Felonies and misdemeanors
Defense in cases ranging from lower-level offenses to serious felony accusations, including pre-indictment and post-indictment proceedings.
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Manhattan criminal defense
Manhattan Criminal Defense Lawyers
Sharifov & Associates, PLLC defends people facing arrests, Desk Appearance Tickets, misdemeanors, felonies, and DWI charges in Manhattan Criminal Court and New York County Supreme Court.
Video consultations are available by request. For an imminent court date or recent arrest, call rather than relying only on an online message.
Rovshan Sharifov
Former New York prosecutor
24+ years of criminal-law experience
Super LawyersSelected 2019–2026
Focused criminal representation
Manhattan criminal defense, from 100 Centre Street forward.
Experienced. Respected. Aggressive. Successful.
Most Manhattan criminal cases begin with an arraignment at New York County Criminal Court, 100 Centre Street. After an arrest, a person is processed at the precinct and Central Booking and is usually arraigned within about 24 hours; Manhattan arraignments are held every day, including evenings and weekends. Felony cases that continue after an indictment are heard in New York County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, at 100 Centre Street and across the street at 111 Centre Street.
Sharifov & Associates, PLLC represents clients at arraignments in Manhattan Criminal Court and in felony cases in New York County Supreme Court. The defense is developed around the actual record: police conduct, witness accounts, statements, video, digital evidence, identification procedures, search issues, and the consequences a criminal case may create outside the courtroom.
Founding attorney Rovshan Sharifov is a former New York prosecutor with more than 24 years of criminal-law experience. He has been selected to Super Lawyers for 2019–2026.
If the matter is active now
Protect the record before making the next decision.
Ask to speak with a lawyer before answering investigative questions.
Keep the summons, Desk Appearance Ticket, court notice, and release papers together.
Do not miss a court date or assume that a lawyer can appear without you.
Avoid discussing the allegations by text, social media, or with potential witnesses.
Criminal cases handled
Defense across serious New York criminal matters.
The charge name is only the starting point. The defense must account for how the evidence was obtained, what the prosecution must prove, and what consequences matter most to the client.
Assault and domestic-violence allegations
Representation where an arrest may also involve temporary orders of protection, family contact restrictions, and related collateral concerns.
DWI, DWAI, and driving offenses
Defense involving traffic stops, chemical-test evidence, field observations, license consequences, and criminal driving charges.
Theft, larceny, fraud, and financial crimes
Matters involving petit larceny, grand larceny, shoplifting, forged instruments, fraud allegations, and white-collar investigations.
Drug and weapons charges
Cases requiring close review of possession theories, search and seizure, statements, laboratory evidence, and alleged intent.
Investigations, Grand Jury, and federal matters
Counsel before arrest, during surrender planning, in Grand Jury matters, and in appropriate federal criminal proceedings.
From first contact forward
How a criminal case may progress.
The sequence varies. Some cases begin with a Desk Appearance Ticket or investigation; others involve custody, warrants, indictment, or federal procedure.
- 01
Investigation or arrest
Counsel can assess police contact, arrange a voluntary surrender when appropriate, and help prevent avoidable statements or missed deadlines.
- 02
Arraignment and release
At arraignment, the charges are addressed and the court considers release, bail where legally permitted, and any temporary order of protection.
- 03
Discovery and case review
The defense reviews reports, recordings, video, statements, physical evidence, identification evidence, and the prosecution’s legal theory.
- 04
Motions and hearings
Depending on the facts, counsel may litigate the sufficiency of accusatory papers, suppression issues, discovery compliance, or other pretrial questions.
- 05
Negotiation or trial preparation
Every offer must be evaluated against the evidence, defenses, immigration or licensing concerns, and the client’s goals. Trial preparation remains case-specific.
Criminal case flowchart
How a New York criminal case may progress
The original branching diagram is below. Follow its arrows from arrest through possible dismissal, plea, trial, and sentencing; actual paths vary.
