Up to 1 year in jail
The maximum fine for a felony is generally $5,000 or, where applicable, twice what the defendant gained by committing the offense – whichever amount is higher. However, the maximum fine is much larger for certain felonies involving marijuana and controlled substances. The fine for a felony drug crime in New York City may be as great as $15,000, $30,000, $50,000, or even $100,000, depending on the offense and other factors.
- Class E Non-Violent Felony – No jail, probation, 1 1/3 to 4 years
- Class E Violent Felony – No jail, probation, 1 ½ to 4 years
- Class D Non-Violent Felony – No jail, probation, 1-3 to 7 years
- Class D Violent Felony – 2 to 7 years
- Class C Non-Violent Felony – No jail, probation, 1-2 years to 15 years
- Class C Violent Felony – 3 ½ to 15 years
- Class B Non-Violent Felony – 1-3 years with a maximum sentence of 25 years
- Class B Violent Felony – 5 to 25 years
- Class A Violent Felony – 20 to 25 years, life in prison
Fines, probation, and incarceration are not the only penalties that can result from a criminal conviction in Queens. Depending on the nature of the offense, the person may also:
- Lose their driver’s license
- Be required to perform community service
- Be required to register as a sex offender
- Be required to pay victim restitution
- Be required to install an ignition interlock device, which works like a breathalyzer, in their personal vehicle
Arrested in Queens? Contact the Defense Lawyers of Sullivan & Galleshaw
If you received a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT), or if one of your family members was arrested by the NYPD in Queens, aggressive legal representation is absolutely critical. There is no time to waste building your case. Do not wait to seek legal counsel until it is already too late.
For efficient, strategic representation that’s driven by over 30 years of combined experience handling cases in Queens County Criminal Court, call the law offices of Sullivan & Galleshaw at (800) 730-0135 to set up a free legal consultation. Whether you have questions about bail, need to schedule an attorney jail visit, or are concerned a loved one is under investigation, we are here to support and assist you in any way we can.