Felonies and misdemeanors
Defense in cases ranging from lower-level offenses to serious felony accusations, including pre-indictment and post-indictment proceedings.
Firm homepage
New York City criminal defense
NYC Criminal Defense Lawyers
Sharifov & Associates, PLLC defends people facing investigations, arrests, misdemeanors, felonies, DWI charges, and federal matters in New York City.
Choose your borough:BrooklynManhattanQueens
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
Defense built for the court, the charge, and the stage of the case.
Experienced. Respected. Aggressive. Successful.
A New York City criminal case can begin with an unexpected arrest, a Desk Appearance Ticket, a request to speak with detectives, or a notice that an investigation is underway. The first decisions often occur before the defense has received every report, recording, or witness statement. A careful response begins by identifying the charge, the court, the next deadline, and the evidence the government may rely on.
Sharifov & Associates, PLLC represents clients in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and other New York City courts when the firm can assist. 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.
Investigation or arrest
Counsel can assess police contact, arrange a voluntary surrender when appropriate, and help prevent avoidable statements or missed deadlines.
Arraignment and release
At arraignment, the charges are addressed and the court considers release, bail where legally permitted, and any temporary order of protection.
Discovery and case review
The defense reviews reports, recordings, video, statements, physical evidence, identification evidence, and the prosecution’s legal theory.
Motions and hearings
Depending on the facts, counsel may litigate the sufficiency of accusatory papers, suppression issues, discovery compliance, or other pretrial questions.
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.
New York City Criminal Court handles misdemeanors and lesser offenses and conducts arraignments and preliminary hearings in felony cases. Felony prosecutions that continue after indictment are generally handled in the appropriate borough’s Supreme Court, Criminal Term. Always use the address and part listed on your current court notice.
Kings County Criminal Court
120 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Brooklyn misdemeanor matters, arraignments, and preliminary felony proceedings.
Brooklyn Criminal Court and Kings County Supreme Court: What to Expect
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Federal criminal cases arising in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Long Island.
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.
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 Expect
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.
Bronx County Criminal Court
215 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451
Bronx misdemeanor matters, arraignments, and preliminary felony proceedings. Some parts sit at 265 East 161st Street; confirm the building on your court notice.
Queens County Criminal Court
125-01 Queens Boulevard, Kew Gardens, NY 11415
Queens misdemeanor matters, arraignments, and preliminary felony proceedings.
Queens Criminal Court and Supreme Court in Kew Gardens: What to ExpectRichmond County Criminal Court
26 Central Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301
Staten Island misdemeanor matters, arraignments, and preliminary felony proceedings.
Court addresses and schedules can change. Confirm the current court notice and use official court sources before traveling.
Local access
A citywide defense strategy with a Brooklyn office.
The firm’s New York City office is in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. That office provides a direct contact point for clients and families dealing with criminal matters in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and other city courts accepted by the firm.
New York City’s Criminal Court operates across all five boroughs. Court hours, arraignment locations, and part assignments can change. The official New York Courts directory should be used to confirm public court information, while the client’s own notice controls the required appearance details.
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 informationWhat should I do if I am arrested in New York City?
What happens at a New York arraignment?
What is a Desk Appearance Ticket?
Which court handles a criminal case in NYC?
Can a lawyer appear in court without me?
Do I need a lawyer if detectives only want to ask questions?
Can an arrest affect my employment, license, or immigration status?
Does the firm handle federal criminal cases in New York?
Related location guide
Nassau County Criminal Defense
Facing a case in Hempstead, Mineola, or elsewhere in Nassau County? Review the dedicated Nassau County defense page.
Related location guide
Brooklyn Criminal Defense
Facing a case at 120 Schermerhorn Street or 320 Jay Street? Review the dedicated Brooklyn defense page.
Related location guide
Manhattan Criminal Defense
Facing a case at 100 Centre Street or elsewhere in Manhattan? Review the dedicated Manhattan defense page.
Related location guide
Queens Criminal Defense
Facing a case in Kew Gardens or elsewhere in Queens? Review the dedicated Queens 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