Aggressive Criminal Defense When Your Future Is at Stake
If you are facing criminal charges in Kingston, NY, you are confronting one of the most serious challenges of your life. A conviction can mean jail time, heavy fines, a permanent criminal record, and consequences that follow you for years. At the Law Office of Benjamin Greenwald, we provide aggressive, strategic criminal defense across the full spectrum of misdemeanor and felony charges in Ulster County.
Criminal defense requires more than courtroom presence. It demands thorough investigation, detailed knowledge of New York criminal law and procedure, and the willingness to challenge every aspect of the prosecution’s case. Attorney Benjamin Greenwald has represented thousands of clients at the county, state, and federal levels. He is a litigator first and foremost with extensive courtroom experience. He knows what it takes to win at trial and does not hesitate to go above and beyond to achieve a successful outcome for his clients.
Time is critical in criminal cases. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and important legal deadlines pass. Contact us immediately at (845) 567-4820 to schedule a confidential consultation. We are available 24 hours a day.
Criminal Defense Services We Provide in Kingston, NY
When you’re facing criminal charges in Kingston, you need an attorney who handles all types of criminal cases with proven results. The Law Office of Benjamin Greenwald provides aggressive, strategic defense across the full spectrum of criminal charges in Ulster County.
DWI and DUI Defense
Driving while intoxicated charges threaten your license, freedom, and future. We challenge breathalyzer accuracy, question traffic stop legality, and scrutinize field sobriety test administration. Attorney Greenwald has an extensive background in anatomy and physiology, which allows him to identify flaws in breathalyzer test results, drug screens, and forensic analysis that other attorneys might miss. Our DWI defense has helped countless Kingston clients avoid conviction or minimize penalties.
Drug Crimes
From marijuana possession to drug trafficking charges, New York’s drug laws carry severe penalties. We scrutinize search and seizure procedures, challenge evidence handling, and fight for treatment alternatives over incarceration when appropriate. Drug cases often hinge on Fourth Amendment violations during searches. We investigate whether police had probable cause, whether your vehicle or home was searched legally, and whether evidence was properly preserved.
Assault and Violent Crimes
Assault, domestic violence, and other violent crime charges require immediate, aggressive defense. We investigate self-defense claims, witness credibility, and prosecution evidence to build the strongest possible defense for your case. These charges often arise from misunderstandings or exaggerated allegations. We subpoena surveillance footage, interview witnesses, and challenge the prosecution’s version of events at every turn.
Theft and Property Crimes
Shoplifting, burglary, robbery, and grand larceny charges can result in jail time and a permanent criminal record. We work to get charges reduced or dismissed, negotiate restitution agreements, and pursue expungement when eligible. Many theft cases involve identification issues or lack of criminal intent. We examine whether the prosecution can prove you committed the crime and whether you had the required mental state.
White Collar Crimes
Fraud, embezzlement, identity theft, and forgery involve complex evidence and often federal implications. Our experience with white collar defense ensures your rights are protected throughout investigation and prosecution. These cases require careful analysis of financial records, electronic evidence, and witness statements. We work with forensic accountants and other experts when necessary to challenge the government’s case.
Sex Crimes Defense
Sex crime allegations carry life-altering consequences including sex offender registration. These cases demand sensitive, aggressive representation. We challenge accuser credibility, forensic evidence, and prosecution procedures while protecting your reputation. False accusations are more common than many people realize, and we have successfully defended clients against unfounded allegations.
Weapons Charges
New York’s strict gun laws mean weapons possession charges often result in mandatory minimum sentences. We challenge the legality of searches, weapon ownership documentation, and prosecution evidence to fight for charge dismissal or reduction. Many weapons cases stem from illegal vehicle searches or misapplication of licensing requirements.
Criminal Appeals
When trial results are unjust, our appellate experience provides a path forward. We review trial records for legal errors, constitutional violations, and grounds for overturning convictions or reducing sentences. Attorney Greenwald is one of the few attorneys in the Hudson Valley who has won a case on an insanity defense. Our appellate advocacy includes direct appeals, CPL 440 motions, writs of error coram nobis, and federal habeas corpus petitions. Each procedure requires familiarity with New York’s legal standards, filing requirements, and strict deadlines.
