If you recently discovered you are the subject of a police investigation, it’s natural to feel concerned and anxious about your future. A criminal accusation is always a serious matter and it’s critical to give yourself every possible advantage when dealing with the case.
Hiring an experienced Astoria Criminal Defense Lawyer to handle your case could be the first step towards a successful resolution. Mike Schillinger is a skilled attorney in Astoria, and can provide essential help to you while you’re in police custody, ensuring that your Constitutional rights are protected. Mike will also work hard to gather evidence that will help you defeat the District Attorney’s case. He will fight for you at each and every court appearance, from arraignment to trial, giving you the best chance for a positive outcome on your case.
How Does the Law Classify Criminal Charges?
Every criminal charge in Astoria and throughout New York State carries serious penalties. Even minor charges can potentially carry jail sentences and leave you with a criminal record after conviction. Misdemeanors are the most common type of criminal offense that we see in the New York Court system. According to New York Penal Code § 70.15, a misdemeanor is an offense that courts can impose a jail term of no more than 364 days. These crimes include:
- Identity theft in the 3rd degree
- Assault in the 3rd degree
- First-offense DWI
- Criminal Mischief in the 4th degree
- Petit Larceny
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree
- And many others
Felonies on the other hand, are more severe offenses that typically carry a minimum of one year in prison along with hefty fines. Felonies include robberies, burglaries, sexual assaults, homicides, and many others. Mike Schillinger is a criminal defense attorney in Astoria that will fight for you both at the negotiation table and at trial. He’ll fight hard to get you a fair plea deal, or if that’s not possible, at trial, making sure that your rights are protected every step of the way.
Defending Criminal Offenses
Anyone facing criminal charges deserves aggressive legal representation at every stage of the case. Even before an arrest has occurred, Mike can help you try and discredit the police investigation or help to arrange a controlled surrender to law enforcement so you avoid the embarrassment of being arrested in front of family or at work. Once someone is in police custody, criminal defense lawyer Mike Schillinger will fight to prevent abusive police interrogation techniques and contest the validity of lineup identifications and other ID procedures. Furthermore, at your arraignment Mike will ensure to fight for the lowest bail possible given your specific circumstances.
A dedicated member of our legal team will work tirelessly during all court sessions up to and including a final trial. Experienced legal counsel can uncover evidence that disputes a prosecutor’s claims, file motions that exclude controversial information, and present defenses to juries that may help raise reasonable doubt in their minds. When your liberty is one the line, you want to ensure that you have a knowledgeable defense attorney in Astoria as your ally every step of the way.
Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney in Astoria Today for Help
Every moment is critical during a criminal case, beginning with the initial police investigation, and continuing all the way through trial. Therefore, it’s essential that you enlist the help of someone who will fight against the prosecutors on your behalf.
Using his expertise from representing numerous clients in the past, Mike will work to create reasonable doubt in the State’s case while protecting your Constitutional rights at every turn. Call today to learn how he can fight to defend you.