Founding Attorney
If you’ve been charged with a crime, one of the most important steps you can take is to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney. But there are many lawyers out there, each promising to make the strongest case to the prosecutor and the judge. How can you decide which firm is best for your criminal matter?
Asking the right questions will be vital as you speak with various lawyers and determine which one to select as your legal counsel. If you’ve been charged with a crime in Long Island or elsewhere in New York, find out how Michael A. Arbeit, P.C. can serve you. Here are the top six questions we recommend you ask:
Who Will Be Handling My Case?
When you retain an attorney to represent you in your criminal matter, you naturally want that lawyer to handle each stage of your case. You don’t want your case referred to another lawyer or a law firm, or to show up in court with someone you’ve never spoken to representing you. Worse, you certainly don’t want an attorney who is inexperienced with handling criminal defense matters in Long Island.
When you retain our law firm, you will have an experienced, dedicated attorney you know and trust representing you each step of the way and advocating for your rights.
How Much Will My Case Cost?
The actual cost of a criminal defense matter will vary based on such factors as the severity of the charges against you, the amount of work that will be necessary to make a compelling defense, and how complicated the facts of the case are. Our firm is upfront about our costs and will explain exactly what you can expect. We also offer a free initial consultation so you can better understand what your legal fees will be.
How Strong Is My Case?
The last thing you want is a lawyer who sugar coats the truth about the criminal charges you are facing and gives you a false sense of security. Your attorney will provide an honest and objective analysis of the relative strengths of the prosecution’s case and your defense. Then, we will get to work implementing a comprehensive defense strategy.
How Will My Case Be Handled?
Under New York law, the prosecutor is required to disclose their evidence and witness list to the defense attorney. By getting ahold of this information early on, we can begin developing a personalized defense to the charges against you. But we also work on obtaining our own independent evidence and speaking with any witnesses who can help exonerate you.
There are some situations in which it is best to seek a dismissal of some or all of the charges against you. In other cases, it may be a better strategy to enter into a plea bargain where you would plead guilty to lesser charges to avoid conviction of more serious crimes. Every Long Island criminal case is different, so we will advise you according to the facts and evidence.
How Long Will My Case Take?
The answer to this question depends on the type of crime you are facing (e.g. misdemeanor versus felony), how complicated the facts of the case are, the nature of the evidence against you, and other factors. Approximately 70% of felony cases in New York are resolved within 90 days, and over 90% are handled within a year. Misdemeanors and otherwise “simpler” cases should generally take less time.
How Often Will We Communicate?
As your case progresses and there are updates such as new evidence or scheduled hearings, your lawyer will update you. In other words, you will be advised as to any major developments in the case. We are also available to answer questions you have, and will communicate as often as our workload and court activity allow us.
At the Long Island criminal defense firm of Michael A. Arbeit, P.C., we know how stressful it is to face charges. We understand that you will likely have many more questions about your criminal case, which is why we invite you to schedule your free initial consultation with us. Call or complete our online client intake form today to get started.