NYC Criminal Attorney
Presenting a strong defense from the outset of criminal proceedings can make all the difference for those who are accused of committing crimes in New York, so if you or a loved one were arrested for or charged with a criminal offense, it is critical to speak with an experienced New York City criminal defense attorney who can help advise you.
Types of Crimes in New York
New York’s penal code prohibits a wide range of conduct, but most offenses fall under the following categories:
- Assault
- Auto Crimes
- Bribery & Extortion Crimes
- Burglary
- Computer Crimes
- Conspiracy Crimes
- Criminal Record Sealing
- Desk Appearance Tickets (DAT)
- Domestic Violence
- DUI/DWUI/DWAI
- False Statement Crimes
- Federal Illegal Reentry
- Fraud Defense
- Grand Jury Investigations
- Grand Larceny
- Immigration
- Money Laundering
- Narcotics Crime
- Passport Crimes
- Prescription Diversion
- RICO & Enterprise Corruption
- Robbery
- Weapons Charge
- White Collar Crimes
All of these offenses vary in seriousness, with some being considered violations or misdemeanors and others being labeled as felony offenses.
New York Violations
New York criminal offenses fall under the following three main categories:
- Violations;
- Misdemeanors; and
- Felonies.
Violations are the least serious type of criminal offense in New York and include all offenses other than traffic infractions for which a person can be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of no more than15 days. Violations encompass a wide range of offenses, including everything from harassment and trespassing to disorderly conduct. Although violations are not technically crimes, those who are arrested for allegedly committing them can still be taken into custody, although in most cases, they will only be issued a notice to appear in court.
Misdemeanor Offenses
Misdemeanor offenses are more serious than violations and include all crimes that come with a potential sentence of imprisonment of between 15 days and one year. Misdemeanors are grouped into two classes. Class A misdemeanors are the most serious type of misdemeanor offense and as such, are punishable by up to a year in jail and three years of probation. Common Class A misdemeanors include stalking, petit larceny, criminal trespass, and reckless endangerment.
Class B offenses are less serious, as they come with three months of imprisonment and one year of probation. Prostitution, harassment, loitering, public lewdness, and possession of small amounts of marijuana all fall under this category.
Felony Offenses
Technically, any offense that comes with a potential punishment of up to one year imprisonment is a felony. There are, however, different classes of felonies that range in severity with Class A-I felonies representing the most serious offenses in the state and Class E felonies, the least serious crimes. Class A-I felony crimes include arson, aggravated murder, and kidnapping, while Class E felonies include aggravated harassment, conspiracy, and grand larceny. Offenses that fall in between these two categories, include burglary, fraud, manslaughter, and assault. The punishments that go along with a conviction for these crimes depends on the specific charge in question, whether an offense was violent in nature, and the defendant’s criminal history and age.
Contact an Experienced NYC Criminal Defense Attorney
Building a strong defense plays a crucial role in the outcome of a person’s criminal proceedings. To learn more about how an experienced NYC criminal defense attorney can help you with your own charges, please call Mark I. Cohen, Esq. at 212-732-0002 today.