- Stage
- Decision point
- Case ends
- Sentencing
ArrestWarrant or probable cause
ArraignmentCharges, bail, plea
Charge conversionGrand jury or information
DiscoveryEvidence disclosure (CPL 245)
Motion practicePretrial motions and suppression hearings
If grantedDismissal grantedCharges dismissed — case ends
Case continues
Decision pointPlea negotiationResolve or proceed to trial
Guilty pleaPlea allocution and sentencing terms
Trial trackMotions, hearings, jury/bench trial
Case endsTrial acquittalNot guilty verdict — case ends
Trial convictionGuilty verdict — proceeds to sentencing
Guilty pleaPlea allocution and sentencing terms
→ Sentencing
Trial trackMotions, hearings, jury/bench trial
Case endsTrial acquittalNot guilty verdict — case ends
Trial convictionGuilty verdict — proceeds to sentencing
→ Sentencing
Final stageSentencingPresentence report where required
Read the diagram as text: stages and possible outcomes
Common stages
Investigation or arrest
Police contact, an arrest, or an appearance ticket. Some cases begin without a custodial arrest.
Arraignment
The court addresses the charges, counsel, and release or other securing conditions.
Charge review
Grand Jury action may be needed for a felony; a misdemeanor complaint may be converted to an information.
Evidence & motions
Discovery, investigation, and pretrial motions can shape the case or lead to dismissal.
Plea or trial
A negotiated plea may resolve the matter; unresolved charges can proceed to trial.
Possible outcomes
- Case ends
Charges dismissed
A dismissal ends the case without sentencing. It may occur earlier in the process.
- Case ends
Not-guilty verdict
An acquittal at trial ends the case without sentencing.
- Sentencing follows
Guilty plea or verdict
A guilty plea or a conviction at trial proceeds to sentencing.
Court orientation
Know which court is handling the case.
In Manhattan, Criminal Court at 100 Centre Street handles misdemeanors and lesser offenses and conducts arraignments and preliminary hearings in felony cases. Felony cases that continue after an indictment are handled in New York County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, at 100 and 111 Centre Street. Some lower-level offenses from parts of Midtown go to the Midtown Community Court. Federal criminal cases arising in Manhattan are heard in the Southern District of New York. Always use the address and part listed on your current court notice.
New York County Criminal Court
100 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013
Manhattan criminal proceedings; confirm the exact building and part on the court notice.
Manhattan Criminal Court and Supreme Court: What to ExpectNew York County Supreme Court, Criminal Term
100 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013
Felony cases after an indictment, from hearings and plea negotiations through trial and sentencing. The court also sits across the street at 111 Centre Street; your notice lists the building and courtroom.
Midtown Community Court
314 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019
Lower-level offenses arising in parts of Midtown Manhattan. Also called the Midtown Community Justice Center; located between 8th and 9th Avenues.
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007
Federal criminal cases arising in Manhattan, the Bronx, and counties north of New York City. The court also sits at 40 Foley Square; confirm the courthouse on your notice.
Court addresses and schedules can change. Confirm the current court notice and use official court sources before traveling.
Local access
Manhattan cases handled from the firm’s Brooklyn office.
The firm’s New York City office is at 1629 Sheepshead Bay Road in Brooklyn. Clients with a Manhattan case can meet at that office or by video consultation, and the firm’s attorneys appear at 100 Centre Street for arraignments, conferences, hearings, and trial.
For court days, 100 Centre Street is about three blocks south of Canal Street, near the Canal Street and Chambers Street subway stations. Parking nearby is limited, so public transit is usually easier. Arrive early for security screening, bring identification and your paperwork, and keep every paper the court gives you.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers for the first decisions.
These answers provide general New York information. A lawyer must review the facts, papers, and deadlines in your individual matter.
Official arraignment informationWhere are Manhattan arrests arraigned?
Where is Manhattan Supreme Court, Criminal Term?
How soon after a Manhattan arrest is the arraignment?
Can a Manhattan judge set bail?
What if I miss a court date in Manhattan?
Which court handles a federal case from Manhattan?
Can an arrest affect my employment, license, or immigration status?
Related location guide
New York City Criminal Defense
Facing a case in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, or another NYC court? Review the dedicated New York City defense page.
Confidential consultation
Discuss the charge, court date, or investigation with the firm.
Call for a time-sensitive matter or use the main consultation form to request an in-person or remote video consultation. Do not send confidential details until the firm confirms representation.
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