Juvenile Defense
Young people deserve defense that protects their futures. We represent juveniles in family court and criminal court, working to keep cases out of the adult system and secure outcomes that allow for record sealing. A juvenile conviction can affect college admissions, scholarships, and employment. We fight to minimize these long-term consequences.
Expungement and Record Sealing
A criminal record affects employment, housing, and opportunities for years. We help eligible clients seal or expunge criminal records under New York’s recent reforms, giving you a fresh start. Many convictions that were previously permanent can now be sealed under expanded eligibility rules.
Understanding the Criminal Process in Kingston, NY
Facing criminal charges is overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been through the system. Understanding what happens at each stage helps you make informed decisions about your defense.
Arrest and Booking
Police can arrest you with a warrant issued by a judge, or without a warrant if they witness a crime or have probable cause to believe you committed a felony. After arrest, you’re taken to the police station for booking, which includes fingerprints, photographs, and formal charge recording. This is when you should exercise your right to remain silent and request an attorney immediately.
Do not answer questions or provide statements without your lawyer present, even if police suggest cooperation will help you. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. Police are trained in interrogation techniques designed to elicit incriminating statements. Even innocent people make statements that prosecutors twist into evidence of guilt.
Arraignment and Bail
Your first court appearance is the arraignment, typically within 24 to 48 hours of arrest. The judge reads the charges, you enter a plea (usually not guilty at this stage), and the judge decides on bail. Bail amounts depend on charge severity, your criminal history, flight risk, and community ties.
New York’s 2020 bail reform eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanors and non-violent felonies, meaning many defendants are released on their own recognizance. For cases where bail is set, your attorney can argue for reduced amounts or alternative release conditions such as supervised release or electronic monitoring.
Pre-Trial and Discovery
After arraignment, your attorney receives evidence from prosecutors through a process called discovery. This includes police reports, witness statements, video footage, forensic lab results, and any other evidence the prosecution intends to use. We investigate independently, interview witnesses the police may have overlooked, and identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
This phase often involves motion practice. We file motions to challenge illegal searches and seizures, seek suppression of unlawfully obtained evidence, or argue for charge dismissal based on legal defects in the prosecution’s case. Successful pre-trial motions can result in evidence being excluded or charges being dismissed entirely before trial.
Plea Negotiations vs. Trial
Most criminal cases resolve through plea bargains, which are agreements where you plead guilty to reduced charges in exchange for lighter sentencing. Prosecutors offer deals to avoid trial costs and uncertainty. Your attorney evaluates whether the plea offer is in your best interest or whether taking the case to trial gives you better odds of a favorable outcome.
A plea bargain might involve reduced charges (felony reduced to misdemeanor), dismissed charges (multiple charges reduced to one), sentencing recommendations (probation instead of jail time), or diversion programs (drug treatment, anger management, community service).
Attorney Greenwald will never talk you into taking a plea deal when going to trial could get you a better result. If we go to trial, your case is heard by a judge in a bench trial or by a jury. The prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We present your defense, cross-examine witnesses, and challenge their evidence at every turn.
Misdemeanor vs. Felony Charges
New York classifies crimes as violations, misdemeanors, or felonies. The classification determines potential penalties and long-term consequences.
Violations such as disorderly conduct carry a maximum of 15 days in jail and fines. These are the least serious offenses.
Misdemeanors are divided into Class A and Class B. Class A misdemeanors carry up to one year in jail. Class B misdemeanors carry up to 90 days. Examples include simple assault, petit larceny, and DWI.
Felonies range from Class E (least serious) to Class A (most serious) and carry sentences from one year to life in prison. Examples include robbery, burglary, drug trafficking, and serious assault.
Felony convictions carry far harsher consequences beyond prison time. You lose voting rights while incarcerated, face difficulty finding employment and housing, and may lose professional licenses. An experienced defense attorney often negotiates felony charges down to misdemeanors, dramatically reducing potential penalties and long-term impacts.
