If you have been arrested or accused of a crime, you need to act quickly to protect your rights. Depending on the charges, a conviction can result in a lengthy prison sentence and collateral consequences, including forfeiting your right to vote and losing your eligibility for certain professional licenses and government benefits. Having a permanent criminal record can also interfere with employment and housing opportunities. When your future is hanging in the balance, that’s the time to call a tough criminal defense attorney.
Heiferman and Associates, PLLC provides aggressive and efficient legal representation to clients throughout New York City, Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island. In Queens, our service areas include Flushing, Astoria, Forest Hills, and Bayside. Backed by extensive experience and working knowledge of New York Penal Law, we are committed to balancing the scales of justice, making sure our clients receive due process and preserving their freedom.
Common Criminal Defense Cases We Handle
We are comfortable in both the state and federal court, and handle a wide range of misdemeanor and felony offenses, including:
When you consult us, we will take the time to explain all of your rights and help you navigate the criminal justice system.
Why Choose Heiferman and Associates?
After an arrest, our criminal defense attorneys will quickly swing into action by representing you at the arraignment. This is the initial court appearance where you are formally charged and bail is set. We will work to secure your release so that you can get back to your day-to-day life, your job, and your family. We will also explain your rights, as well as potential defenses that we may be able to assert.
Regardless of the charges you are facing, you can rest assured that we always presume your innocence and never judge you. We believe that is crucial for us to be upfront about your prospects at trial as much as it is for you to be able to speak openly and freely about your circumstances. We encourage your participation in your case — together we will mount an aggressive defense.
Criminal Defense Strategies
A well-conceived criminal defense strategy has 3 components: pre-trial investigation, preparation, and evidence collection. We start by obtaining and reviewing the police report to not only to understand the facts of the case, but also to identify potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Above all, we will also determine whether your civil rights were violated and, if so, move to have any evidence suppressed or to have the charges dropped.
Further, we will identify and interview potential witnesses to the crime, including the alleged victim and the arresting police officers. When necessary, we will collaborate with our network of investigators and forensic experts to collect and preserve evidence, particularly any evidence of your innocence (referred to as “exculpatory evidence”). Moreover, we leverage our knowledge and resources to challenge any lab results and scientific evidence collected by the police. Finally, will also seek personnel and employment records of the arresting officers, investigators, technicians and other parties who are building a case against you.
In addition to detailed investigative work, we prepare and file all required legal motions in accordance with the rules of criminal procedure; it takes an experienced criminal defense attorney to handle this aspect of your case — any mistakes may work against you. Above all, we will fight for you in court and assert valid defenses.
Of course, the strongest defense is to have an alibi — you were not at the scene when the crime was committed. Another possible defense is that you were misidentified, especially because eyewitnesses are often unreliable. A case of mistaken identity can not only lead to an arrest but a wrongful conviction as well.
In any event, the prosecution must be able to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We will aggressively cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses, summon witnesses for your defense, and, when appropriate, develop alternative theories of the crime. Our objective is to have the charges dismissed or to win an acquittal at trial. Depending on the circumstances, however, we may recommend seeking a plea deal in exchange for a more lenient sentence. In case of a conviction, we will determine if there is a basis for an appeal and continue fighting for your freedom.
Contact Our Queens Criminal Defense Attorney
Heiferman and Associates has a proven track record of achieving successful outcomes inside and outside of the courtroom. Whether by winning an acquittal or negotiating a plea agreement, we will always put your best interests first. Our decades of experience in both prosecution and criminal defense gives us an advantage as we can anticipate how your case will be prosecuted. Knowing that the prospect of a jail or prison sentence is frightening, we will stand by you every step of the way offering you objective insights and moral support.
Through our years of practice, we have developed working relationships with prosecutors and judges, which can help us when we seek to minimize potential jail time, reduce or modify bond conditions, or make arrangements for alternative sentencing. You can count on us to maintain close contact with you, keeping you fully informed about the progress of your case. Although being charged with a crime can be an emotional and financial burden, we can help to lift that burden with powerful legal representation. When your future is on the line, don’t go up against the government alone. Contact our office today so we can start defending your freedom.