Felony and misdemeanor defense
Representation in District Court proceedings, felony investigations and arraignments, Grand Jury matters, and indicted cases in Nassau County Court.
Firm homepage
Nassau County criminal defense
Nassau County Criminal Defense Lawyers
Sharifov & Associates, PLLC defends people facing investigations, arrests, misdemeanors, felonies, DWI charges, and Grand Jury matters in Nassau County.
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 Nassau County prosecutor
24+ years of criminal-law experience
Super LawyersSelected 2019–2026
Focused criminal representation
Local criminal defense informed by experience on both sides of the courtroom.
Experienced. Respected. Aggressive. Successful.
A Nassau County criminal matter may begin with an arrest, a Desk Appearance Ticket, a traffic stop, a warrant, or contact from Nassau County Police or another investigative agency. The correct response depends on more than the name of the charge. It requires attention to the court, procedural posture, available evidence, release conditions, and any order of protection.
Sharifov & Associates, PLLC maintains an office at 50 Main Street in Hempstead, close to Nassau County District Court. The firm represents clients in misdemeanor, felony, DWI, domestic-violence, theft, fraud, drug, weapons, and related criminal matters, as well as selected state and federal investigations.
Founding attorney Rovshan Sharifov is a former Nassau County 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 counsel before answering questions or giving a written statement.
Keep the Desk Appearance Ticket, release papers, court notice, and order of protection available.
Confirm whether the case is in District Court in Hempstead or County Court in Mineola.
Call promptly about a warrant, missed appearance, suspended license, or approaching court date.
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.
DWI, DWAI, and criminal traffic offenses
Defense involving vehicle stops, observations, field sobriety exercises, breath or blood evidence, license issues, and related driving charges.
Domestic violence and orders of protection
Criminal defense where allegations may produce temporary protection orders, home exclusions, family-contact limits, and related Family Court concerns.
Theft, larceny, and fraud
Defense in shoplifting, petit and grand larceny, forged-instrument, financial, and other property-related accusations.
Drug and weapons charges
Close review of possession, intent, search-and-seizure issues, statements, laboratory records, and the connection alleged between a person and the item.
Warrants, investigations, and Grand Jury
Advice before arrest, voluntary-surrender planning when appropriate, warrant matters, investigative contact, and time-sensitive Grand Jury decisions.
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
Police contact or surrender planning
Counsel can identify the agency involved, communicate with investigators, and evaluate whether a controlled surrender is available and appropriate.
- 02
District Court arraignment
Nassau County District Court handles misdemeanors and lesser offenses and arraigns people accused of felonies. Release conditions and protection orders may be addressed.
- 03
Discovery and defense investigation
The defense reviews police paperwork, recordings, body-camera footage, statements, physical evidence, witness accounts, and procedural compliance.
- 04
Grand Jury or motion practice
Felony cases may involve Grand Jury decisions. Other matters may require motions concerning evidence, accusatory instruments, discovery, or speedy-trial issues.
- 05
Resolution or trial
Counsel evaluates negotiations, hearings, and trial based on the evidence, legal defenses, collateral consequences, and the client’s informed decisions.
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.
Nassau County District Court has trial jurisdiction over misdemeanors, violations, and infractions, and preliminary jurisdiction over felonies. Nassau County Court has authority to conduct felony trials. The Nassau County Traffic & Parking Violations Agency handles traffic, parking, and photo-enforcement matters. The firm also provides representation in village courts throughout Long Island and selected counties in upstate New York. The court notice and case posture determine where a person must appear.
Nassau County District Court
99 Main Street, Hempstead, NY 11550
Misdemeanor and lesser-offense proceedings, felony arraignments and preliminary matters, and criminal traffic cases.
Arraignment at Nassau County District Court in Hempstead: What to Expect
Nassau County Court
262 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501
Felony matters after indictment, including hearings and trials within the court’s criminal jurisdiction.
Nassau County Traffic Court
801 Axinn Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
Nassau County Traffic & Parking Violations Agency for traffic, parking, and photo-enforcement matters. Agency phone: 516-572-2700.
Village Courts
Service coverage
Representation in all Village Courts on Long Island and selected counties in upstate New York.
Court addresses and schedules can change. Confirm the current court notice and use official court sources before traveling.
Local access
A Hempstead office near the court where many Nassau cases begin.
The firm’s Hempstead office is located at 50 Main Street. Nassau County District Court is located at 99 Main Street. That proximity can make communication and preparation more practical, but clients should call before visiting and should never assume that an office appointment changes a court deadline.
Nassau cases can move between procedural stages and courthouses. A felony may begin with an arraignment in District Court and later proceed in County Court after indictment. Confirm the exact court, part, date, and appearance instructions shown on the most recent notice.
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 Nassau District Court informationWhat should I do after an arrest in Nassau County?
Where are Nassau County criminal cases heard?
Does a felony case start in District Court?
Do I need a lawyer for a Nassau County DWI charge?
What happens if an order of protection was issued?
What should I do if I missed court or believe there is a warrant?
Should I speak with Nassau County detectives if I have not been arrested?
Can a Nassau criminal case affect work, a 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.
WhatsApp
Telegram