How a Defense Attorney Investigates Your Case
We don’t rely on the prosecution’s version of events. Our independent investigation includes interviewing witnesses the police missed or ignored, obtaining surveillance footage from businesses or traffic cameras near the alleged crime scene, and hiring expert witnesses when needed, such as forensic specialists, accident reconstruction experts, or medical professionals.
We examine police body camera and dash camera footage, review arrest procedures for constitutional violations, and analyze forensic evidence such as DNA, fingerprints, and drug testing for errors or contamination. We also investigate officer conduct and disciplinary history, which can reveal patterns of misconduct that undermine prosecution credibility.
This independent investigation often uncovers evidence that leads to dismissed or reduced charges. No detail is too small when your freedom is at stake.
Strategic Approach for Successful Appeals
The outcome of a Kingston, NY criminal appeal often depends on careful legal research, well-organized written arguments, and clear presentation before appellate judges. Our process begins with a thorough, independent review of your case, examining every part of the trial record for potential appellate issues.
We review trial transcripts, scrutinize evidence handling, assess jury instructions for legal accuracy, and consider whether trial counsel provided effective assistance. This process often brings to light appealable issues specific to Kingston, NY criminal law and practice that others might overlook.
Our written appellate briefs are drafted to present clear, persuasive arguments demonstrating why errors affected the trial’s outcome. These briefs must not only establish clear legal errors but also communicate the significance of those errors within the context of Kingston, NY law. When oral arguments are permitted, we are fully prepared to address the appellate panel’s questions and emphasize our strongest legal points.
While every appeal is unique, our work in Kingston, NY has included success in reversing convictions on grounds such as improperly admitted evidence, erroneous jury instructions, prosecutorial misconduct, and ineffective assistance of counsel. Each successful result is a step toward restoring justice and protecting constitutional rights.
Why Choose The Law Office of Benjamin Greenwald for Your Kingston Criminal Defense Case?
When your freedom and future are at stake, you need a criminal defense attorney with the experience, resources, and dedication to fight for the best possible outcome.
Proven Track Record in Kingston and Ulster County Courts
Attorney Greenwald has represented clients in Kingston City Court and Ulster County Court for years, building familiarity with local procedures, prosecution strategies, and judicial tendencies. This experience provides strategic advantages in every case. While prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, our track record includes case dismissals, charge reductions from felonies to misdemeanors, acquittals at trial, and alternative sentencing that keeps clients out of jail.
In one case, a judge stated on the record after a hearing, “you got one hell of a deal,” a testament to the results Attorney Greenwald achieves through skillful negotiation and thorough case preparation.
Never Worked as a Prosecutor
Unlike many criminal defense attorneys, Attorney Greenwald has never worked for the government as a prosecutor. He has always served the accused. This means he has always been on your side of the courtroom, fighting to protect constitutional rights and hold the government to its burden of proof. He does whatever it takes within the bounds of the law to defend his clients.
Personalized Defense Strategy for Every Client
No two cases are identical. We don’t use cookie-cutter defense strategies. During your free consultation, we listen to your story, review the charges, and develop a customized defense plan based on your specific circumstances and goals.
You’ll work directly with Attorney Benjamin Greenwald, not paralegals or junior associates. You’ll receive direct communication throughout your case. We’re accessible when you need us, and we keep you informed at every stage of the process.
Aggressive Advocacy, Realistic Counsel
We’re aggressive in the courtroom, challenging every aspect of the prosecution’s case and protecting your constitutional rights. We scrutinize police procedures, examine evidence for flaws, and cross-examine witnesses thoroughly. But we’re also realistic, explaining your options clearly so you can make informed decisions about plea offers versus trial.
Criminal charges are stressful and frightening. We guide you through the process step by step, answering questions and providing honest assessments of your case. You deserve to know where you stand and what to expect.
Available 24/7 for Arrests
Being arrested doesn’t follow business hours. We’re available around the clock for arrest situations. Call us immediately after arrest, even from the police station. Early attorney involvement protects you from self-incrimination and ensures proper procedures from the start. The sooner we get involved, the better we can protect your rights.
