Stay calm and do not resist. Clearly invoke your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney. Do not answer questions, make statements, or explain yourself to police without legal counsel present. Contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible, ideally before any formal questioning begins.

In New York, a misdemeanor is a less serious offense punishable by up to one year in jail. A felony is a more serious charge that can result in more than one year in state prison. Felonies also carry heavier long-term consequences, including impact on voting rights, employment, and professional licensing.

Your first court appearance, the arraignment, is where you are formally read the charges against you and asked to enter a plea. The judge may also set bail or release conditions at this hearing. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney at your arraignment can immediately affect the terms of your release and the trajectory of your case.

Yes. In New York, most moving violations add points to your driver's license. Accumulating 11 or more points within 18 months can result in a suspended license. Speeding, reckless driving, and failure to yield are common violations that add points quickly. A traffic ticket lawyer can help you contest violations before points are applied.

A suspended license means you cannot legally drive in New York for the duration of the suspension. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense that can result in additional fines, further suspension, and even jail time. Suspension can stem from points accumulation, unpaid fines, DWI/DUI convictions, or failure to appear in traffic court.

After an arrest in New York, you have the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and the right to know the charges against you. You cannot be held indefinitely without being arraigned. You do not have to consent to a search. Do not waive these rights without first speaking to a qualified criminal defense lawyer.

In New York, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. A first DWI offense is a misdemeanor, while repeat offenses or aggravated DWI charges can become felonies. Penalties include fines, license revocation, ignition interlock requirements, and potential jail time. A DWI attorney can challenge the stop, the sobriety tests, and the chemical test results on your behalf.

Criminal cases in New York can involve physical evidence, witness testimony, surveillance footage, digital records, police reports, and forensic analysis. Prosecutors rely on this evidence to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. An experienced criminal defense lawyer reviews all evidence for legal deficiencies, chain-of-custody problems, and constitutional violations.

In New York, dismissed charges may still appear on some background checks, even though they do not constitute a conviction. However, sealing a dismissed charge can prevent it from showing up on most background screenings. If you had a charge dismissed, speak with a criminal defense attorney in Albany or your local county about sealing options available under New York law.

Plea bargaining is a negotiation between your attorney and the prosecutor in which you agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge or accept a reduced sentence in exchange for avoiding trial. It is one of the most common ways criminal cases are resolved in New York. The decision to accept or reject a plea deal should always be made with full legal advice from your criminal defense lawyer.

Do not speak to police without an attorney present. Avoid discussing your case with other inmates, on phone calls from jail, or on social media. Do not try to explain or justify your actions before you've spoken with legal counsel. Anything you say can and will be used against you; silence is your strongest initial protection.