Brooklyn

Vigorous Legal Representation for Criminal Defendants in Brooklyn

If you have been charged with a crime, you need an advocate who has the skill and the dedication to protect your future. At Saland Law, we are ready to fight for you to the limits of the law. Our Brooklyn criminal lawyers understand the magnitude of the situation when your freedom is at risk, and we can use our experience as state prosecutors to anticipate and counter opposing tactics. Getting us involved as soon as you find out that you are under suspicion or investigation can be critical, since we may be able to halt the process before charges are filed or an arrest is made. Saland Law also assists foreign nationals living in the U.S. or people who need representation in Family Court.

Brooklyn has been found to be more dangerous than 61% of U.S. cities and 81% of New York State cities and towns. It has a notably higher rate of violent crime than the state overall, at 5.21 violent crimes per 1,000 residents compared to 3.76 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. However, property crimes occur at a lower rate in Brooklyn than in the typical city in New York State, at a rate of 12.94 per 1,000 residents. With a population compressed into a small area, crimes occur at a rate of 727 per square mile.

Federal Crimes

Federal court is a very different setting than state court, and you need to retain an attorney who is familiar with this setting if you are facing federal charges. Saland Law can offer the skill set of the firm’s counsel, a former Assistant United States Attorney who is admitted to practice in federal courts in New York and New Jersey. A federal crime may arise from activity that affects more than one state, such as crimes committed on the Internet. Other examples of federal crimes include certain types of gun crimes and drug crimes. Under the dual sovereignty theory, a defendant sometimes may face charges based on the same conduct in both federal court and state court. By retaining Saland Law, you will have knowledgeable representation in both venues.

Theft Crimes

Some theft crimes are relatively simple, such as shoplifting, while others can be quite complicated, such as embezzlement. The type of property taken and the value of the property determine the level of the charge and the associated penalties. These charges usually require the prosecution to prove that the defendant had the specific intent to take the property, knowing that it did not belong to them. We may be able to help you challenge the prosecution’s ability to prove this element of the crime, which could result in a dismissal or favorable plea bargain.

White Collar Crimes

Not every criminal attorney is familiar with the technical nuances and complexities of white collar crimes. These crimes are distinctive because the harm tends to be financial rather than physical, and they are often committed by ordinary office workers and professionals. Some common types of white collar crimes include identity theft, securities fraud, and money laundering. Our Brooklyn criminal lawyers can help you craft a strategy that is tailored to your specific circumstances. In many cases, a defense is as complex and technical as the charge.

Extortion and Blackmail Protection

If you are being blackmailed or harassed, your first instinct may be to go to the police. If someone in your family is threatening or harassing you, you may think of pursuing an order of protection through family court. While there is nothing wrong with either of these options, many people would prefer to handle their matter more discreetly without creating a public record of the events. At Saland Law, we can offer this type of protection. Our attorneys can enlist the help of investigators and former detectives to gather evidence against the perpetrator. A cease and desist letter or a visit by investigators may be enough to stop the extortion or blackmail. If you do need to get law enforcement involved, we can represent your interests throughout the duration of the case and try to influence what happens on your behalf.

Fraud Crimes

You can think of fraud as a category of white collar crime. People in Brooklyn and surrounding areas may be charged with mail fraud, wire fraud, public benefits fraud, health care fraud, or other forms of fraud related to forging or possessing forged instruments and filing false documentation. Since fraud often involves interstate commerce, it may be charged in federal court as well as or instead of state court. A defendant may be able to argue that they did not know that their statement was false, that they did not intend the misrepresentation, or that the alleged victim did not actually rely on their statement. The prosecution needs to prove each element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a difficult standard to meet.