Free Initial Consultation
We offer free, confidential consultations where we review your charges, explain potential outcomes, and discuss defense strategies. There’s no obligation and no pressure. You’ll receive honest legal advice about your situation.
Payment plans are available for clients who qualify. All major credit cards are accepted. Se habla espanol. Don’t let cost concerns prevent you from getting experienced legal representation. Contact us immediately at (845) 567-4820.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I hire a criminal defense attorney if I’m innocent?
Yes. Even if you’re innocent, the criminal justice system is complex and prosecutors build cases aggressively. An experienced criminal defense attorney protects your rights during questioning, prevents self-incriminating statements, gathers exculpatory evidence, and ensures proper procedures are followed. Many innocent people have been wrongly convicted without proper legal representation. Don’t risk your future. Hire an attorney immediately after arrest.
What should I do immediately after being arrested in Kingston?
First, exercise your right to remain silent. Politely tell officers you won’t answer questions without an attorney present. Do not resist arrest or argue with police. Contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible, ideally before any interrogation. Avoid discussing your case with anyone except your lawyer, including cellmates or family on recorded jail phones. Document everything you remember about the arrest while details are fresh.
How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in Kingston, NY?
Criminal defense attorney fees vary based on case complexity, charges, and whether the case goes to trial. Misdemeanor cases typically range from $2,500 to $10,000, while felony cases can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more. Many attorneys, including The Law Office of Benjamin Greenwald, offer free initial consultations and payment plans. The cost of a conviction, including jail time, fines, lost employment, and a permanent criminal record, far exceeds attorney fees. Contact us for a case-specific quote.
Can a criminal defense attorney get my charges dismissed?
Possibly. Experienced defense attorneys get charges dismissed by identifying illegal searches, violations of your constitutional rights, insufficient evidence, or procedural errors. We also negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges or secure alternative sentencing like diversion programs. Every case is different, but early attorney involvement significantly increases dismissal chances. During your free consultation, we’ll assess your case’s dismissal potential.
What’s the difference between a public defender and a private criminal defense attorney?
Public defenders are government-employed attorneys provided free to defendants who can’t afford private counsel. While many are skilled, they handle extremely high caseloads, often 100 or more active cases, which limits the time they can devote to your case. Private attorneys like The Law Office of Benjamin Greenwald handle fewer cases simultaneously, providing personalized attention, more investigation resources, and greater availability. You choose your private attorney, you’re assigned a public defender.
Will I go to jail if convicted of a misdemeanor in New York?
Not always. New York misdemeanors carry maximum sentences of up to one year in jail, but many first-time offenders receive probation, fines, community service, or conditional discharge instead. Sentencing depends on the specific charge, your criminal history, case circumstances, and your attorney’s advocacy. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can argue for alternatives to incarceration and present mitigating factors to the judge.
How long does a criminal case take in Kingston?
Misdemeanor cases in Kingston City Court typically resolve in three to six months, though some take longer. Felony cases in Ulster County Court generally take six to 18 months, especially if going to trial. Timeline factors include case complexity, evidence volume, court scheduling, and whether you accept a plea deal or proceed to trial. Your attorney can expedite the process by filing appropriate motions and negotiating efficiently with prosecutors.
Take Action Before Time Runs Out
Criminal charges require immediate action. Evidence disappears, witnesses become unavailable, and critical legal deadlines pass quickly. The sooner you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney, the better your chances of a favorable outcome.
Whether you’re facing misdemeanor or felony charges, DWI, drug crimes, assault, or any other criminal matter in Kingston, NY, the Law Office of Benjamin Greenwald is ready to fight for you. We have the experience, dedication, and courtroom skills to challenge the prosecution’s case and protect your constitutional rights.
Don’t face the criminal justice system alone. Contact us immediately at (845) 567-4820 to schedule a confidential consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Se habla espanol. All major credit cards accepted.
Your future depends on the decisions you make today. Make the right choice. Call now.
Call Today – 845-567-4820