Charged with a crime in New York? Don't say another word.
A criminal charge in New York changes your life before you ever see a courtroom. Bail. Job. Immigration status. Custody of your kids. The first 72 hours after an arrest are the most consequential — and the easiest to make worse. The right defense attorney gets you through arraignment, in front of a judge who'll listen, and toward an outcome that doesn't follow you for the rest of your life.
We've shortlisted 10 NYC criminal defense firms with credible track records in DWI/DUI, felony, federal, and white-collar matters. Every firm here offers a confidential consultation. If you've been arrested, charged, or contacted by a detective, call before you talk to anyone else.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Avvo), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: DWI/DUI, drug charges, assault, white-collar, federal
Multilingual practice (Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Korean). Frequent DWI suppression wins. Featured by major NYC media outlets as legal commentator.
Practice focus: White-collar, fraud, sex crimes, weapons, DWI
Founder Jeremy Saland is a former Manhattan DA prosecutor — both sides of the v. understood. Heavily cited in NYC press on financial-crime cases.
Practice focus: DWI/DUI, drug DUI, refusal hearings, CDL DWI
Founder Rachel Kugel is a member of the National College of DUI Defense and the DUI Defense Lawyers Association. Has defended hundreds of DWI cases.
Practice focus: Federal criminal, sex crimes, white-collar, assault
Former Manhattan ADA. NYS Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers member. 20+ years experience.
Practice focus: Felonies, federal cases, RICO, narcotics, DWI
One of the oldest criminal defense firms in NYC — almost a century of experience. Multi-generational family practice.
Practice focus: DWI/DUI, sex crimes, homicide, white-collar
Former senior Manhattan ADA — homicide bureau alumna. Frequent CNN and Fox News legal analyst.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, federal cases, white-collar, family law overlap
Award-winning NYC criminal defense practice with 968+ five-star reviews. Featured on Netflix legal commentary. Multi-generational firm.
Practice focus: Federal white-collar, high-profile criminal defense
Benjamin Brafman is one of the most recognized criminal defense lawyers in America. Has represented executives, athletes, and public figures in federal and state matters.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, federal cases, DWI, drug crimes
Founders Jeff Greco and Dustan Neyland are former prosecutors. 4.9 stars and 166+ Google reviews. Aggressive trial-ready practice.
Practice focus: Criminal defense + immigration consequences (crimmigration), DWI, drug charges
One of NYC's leading firms at the intersection of criminal and immigration law — critical for non-citizen defendants where a plea can trigger removal.
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted criminal defense attorneys in New York City. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →From arrest to arraignment within 24 hours. Misdemeanor cases (DWI, petit larceny, simple assault) often resolve in 4-9 months through motions, plea negotiations, or dismissal. Felonies (D-felony DWIs with priors, robbery, drug sales) take 12 months or longer and may include grand jury presentation, suppression hearings, and trial. Federal cases run 12-24 months and routinely involve a target letter, proffer sessions, and Sentencing Guidelines fights.
Most NYC criminal defense lawyers charge a flat fee through a defined stage of the case. A first-time misdemeanor DWI typically runs $3,500-$7,500 through plea or trial. Felonies start around $10,000-$15,000 and rise with complexity. Federal cases regularly cost $25,000-$100,000+. Hourly billing is rare in criminal practice. Always ask: what's covered, what triggers an additional fee, and what happens if the case goes to trial.
The legal directory you find on Google has thousands of New York City criminal defense firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. The patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or visa approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. "We've helped thousands of clients" is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate New York City lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
Most New York City firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
New York City is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. NY Supreme, Civil Court, and the Commercial Division have judges, calendars, and procedures that shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has an advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. Notice of Claim windows for cases against the City or County, Statute of Limitations periods, and pre-suit certification requirements vary by case type and are unforgiving. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right New York City firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Local plaintiffs/defendants do well in front of local juries. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Not without consulting a lawyer first. Police questioning that begins as 'we just want to clear this up' often ends with charges. You have the right to an attorney even if you haven't been arrested. Use it.
Often yes. A skilled DWI lawyer attacks the stop, the field sobriety tests, the breath/blood machine maintenance records, and the chain of custody. Many first-time NYC DWIs end in a plea to DWAI (a violation, not a misdemeanor) or are dismissed outright after pretrial motions.
State charges are prosecuted in New York County, Kings County, etc. Federal charges (Southern District or Eastern District of New York) involve the FBI, DEA, IRS, or HSI and carry stricter Sentencing Guidelines. You want a lawyer who is admitted to practice in the federal court handling your case.
If you refused the breath test, your license is suspended at arraignment pending a DMV refusal hearing. If you took the test and were over 0.08, the license is suspended at arraignment until the case is resolved. A conditional license is usually available so you can drive to work, school and medical appointments.
If the case ended in dismissal, ACD, or acquittal, the records are sealed. If you pleaded guilty, you may be eligible for sealing under CPL § 160.59 ten years after the conviction. Limited to two convictions, only one of which can be a felony.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine have you taken to verdict in the last three years? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team