New York City Criminal Defense Lawyers

We handle cases in all five boroughs of New York City.

Queens County

Our New York City office is located in Forest Hills Queens, a short walk from the Queens County Criminal Courthouse.  Queens is perhaps where our roots are deepest.  Queens County was where Jim Shalley and Don Murray started as criminal defense lawyers in New York, and Queens County was the "birthplace" for Shalley & Murray in 1996.

Criminal Cases in Queens County are now handled entirely at the courthouse on Queens Blvd.  Therefore, from first appearance (arraignment) through trial, virtually all criminal cases will begin and end in the one building.  Years ago, criminal cases were spread among three courthouses, including a "remote" but spectacular historic courthouse in Long Island City.

Queens County has some unique features when it comes to criminal cases, including a felony plea policy and felony interrogation policy, as well as a gun court, drug treatment court, and any number of other modern innovations in criminal practice.  It is important that the attorney you retain for your case in Queens be familiar with these (and other) Queens peculiarities.

New York County (Manhattan)

We of course regularly appear in Manhattan criminal courtrooms.  Manhattan Criminal Courtrooms can be found in several locations.  First, and most celebrated, is 100 Centre Street.  This is the primary criminal courthouse for misdemeanor cases and many felony cases.  100 Centre street is where most people will be brought to see the judge for their first appearance (arraignment).  Across the street from 100 Centre Street is 111 Centre Street, where you will find a number of felony level criminal courtrooms on the upper floors.  Up on West 54th Street is Midtown Community Court, an innovative court designed to address "quality of life" offenses, including pink summons cases, as well as certain misdemeanor cases.

Bronx County

Bronx County sports a brand new (as of 2008) criminal courthouse.  Contrary to what many may believe who have not the experience of working there, the Bronx criminal courthouse is a wonderful place to work.  We especially enjoy working on our Bronx cases and appear in the Bronx regularly, although not as often as we might like.

Kings County (Brooklyn)

We find ourselves in Brooklyn courts also quite frequently.  Brooklyn criminal cases are generally heard either at the old Criminal Court building on Schermerhorn street or at the brand new state of the art courthouse on Jay Street.  The Jay Street courthouse is home primarily to felony level cases, while Schermerhorn is primarily the home of misdemeanor cases and felony cases that have yet to be indicted.

 

Visit Our Website Specifically About New York City Criminal Cases

Our New York City criminal defense website offers an astounding library of articles written by Don Murray on a wide variety of topics related to criminal cases in New York City.

The New Arrest! section is devoted to issues that of interest to those who have just been arrested or whose family members have just been arrested, such as information about arraignments, interrogation, bail, and much more.

The System section is devoted to articles related to the criminal justice and how it works in reality.

The Offenses section is devoted to explanations of various commonly charged crimes in New York.

Finally, The Firm section is devoted to providing information about Shalley & Murray and the cases we handle.