Nassau County
Violent Crime Lawyer
Nassau County Violent Crime Attorney
It is incredibly serious if you are facing violent criminal charges. Conviction can alter your entire life, even resulting in a lifetime behind bars. It is essential that you work with a Nassau County violent crime lawyer to build a strong defense and understand what options you have for mitigating or eliminating your criminal charges.
In such cases, there is a great deal at stake, and it can be overwhelming. You need experienced legal support. At the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, we have years of experience navigating complex criminal cases and understand the importance of compassion, effective communication, and a strong defense. The consequences of conviction can be catastrophic, and it is essential that you do what you can to protect your rights.
Misdemeanors and the preliminary steps of felony cases in Nassau County will likely be handled by the 10th Judicial District. This courthouse is located at 99 Main Street in Hempstead. Our firm has extensive professional experience in local courts that handle cases like yours.
What Is a Violent Crime in Nassau County?
A violent crime is typically any offense that includes the presence of force or physical harm, the threat of that force or harm, or the attempted use of that force or harm. New York law lists the offenses by statute that are considered violent felonies. Misdemeanors are not violent crimes in the state.
In 2019, there were 1,179 violent crime offenses reported in Nassau County, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In 2024, the Division of Criminal Justice Services reported 2,294 violent offenses in Nassau County, including 1,577 aggravated assaults and 542 robberies. Of the total violent offenses in the county, 219, or 10% of them, involved firearms.
What Are Common Types of Violent Crimes?
Under state law, some of the crimes considered to be violent felonies include:
- Murder
- Aggravated murder
- Vehicular manslaughter
- Kidnapping
- Terrorism
- Use of a chemical weapon
- Predatory sexual assault
- Rape
- Arson
- Assault
- Criminal weapon possession
- Aggravated strangulation
- Gang offenses
- Weapons offenses
- Robbery
- Burglary
- Domestic violence
- Menacing
Why Is It Important to Hire a Violent Crimes Lawyer in Nassau County?
Being convicted of a violent crime in Nassau County can have serious effects on your life. It impacts your freedom, your finances, your reputation, and more. Even once you have served your sentence, having a criminal record can have numerous consequences on your employment, credit, housing, and more.
The most effective way to avoid these severe consequences is to avoid conviction. When you hire a criminal defense lawyer, you are more likely to avoid a conviction or have the charges against you reduced. An attorney reviews your case, the accusations against you, the evidence the prosecution has, and the facts of your arrest. All this information is important when creating a defense.
The sooner you begin working with an attorney, the sooner they can build your defense, determine if your rights were upheld, and find issues in the prosecution’s case against you. Your attorney reviews potentially defense strategies and determines the ideal way to get the most beneficial outcome for your case.
What Are the Penalties Associated With Violent Crimes?
New York has separate penalties for felonies, regardless of whether they are considered violent or non-violent. Violent felonies may carry higher sentencing possibilities and are subject to mandatory minimum sentencing.
- Class E violent felony. Conviction of this offense carries a maximum sentence of four years, and violent offenses are accompanied by a mandatory minimum imprisonment of one and a half years. There is also a fine of up to $5,000.<
- Class D violent felony. This felony offense carries a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of two years. However, certain offenses can increase the sentence length from two to eight years or result in a mandatory minimum sentence of three and a half years. There is also a fine of up to $5,000.
- Class C violent felony. This offense carries a potential imprisonment of up to 15 years, with a minimum sentence of three and a half years. Other violent offenses carry a minimum sentence of five years, while some may require imprisonment for between seven and 20 years. Fines can reach up to $15,000.
- Class B violent felony. Conviction of this felony includes imprisonment up to 25 years, with a minimum sentence of five years. Specific Class B violent felonies can result in imprisonment ranging from 10 to 30 years. Fines can reach up to $30,000.
Class A felonies do not have a violent counterpart. These felonies are violent offenses that result in life imprisonment, and include fines of up to $50,000 to $100,000.
FAQs About Nassau County Violent Crime Laws
What Are the Four Offenses That Make Up Violent Crimes?
