Criminal charges can leave you overwhelmed and damage your future. I’m attorney Mike Schillinger, and I fight to protect your interests and your future.
I’m Mike Schillinger, former prosecutor and experienced attorney serving New York clients in a range of complex and high-stakes criminal defense matters. I focus on providing personalized service and exceptional advocacy for clients facing some of the most difficult situations in their lives.
I’ve spent my entire career serving the public. I’ve worked as a criminal defense attorney, Assistant District Attorney, and also as a caseworker for a U.S. Congressman. Using that experience, I take a comprehensive approach on each of my clients’ cases and ensure that their cases are resolved as favorably and painlessly as possible.
Mike is an excellent attorney. He sat down with me and gave me all the time I needed. We were able to handle my issues that day. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer.
-Sean
VERY DETAILED, TECHNICAL AND DEDICATED
Mr. Michael Schillinger is a very passionate and dedicated lawyer. He personally commits himself to his clients. When I hired him, he used his professional expertise of strong technical skill and super-critical thinking ability with in-depth legal research to build my defense. Anyone who hires Mr. Schillinger has a higher chance of a good result…
When you’ve been arrested, it’s already too late to “explain yourself” to the police. Despite what many people think, you cannot talk yourself out of getting arrested. The police do not just ”chat” with you. They will actively interrogate you to get you to incriminate yourself. In fact, they can even lie to you to try and get a confession. The only way to truly protect your rights and interests is to immediately ask for an attorney and then say nothing else. Criminal accusations can lead to hefty fines and lengthy prison sentences. Being arrested, going through the booking process, and appearing in Court is intimidating, especially if you don’t have help from an aggressive and dedicated attorney like me.
Fortunately, as a skilled Islip criminal defense lawyer, I have experience working with people facing criminal charges. As your attorney, I will speak for you. I understand the criminal charges and the penalties you face. I understand the criminal procedure, the rules of evidence and I know how to use that knowledge to benefit you. Let me help you develop a viable strategy to minimize the consequences you are facing. When you’ve been accused of a crime, it’s natural to be frightened and confused. If you have been accused of any type of crime, I will fight to get you a favorable outcome on your case. Put yourself at ease by ensuring that you have someone in your corner fighting hard for you.
Generally speaking, there are three levels of offenses in New York State’s criminal justice system. While the specific consequences of each offense may vary, they all carry significant consequences, including fines, probation, incarceration, and even collateral consequences such as job loss, impact on immigration status, loss of financial aid, and even social stigma.
Violation
A violation is a minor offense not classified as a “crime.” The maximum penalty for a violation is imprisonment for 15 days or a fine. However, a guilty verdict on some violations may still appear on a person’s criminal record and can potentially rescind suspended sentences and/or parole terms.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors come in a few varieties. There are unclassified misdemeanors, which have their own specific penalties governed by the statute. However, the two most common types of misdemeanors in New York are class “A” and class “B” misdemeanors. Class “A” Misdemeanor carry a maximum jail sentence of 364 days, and class “B” Misdemeanors carry a maximum jail sentence of 3 months. Both can also carry probationary periods, and significant fines.
Felonies
The most severe crimes in New York are known as felonies. These crimes are separated into five classes, A-E, with A being the most serious. An “A” level felony can result in life imprisonment. The class of felony will typically dictate the potential prison time a person is facing, however, sentencing times can vary greatly depending on whether a person is a first-time offender, a non-violent predicate offender, or a violent predicate offender.
Whether a person faces charges alleging a first-time offense, Mike Schillinger is an experienced criminal defense attorney in Islip and will fight to get a favorable outcome and protect their future.
Don’t Face The Criminal Justice System Alone
Oftentimes I get new clients that come into my office complaining about their previous attorney. One of the most common complaints from them is that they felt ignored by their former lawyer. They felt like he or she did not explain the case to them, that they weren’t available, that they simply did not care. That will not be the case when you hire me. I make myself available for my clients around their schedule and keep them updated every step of the way. Unlike some other lawyers, I treat my clients as a partner when I handle their cases. I know that their cases are often the most important thing going on in their lives and that they need to be kept up to date with the most recent details of their case, so that they can make informed decisions.
Sometimes folks ask me “Well, can’t I just represent myself?” Depending on your background, the answer here might be yes – however, while you may be capable of representing yourself, facing criminal charges and navigating the criminal justice system is one of the most significant and challenging events in a person’s life, so why would you want to? I usually tell people that you also might be able to pull your own tooth, but isn’t it better to have an experienced Dentist do it for you? You need a professional who truly understands the big picture and knows how to get the job done. With your freedom on the line, don’t leave anything up to chance – make sure that you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent your interests and fight for you every step of the way.
