Felony and misdemeanor defense
Representation in District Court proceedings, felony investigations and arraignments, Grand Jury matters, and indicted cases in Suffolk County Court.
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Suffolk County criminal defense
Suffolk County Criminal Defense Lawyers
Sharifov & Associates, PLLC defends people facing investigations, arrests, misdemeanors, felonies, DWI charges, and Grand Jury matters in Suffolk 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
Suffolk County criminal defense from the firm’s Long Island office.
Experienced. Respected. Aggressive. Successful.
A Suffolk County criminal matter may begin with an arrest, a Desk Appearance Ticket, a traffic stop, a warrant, or contact from police or another investigative agency. In the five western towns — Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip, and Smithtown — criminal cases begin in Suffolk County District Court at the Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip. In the five eastern towns, cases begin in the local town justice courts.
Sharifov & Associates, PLLC represents clients in Suffolk County District Court in Central Islip, in felony cases that continue in Suffolk County Court, and in town and village courts. The firm handles misdemeanor, felony, DWI, domestic-violence, theft, fraud, drug, weapons, and related criminal matters.
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 Central Islip, County Court in Riverhead, or a town or village court.
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
In the five western towns, Suffolk County District Court in Central Islip 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.
In the five western towns of Suffolk County, the First District Court in Central Islip hears misdemeanors, violations, and infractions and conducts arraignments and preliminary proceedings in felony cases. In the five eastern towns — East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, and Southold — town justice courts serve that role. Suffolk County Court has authority to conduct felony trials. The Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency handles traffic and parking tickets from the western towns. The court notice and case posture determine where a person must appear.
Suffolk County First District Court
400 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip, NY 11722
Cohalan Court Complex. Misdemeanor and lesser-offense proceedings, felony arraignments and preliminary matters, and criminal traffic cases from the five western towns. Arraignments are held every day of the year.
Suffolk County Court
210 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901
Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex. Felony matters after indictment, including hearings and trials within the court’s criminal jurisdiction.
Suffolk County Traffic Court
100 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788
Suffolk County Traffic & Parking Violations Agency, H. Lee Dennison Building, North Entrance, for traffic and parking tickets from the five western towns. Agency phone: 631-853-3800.
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, Central Islip
100 Federal Plaza, Central Islip, NY 11722
The Long Island courthouse of the Eastern District, where most federal cases arising in Nassau and Suffolk Counties are heard.
Town and Village Courts
Service coverage
Representation in the town justice courts of the five eastern towns and in village courts throughout Suffolk County.
Court addresses and schedules can change. Confirm the current court notice and use official court sources before traveling.
Local access
Suffolk County cases handled from the firm’s Hempstead office.
The firm’s Long Island office is at 50 Main Street in Hempstead. Clients with a Suffolk County case can meet at that office or by video consultation, and the firm’s attorneys appear in Central Islip, Riverhead, and town and village courts as the case requires.
Suffolk cases can move between courthouses. A felony may begin with an arraignment in District Court in Central Islip 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 Suffolk District Court informationWhere are Suffolk County arrests arraigned?
Which towns does Suffolk County District Court cover?
Where do Suffolk felony cases go after indictment?
Where do I answer a Suffolk County traffic ticket?
Do I need a lawyer for a Suffolk 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?
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.
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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