Criminal Defense Lawyer in Hempstead, NY

Criminal Charges We Handle

Our firm represents clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges across a wide range of matters. If you’re unsure whether your situation falls within our practice, the list below covers the most common cases we see.

Cases we handle include:

• Domestic Violence: assault charges and related offenses involving household or intimate partners
• Drug Offenses: possession, distribution, and related charges
• Theft Crimes: shoplifting, burglary, and grand larceny
• Sex Crimes: sexual assault and related charges
• DWI: driving while intoxicated, including refusal cases
• Probation Violations: Hearings and advocacy to resolve alleged violations
• Stalking: criminal harassment and related matters
• Traffic Offenses: speeding, reckless driving, and suspended license matters

From Arrest to Arraignment in Hempstead

Most criminal cases begin before any formal charge is filed. Law enforcement may investigate, question witnesses, or approach you directly. At that stage, your Miranda rights generally apply: you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Statements made to police without legal counsel present can often be introduced as evidence later, so contacting a lawyer early matters.

Once charges are filed, arraignment is typically the first court appearance. Nassau County District Court, located in Hempstead, handles arraignments, misdemeanor criminal cases, and has preliminary jurisdiction over felonies. Certain matters may also be heard in Hempstead Village Court. Because our office is in the same city, we’re familiar with both courts and the prosecutors who appear in them.

What a Criminal Record Can Cost You

Court penalties are only part of the picture. A conviction creates a criminal record that can follow you into background checks for jobs, housing applications, college admissions, and professional licensing decisions. These consequences can persist long after a sentence is served. That’s why we pursue available defense strategies, from seeking dismissal to charge reduction to favorable sentencing.

Case Results That Reflect How We Work

Attorney Stuart Kanoff has more than 24 years of experience representing people accused of crimes in Nassau County. That experience has produced dismissals, reduced charges, and reduced sentencing across a range of circumstances. Every case turns on its own facts, but the examples below illustrate what our approach has achieved.

DWI, Not Guilty Verdict
A client charged with driving while intoxicated after refusing a breath test took the case to a jury trial. The jury returned a not guilty verdict.

Probation Violation, No Jail Time
Through advocacy across multiple court conferences, our firm helped a client facing a probation violation avoid incarceration and return to probation status.

Grand Larceny Reduced to Disorderly Conduct
A felony charge involving an alleged theft of over $1,000 was negotiated down to a disorderly conduct violation, leaving the client with no criminal record.

Plea negotiation, trial strategy, and probable cause challenges are all tools we bring to each case. The right approach depends on the charge, the evidence, and the client’s priorities.

Get a Free Case Evaluation Today

Our firm offers a free initial case evaluation so you can understand your options before making any decisions. Same-day appointments are available, and we offer Spanish-language services for clients who prefer to communicate in Spanish (Hablamos español).

Call (516) 447-8009 to speak with The Law Office of Stuart A. Kanoff & Associates about your criminal case in Hempstead or anywhere in Nassau County, NY.