DWI & DWAI

Drinking and driving is taken very seriously in New York. Law enforcement has the authority to arrest a driver under suspicion of DWI if their blood alcohol content is measured at 0.08 or greater. Even if there is no “blow,” prosecutors can still charge this crime. Sometimes a DWI charge is pleaded down to the lesser related offense of DWAI, which technically applies to drivers with a BAC of 0.05 to 0.07. Getting a DWI reduced to DWAI can dramatically reduce the severity of the penalties. In other cases, fighting the DWI charge head-on may be effective, such as when the police officer lacked a reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle.

Drug Crimes

Our Brooklyn criminal attorneys fight for the rights of people charged with drug possession, drug trafficking, and related offenses. We may be able to show that they did not have control over the substance at issue or that the police made mistakes in obtaining evidence to support the prosecution’s case. Pre-trial motions to suppress evidence, such as the tangible drugs, can make a drug crime case very hard to prove if they are successful. A charge based on even very small amounts of certain drugs can result in years in prison, so it is important to take the situation seriously and retain counsel promptly.

Sex Crimes

Being accused of rape, sexual assault, or another sex crime is a daunting situation. You may feel that you have no options, but this is often not the case. Our criminal attorneys fight for Brooklyn defendants who are facing serious sex crime charges, allowing them to keep their lives on track. One of the most damaging consequences of a sex crime conviction is being ordered to register as a sex offender. This can be not only embarrassing but also crippling to a defendant’s career prospects. As a result, we understand the importance of fighting these charges as vigorously as possible.

Record Sealing

Going through the record sealing process can be a useful way to get a fresh start. People with convictions may be eligible to have their records sealed following juvenile offenses, certain marijuana crimes, or non-criminal violations. There are also certain situations in which our criminal lawyers can help Brooklyn residents get their records sealed following the completion of a drug or alcohol treatment program. We can help you submit the paperwork to the court and deal with any challenge to your record sealing petition.

Asset Forfeiture

Some types of crimes result in the perpetrator getting property because of their illegal conduct. This property can be claimed by law enforcement in the asset forfeiture process. Asset forfeiture also can result in the seizure of instrumentalities that a criminal used in committing a crime. At Saland Law, we understand the complex rules surrounding the asset forfeiture process, and we can make sure that law enforcement does not abuse it.

College Arrests and Title IX

If you have been accused of misconduct as a student on a college campus, you may face more than one type of proceeding. Whether or not law enforcement decides to bring criminal charges, the college or university may conduct a Title IX hearing to determine whether you should face discipline. In some cases, a college student may be expelled and suffer a serious blow to their future, even when the proof against them is not overwhelming, as it would need to be in a criminal case. Our criminal attorneys can help Brooklyn students protect their rights in a Title IX hearing.

Revenge Porn

Bitterness after the breakdown of a relationship can lead to incidents of revenge porn when one party posts intimate images or videos of the other party online. Revenge porn is illegal, as are similar behaviors like cyberbullying or online harassment. At Saland Law, we have handled many cases on behalf of victims, helping them get images or videos removed from websites and search results. We can also explore the possibility of bringing a civil claim for damages against the perpetrator, as well as seeking an Order of Protection against them.

Immigration

Our firm is committed to protecting the rights and advancing the interests of foreign nationals who want to start a new life in the U.S. Immigration rules are complex and highly detailed, so going through the process without an attorney can be risky. You may be able to come to the U.S. based on your relationship to people already living here or based on an offer of employment by an American company. Foreign nationals who are already living in this country may want to consider the possibility of pursuing legal permanent resident status or even getting U.S. citizenship. Our criminal lawyers also can advise Brooklyn residents from other countries about the potential impact of a conviction on their immigration status.

Contact a Knowledgeable Criminal Lawyer in Brooklyn

Whether you are facing prosecution for a misdemeanor or a felony, or you need assistance with an immigration or family matter, our attorneys can explore the full scope of your legal options. Saland Law knows what it takes to protect a client’s rights in situations that could affect the rest of their lives. Call us at 212-312-7129 or contact us online for a free consultation to find out your next steps.