Rockland County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Rockland County Criminal Defense Attorney

When you’re charged with a crime, your liberty and livelihood are at stake. It’s a stressful and daunting time, and time is of the essence. If you or a loved one is charged with a crime in Rockland County, it is very important that you have someone you can trust with the experience and knowledge to handle your criminal case. At Greco Neyland, PC, a Rockland County criminal defense lawyer from our firm can defend you against your charges.

About Greco Neyland, PC

Greco Neyland, PC, is a leading criminal defense law firm representing clients across New York City and New York State, including Rockland County. Fluent in Spanish, our team is ready to help you today. Greco Neyland, PC, was founded by prosecutors, so we come with a plethora of experience on both sides of the courtroom. Having experienced the prosecutorial side of criminal litigation firsthand, we know how to evaluate and utilize that knowledge to create an effective defense for each of our clients.

Understanding Criminal Charges in Rockland County

Rockland County, like the rest of New York, has a stringent legal framework governing criminal offenses. When facing allegations, it is important to understand the various types of charges and the potential consequences so that you’re aware of your rights within the system. Here are some common criminal charges in Rockland County:

• Drug-Related Offenses: These include drug possession, distribution, manufacturing, and trafficking. Penalties depend on the type and quantity of drugs and can range from fines and probation to long prison sentences.
• DWI (Driving While Intoxicated): DWI, aggravated DWI, and DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) are all covered under this category. Penalties can include fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education programs, and jail time.
• Theft and Property Crimes: Offenses can include petty larceny, grand larceny, burglary, and robbery. Penalties depend on the value of the stolen property and the circumstances.
• Violent Crimes: This category encompasses assault, sexual assault, domestic violence, gun crimes, and homicide. Penalties can be severe and include prison time, fines, and other long-term implications.

Defense Strategies

A sturdy defense strategy involves attacking the prosecution’s evidence, showing that the defendant didn’t intend to commit the crime, and asserting an alibi or claim of self-defense. It also involves examining the legality of evidence collection, poking holes in evidence that appears inconsistent, and negotiating for fair plea deals. Overall, a defense lawyer’s job is to make sure their client receives a fair trial.

The Importance of a Thorough Case Investigation

You need a thorough investigation of your case before you set foot in a courtroom. At Greco Neyland, PC, we look at police reports, interview witnesses, and examine both physical and forensic evidence to see if any procedural errors or violations of your rights occurred during the investigation. The goal is to discover anything that might affect your case, either to prove your innocence or undermine the prosecution’s case.

Our diligent investigators seek out any information that could be useful in disproving the prosecution’s case and coming to your defense. This means finding every potential crack in the prosecution’s case to shift the outcome in your favor.

The Role of Plea Bargaining in Criminal Defense

Plea bargaining is essential to the effective functioning of our criminal justice system, where both sides get to negotiate the charge and sometimes the sentence. For many defendants, this means less serious charges and an improved outcome rather than being forced to take their chances at trial.

We strive to negotiate a fair plea deal based on our years of experience with New York laws and how they apply to your specific situation. Working with Greco Neyland, PC, can ensure that you get a fair and just outcome that works for you.

The Impact of a Criminal Record and How to Mitigate It

A criminal record carries lifelong consequences. Everything in your life is impacted, from employment and housing to personal relationships and reputation. Our attorneys can show you how to reduce these burdens by applying for expungement, a Certificate of Relief From Disabilities, or a Certificate of Good Conduct. As you rehabilitate your life, you may be able to show that you are now a law-abiding citizen and minimize some of the aftereffects that the conviction has had on your life.

The Importance of Expungement and Record Sealing

One of the most important services that a criminal defense lawyer can provide but can unintentionally overlook is the sealing or expungement of one’s record. Both of these procedures can dramatically decrease the impact of a criminal conviction on a person’s life. Although true expungement (the erasure of the record of a criminal conviction) is extremely rare in New York, record sealing significantly restrains the public and certain employers from accessing criminal records.