Under FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) guidelines, violent crimes include aggravated assault, robbery, rape, and non-negligent murder. These offenses are crimes that are committed with force, physical harm, or the threat of physical harm. Unlike property crimes, violent offenses occur when the victim is there. Most violent crimes are also felonies.
What Violent Crime Is Committed the Most in New York?
Out of more than 80,000 violent crimes committed in the state of New York, there were nearly 54,000 aggravated assaults. In Nassau County, the most-often committed violent crime was also aggravated assault. Robberies tended to be the next most common type of violent crime committed. Most violent crimes occur at a rate much lower than property crimes.
What Time of Day Do Most Violent Crimes Occur?
30% of violent crimes committed by adults occur between 6:00 and 11:00 p.m., according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Violent crimes committed by youth are more likely to occur from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., and 37% of violent crimes committed by those younger than 18 occurred from noon to 5:00 p.m. Violent crimes are likely to occur later in the day compared to property crimes.
What Should You Do After an Arrest for a Violent Crime?
After an arrest for a violent crime in New York, you need to exercise your rights, including your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney. It is important to get in contact with a violent crime defense lawyer. When you hire a violent crime lawyer, they can defend your rights and help you craft your defense strategy. An attorney could help you limit or avoid the consequences of a violent crime conviction.
Contact Us
If you need a Union County violent crime lawyer, it is time to get in contact with our firm. The Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, are well-versed in these crimes and have the experience needed to defend you throughout your case. Contact our office today so we may begin protecting your rights.
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New York law covers various types of assaults. Each assault category has its own specific penalties and ranges in classifications from misdemeanors to felonies. Some of the most common types of assaults include:
Vehicular Assault – A vehicular assault may fall under the category of a Class E or Class D felony in New York state. A common example of vehicular assault is when a driver has a blood alcohol level above the legal limit and causes bodily harm to another person while operating a vehicle. If the vehicular assault results in a fatality, the driver could be charged with vehicular manslaughter. Depending on the specific circumstances, a vehicular manslaughter conviction may result in a jail sentence of up to 25 years and $5,000 in fines, according to DrivingLaws.com.
Gang Assault – When someone teams up with one or more individuals to commit an assault on another person, this is considered a gang assault in New York. The National Gang Center states that a first-degree gang assault is considered a class B felony while a second-degree gang assault is classified as a class C felony. A person charged with a class B felony may have to serve a prison term of between five and twenty-five years. A class C felony is a less serious offense and does not require a sentence longer than seven years.
Assault on a Police Officer – Physically harming a police officer is considered a serious offense in New York and could leave you with a class C felony on your record. An aggravated assault of a police officer is considered a class B felony, which may carry a prison sentence of up to 30 years. According to YPDCrime.com, you could face similar charges if you assault a peace officer, paramedic or firefighter.
Assault in the 3rd Degree – This broad category comes with a class A felony charge, which is the highest degree of felony and may include life imprisonment. Justia describes this type of assault as someone who causes harm to another person in a reckless or criminally negligent manner with egregious damages.
If you have been accused of committing an assault, your defense attorney will compile evidence that may prove your innocence or at least minimize your involvement in the crime. Any witnesses who were present and can provide testimony on your behalf can be brought into court to give statements. In the event that you are called upon to take the stand and testify on your own behalf, you will be advised on what to say by your attorney. If a jury is arranged to decide the outcome of your case, an argument that highlights your version of the events will be prepared and presented. Your legal representative will attempt to negotiate with the judge and prosecuting lawyer to overturn or reduce your charges. Every measure will be taken to ensure that you receive a fair trial.
The Law Offices of Robert Tsigler can give you legal guidance to help you throughout each phase of the process. Your case will be examined in a timely manner so that you can start preparing for court sooner. Call today to receive a consultation.
The Violent Crime Attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC are Ready to Fight for You!
Getting representation as soon as possible following any Violent Crime-related charge is the best way to promote a positive result from a subsequent trial. These charges are considered very serious. Only an experienced Nassau County Violent Crime lawyer can successfully defend your case.
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