Felony Charges Attorney in Westchester County, New York

Are You Facing Charges in New York?
We Can Help.

If you are facing a serious crime, our New York felony charge attorney can help. Crimes are charged as felonies and characterized in New York Penal Law as offenses for which a sentence of imprisonment in excess of a year can be imposed. Suspects are aggressively pursued by both law enforcement and prosecutors.

If convicted of a New York State (or federal) felony, you lose many of the rights and privileges afforded to law-abiding American citizens, such as:

• Your right to vote (while in prison and on parole)

• Ability to legally purchase a firearm

• Sitting on a jury

• Collecting welfare

• Living in government-funded housing

• Getting financial aid for school

• Holding professional licenses (and possibly having to surrender those you already have)

• If on probation – the freedom to move to another city or state and the freedom to travel.

If you have a felony conviction on your criminal record, it’s also a part of your credit record. This means you may have a hard time renting an apartment or home, getting a good job, and engaging in financial transactions.

Classifications of New York Felony Crimes

New York felonies fall into five general categories (A-I & II, B, C, D, and E). We list them below from least to most serious.

Class E – referred to as “non-violent” – felonies are the lowest such charge in New York. Though serious, extreme punishment does not accompany Class E felonies. For example, a DWI or DUI is charged as an E felony when you have one prior DWI conviction within the last 10 years. Others include grand larceny (theft) in the fourth degree, assault in the second degree, criminal possession of a firearm, and vehicular assault in the second degree. A Class E felony can carry incarceration of up to four years. Often, Class E felonies are reduced from more serious charges through plea bargaining. Another thing to remember is that even though they are the least serious, they still count as a predicate felony, meaning that they can be used to enhance the sentence for any future felony charge.

Class D felonies are a bit more serious; however, most Class D felonies are still considered non-violent offenses. D felonies include grand larceny in the third-degree, certain frauds, robbery in the third degree, and burglary in the third degree. A Class D felony can carry up to seven years in prison per offense. Often, more serious violent felonies can be reduced to a D non-violent felony. If charged with a D felony – depending on the crime and circumstances surrounding – we may be able to achieve reduction of the D felony charge to a misdemeanor.

Class C felonies can include more serious assaults, frauds, and violent thefts, robbery, and distribution of some types of drugs. Conviction of a Class C felony can carry high fines and a prison sentence of up to 15 years. Many C felonies are considered violent, which enhances the possible sentence. This is why if you are facing any criminal charges at all, especially if there are multiple felony charges, it’s very important to begin your aggressive defense with a New York felony charge attorney who has a track record of successful representation.

Class B felonies are very serious. They include homicide, armed robbery, many serious sex-related offenses, and several drug distribution and trafficking charges. Sentences vary, depending on the charge, but Class B felony prison sentences can be as high as 25 years. Lower (Class D or C) felonies can become Class B charges if a violent assault was also committed. Prosecutors will often charge as serious of a charge as possible, then consider a plea bargain reduction down to a lower level felony.

Class A felonies (both first & second class) are the worst crimes under New York Penal Law. They include all forms of murder, enterprise corruption, major drug trafficking, and serious forms of sexual predation. Since the death penalty was abolished in 2007, a Class A felony can carry up to a life sentence, often without any possibility of parole. Federal enterprise corruption (RICO), and drug and prostitution cases can also produce similar sentences.

We aggressively pursue the reduction of charges or complete dismissal in every felony case we handle. If you or a loved one has been accused, charged, or arrested for any felony, the Law Office of Michael D. Litman, PLLC is prepared to help and should be contacted as soon as possible.

To arrange a consultation with a Westchester felonies lawyer, contact us online or call us. We are well-versed in the most effective strategies for your defense and will be your tireless advocate.