Benefits of Record Sealing

There are many benefits of record sealing. It can enhance employment opportunities, as many employers do background checks and won’t look upon a criminal record favorably. It can also improve your future housing opportunities since many landlords do background checks. Sealing records can also help restore professional licenses or certificates and lead to better loan terms at the bank.

The Role of Technology in Modern Criminal Defense

Technology affects the way that criminal defense work is done, the way cases are investigated and presented, and how they are adjudicated. New forensic science, digital evidence, and legal software can significantly aid the defense’s counsel. By staying at the forefront of technological innovations, we can ensure our ability to serve our clients’ interests in today’s legal environment.

Forensic Science and DNA Analysis

Forensic science, most significantly DNA analysis, has changed criminal defense in many ways. Biological evidence, like hair or blood, can either nail down a defendant as the killer or exonerate them. This often saves innocent people from being falsely convicted.

Digital Evidence and Cyber Forensics

In a world where more and more evidence seems to be digital, cyber forensics is almost always necessary in criminal defense. Deleted emails, text messages, posts to social media, or other forms of online communication can be some of the most critical pieces of evidence available. Tracing the location of devices, finding and recovering deleted data, or authenticating digital evidence can build a defense or uncover something about the crime that proves the defendant’s innocence.

Video and Audio Evidence Analysis

The use of state-of-the-art video and audio analysis software can detect patterns and highlight discrepancies in surveillance footage and recorded statements. These tools can also sharpen inaudible recordings and suppress otherwise admissible prosecution evidence in cases that rely on video surveillance or recorded confessions.

There is quite a lot that goes into a comprehensive defense strategy. With an experienced and qualified attorney like one of ours fighting on your behalf, you have a much better shot at a fair trial.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost in NYC?

A: The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer in NYC can vary greatly. Depending on factors such as the lawyer’s experience, the complexity of the case, and the case’s severity, a lawyer’s fee can range from hundreds to thousands. Details like hourly rates, flat fees, and retainers all contribute to the overall cost. Therefore, it is very important to discuss your potential attorney’s fee structures and payment options during the initial consultation to make sure they’re a good fit.

Q: What If a Defense Lawyer Knows That Their Client Is Guilty?

A: If a defense lawyer knows that their client is guilty, they still have an ethical duty to provide a strong, efficient defense. Above all, their primary responsibility is to ensure that the client receives a fair trial while protecting their legal rights. Often, this will be a fight against the prosecution’s evidence, arguing for a fair result that is consistent with the law. A lawyer is not permitted to submit false evidence or knowingly permit their client to commit perjury.

Q: Can a Lawyer Go Against Their Client’s Wishes?

A: Generally, a lawyer must assume that the client’s wishes are consistent with good-faith efforts to achieve the objectives of the representation unless they are being asked to do something illegal, unethical, or destructive to the client’s case. A lawyer may withdraw from the case, with the court’s permission, if they are unable to find common ground with their client.

Q: Why Do Defense Attorneys Often Defend Clients They Know to Be Guilty?

A: Defense attorneys argue on behalf of guilty clients because they believe that every person is entitled to both legal representation and a fair trial. A defense attorney’s job is to make sure that the prosecution proves its case beyond a reasonable doubt. They are not morally obligated to determine guilt or innocence, as their sole duty is to advocate for their client within the confines of the law. This helps make the justice system fair and prevents miscarriages of justice.

Contact a Rockland County Criminal Defense Lawyer

For anyone accused of committing a crime, having a great defense attorney on your legal team can make a serious difference. You can trust Greco Neyland, PC, to stand by your side from the initial investigation and plea bargaining to aggressive courtroom defense and post-conviction relief. We speak Spanish and are prepared to serve you immediately.

Whether you’re currently facing criminal charges in Rockland County or even think that you might be under investigation, you should seek help. Contact us today for a consultation.