Staten Island Violent Crimes Attorney

Violent Crimes Lawyer in Staten Island, NY

There are a number of violent crimes you can be charged with in New York, many of which come with probation, fines, even long prison sentences. Many violent offenses cannot be expunged from your record in New York, meaning that it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side from the beginning to help ensure the best possible outcome for your case. You want a Staten Island violent crimes lawyer who can aggressively and strategically fight for your future.

Hire a Staten Island Violent Crimes Attorney at The Law Office of Tracy & Tracy

The Law Office of Tracy & Tracy can zealously fight for you. We can investigate the charges against you and determine the ideal method of defense. Our team can minimize or get the charges against you dismissed. The attorneys at our firm have recently been elected to the Richmond County Bar Association board, and they have spent years fighting for the interests of people like you.

Brendan Tracy has previously served as a prosecutor, working alongside some of the most experienced and dedicated trial attorneys and prosecutors for years. This experience gives him unique insight when building criminal defense strategies, finding weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and protecting the rights and interests of his clients and their families.

Our firm has professional relationships with local courts, including the 13th Judicial District, located at 26 Central Avenue. A violent criminal conviction can impact the rest of your life, potentially resulting in life in prison. Never take chances with a serious criminal offense. Instead, secure experienced legal representation quickly.

Violent Criminal Offenses in Staten Island

Violent offenses involve harm, force, or threat of violence against another person. Violent crimes include assault, burglary, rape, and murder, along with offenses involving a deadly weapon or firearm.

In 2023, there were 1,723 violent criminal offenses reported in Richmond County, according to the state’s Division of Criminal Justice Services, including 1,308 aggravated assaults and 311 robberies. This was a violent crime rate of 354.3 per 100,000 people.

Preliminary 2024 statistics for Staten Island reported by the New York Police Department include some of the following criminal complaints:

• 956 felony assault cases
• 345 burglaries
• 295 robberies
• 62 cases of rape
• Eight murders

These criminal charges should be taken very seriously. Often, they are categorized as violent felony offenses, meaning they have much more severe penalties associated with them.

Penalties for Violent Offenses in New York City

Penalties for common violent offenses like assault, rape, homicide, burglary, and robbery in New York depend on a number of factors. An experienced firm like The Law Office of Tracy & Tracy can help best position you for success – negotiating with the prosecutor and judge for reduced charges, working out a plea deal, or executing an aggressive defense strategy at trial.

Penalties can depend on factors like:

• The severity of the offense. The crime you’re charged with – what degree is it? First degree murder has stiffer penalties than second or third degree murder, and an adept attorney can argue for reduced charges. For example, in a case where the higher charge needs to show premeditation, your attorney may argue that the charge should be reduced because the evidence doesn’t show premeditation of the crime.
• Prior offenses. What is your criminal history? Are you a repeat offender of the same crime? Do you have other, unrelated convictions? Defendants with no prior convictions may have a better chance at less of a penalty, but your attorney may be able to argue that unrelated past convictions don’t have a bearing on this case.
• Aggravating factors for injury. These encompass the extent of harm done to the victim. More serious and debilitating injuries are likely to result in more severe charges.
• Other aggravating factors. These include whether a weapon was utilized, whether the target of the offense was a police officer or another person employed by the state, or if it was a crime of domestic violence.
• Additional offenses. Other charges along with the violent crime charge – when compounded together, these penalties can be very steep. You need an experienced attorney like Brendan Tracy to best defend your rights.

Violent felony offenses that are named by statute have worse penalties than non-violent offenses of the same category. Only Class A felonies don’t have a violent counterpart, as these felonies involve sentences of life imprisonment. Depending on the crime you are being charged with, you could be facing the following penalties:

• Class E violent felony. This offense results in a minimum of one and a half years of improvement and up to four years. A Class E felony also has a fine of up to $5,000.
• Class D violent felony. This can lead to imprisonment for between two and seven years, but specific offenses could result in between two and eight and a half years. Others could lead to between three and a half and seven years of imprisonment. A Class D felony also results in a fine of up to $5,000.
• Class C violent felony. This offense can result in between three and a half and 15 years of imprisonment, but it could range to a minimum of seven years and/or up to a maximum of twenty years for certain offenses. A Class C felony includes a fine up to $15,000.
• Class B violent felony. This results in between five and 25 years of imprisonment, but that may increase to between 10 and 30 years for specific offenses. A Class B felony also results in a fine of up to $30,000.
• Class A felonies. In addition to life imprisonment, an A-II felony leads to fines of up to $50,000, while an A-I felony results in fines of up to $100,000.

The consequences of a violent felony conviction do not end in criminal penalties. There can be numerous social, personal, and reputational consequences. It can cost you your employment and freedom. After you serve a prison sentence, you may be unable to secure many opportunities, such as in housing, employment, or education. The most effective way to avoid these consequences is to work with a skilled attorney.

MEET BRENDAN TRACY

As a prosecutor at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, Brendan handled every type of criminal case, from DWI, Assault, Grand Larceny, Domestic Violence and Criminal Possession of a Weapon to the most serious crimes including Rape, Sexual Abuse, Attempted Murder and Murder. As a Deputy Bureau Chief of the Staten Island District Attorney’s Office Domestic Violence Bureau, he helped to oversee a bureau of over ten prosecutors, making high-level decisions regarding arrest charges, prosecution strategies, and trial assistance. He also handled  his own Homicide cases. working on the investigations, indictments, hearings, trials, and dispositions.

Brendan knows what it takes to advocate for those accused of committing a crime because he has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to prosecute someone who has been arrested for committing a crime.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Cost in New York?

A: The fees for a violent crimes defense lawyer in New York will vary significantly, depending on your case and the attorney. Violent crime cases are likely to be more costly than other cases because of their severity. Some violent offenses can result in life imprisonment, so much more time, effort, and resources are needed to build an effective defense.

Q: What Is Considered a Violent Felony in New York?

A: Violent felonies in New York are listed by the state’s violent crime laws. They include some of the following:

• Menacing a police officer
• Persistent sexual abuse
• Placing a false bomb
• Strangulation
• Making a terroristic threat
• Criminal possession or sale of a firearm
• Rape
• Sexual abuse
• Aggravated sexual abuse
• Burglary
• Gang assault
• Assault on a police officer
• Kidnapping
• Aggravated manslaughter
• Sex trafficking
• Arson
• Attempting to commit murder
• Criminal use of a firearm

Q: What Does a Homicide Lawyer Do?

A: A homicide lawyer is a criminal defense lawyer. They defend individuals who are accused of a homicide offense, such as murder or manslaughter. An attorney investigates the charges against the individual, reviews the evidence the prosecution has, and considers their client’s side of the matter. The attorney reviews the ideal strategies for defense to secure the ideal outcome, including options for a plea deal and the defenses that can be used in court.

Q: Can a Violent Felony Be Expunged in New York?

A: No, violent felonies cannot be expunged from your criminal record in New York. In this state, expungement is called sealing. A conviction for any violent offense cannot be sealed, along with a Class A felony, homicide felony, sex offense, and certain other ineligible offenses.

Therefore, if you are convicted of a violent felony in New York, it is permanently on your criminal record, which is accessible to employers, landlords, schools, law enforcement, and many others.

Hire a Violent Crimes Lawyer in Staten Island

When you need an aggressive and dedicated legal defense, contact The Law Office of Tracy & Tracy to learn what our firm can do to protect your future.