Call me anytime. I’m available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergencies. Or if you prefer written communication, you may also use my online contact form below or reach me by email at law@michaelschillinger.com.
I will hear you out and work with you to develop a well-thought-out and nuanced defense. I will fight for you every step of the way, first at the negotiation table, then through the motions and hearings, and finally in the courtroom at trial. I will review all the evidence and fight hard on your behalf. The consequences of a criminal conviction can be life-changing, so don’t take any chances with your freedom.
Disorderly Conduct comes in a few different varieties, but each requires that the person intend to cause a public disturbance. This includes acting in a violent matter, making unreasonable noise, using abusive language, or even obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
Harassment in the 2nd degree is a violation and is generally a lesser charge that is included with a misdemeanor assault charge or a stalking charge. It comes up fairly frequently in domestic cases and is an example of a violation that does not seal, but instead remains on a person’s record.
This charge tends to come up in situations where you’ve been accused of stealing another person’s identity. The accusation here is that you used another person’s identity to try and benefit and enrich yourself.
While most people don’t think that graffiti charges are particularly severe, many of the District Attorney’s Offices treat them far more seriously than you would expect. A charge such as this can often carry hefty fines, community service, and even imprisonment.
Misdemeanor assault is one of the most common charges we see in the criminal courts, and the allegations can include bar fights, domestic incidents, disputes among friends, and many other scenarios. In order to be tried and convicted of a misdemeanor assault, the D.A. must prove that you not only hit another person, but that you also caused them physical injury. Many times, the test here is whether you caused them “substantial pain.” These types of injuries can range from lacerations to bruises, to broken bones. Depending on the severity of the injury, the misdemeanor assault can even be elevated to a felony assault.
On misdemeanor charges, the penalties range from three months to one year in jail, depending on whether a misdemeanor is a Class A or B. Likewise, the severity of a particular crime can influence whether the crime qualifies as a misdemeanor or felony.
This is the most serious assault charge a person can face, and as a result carries the most significant penalties. While there are a few different ways you can be charged with Assault 1, some of the more common ways include allegations that you seriously injured another person by means of a deadly weapon, that you intended to seriously and permanently disfigure another person and did so, or even that you recklessly engaged in conduct that could be considered a depraved indifference to human life, and your actions caused serious physical injury to another person. If you have been charged with Assault in the 1st degree, understand that even if it’s only your first offense, a conviction of Assault 1 carries a mandatory minimum period of incarceration of 5 years, followed by 2 ½ years of post-release supervisions for a first-time offender. Additionally, this sentencing time can go up significantly if you are a predicate felon.
Criminal Possession of a controlled substance in the 1st degree NY Pen. Law § 220.21
This is what is commonly referred to as an A1 drug felony, and it’s one of the most severe drug crimes you can be charged with. The charge here is rooted in the weight of the drugs that you have been alleged to have possessed, and if you find yourself charged with an A1 drug felony, you will be facing very serious prison time if convicted. A conviction of this charge, even for a first-time offender, carries a minimum of 8 years in prison, followed by 5 years of post-release supervision time.
Grand larceny comes in a few different varieties, all based upon the amount of property that you’re alleged to have stolen. The most serious Grand Larceny charge – Grand Larceny in the 1st degree, alleges that you’ve stolen over a million dollars in property. As a result, it carries some of the most severe penalties in these types of cases and can include a prison sentence of anywhere from a 1–3-year sentence, all the way up to 8 1/3 – 25 years, for a first-time offender.
Felonies are the most severe crimes – they carry higher fines, prison sentences, and probationary periods than misdemeanors, and can even result in lifelong prison sentences. A knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer should be able to provide you with more information about a charge and collect evidence to help prove your innocence.
Contact an Islip Criminal Defense Attorney Immediately
Whether you face a first-time offense for a violation or a multiple-count felony indictment, an experienced Islip criminal defense attorney is here to help. Attorney Mike Schillinger will hear you out and work with you to develop a well-thought-out and nuanced defense. He will fight for you every step of the way, first at the negotiation table, then through the motions and hearings, and finally in the courtroom at trial. He will review all the evidence and fight hard on your behalf.
The consequences of a criminal conviction can be life-changing, so don’t take any chances with your freedom. Contact Mike Schillinger today to see how we can fight for you.
Law office of Michael A. Schillinger, ESQ.
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