What to Do if You Are Charged with a Sex Crime in Long Island

What to Do if You Are Charged with a Sex Crime in Long Island

Oh boy, getting charged with a sex crime in Long Island can be scary. Believe me, I know. As a defense lawyer here for over 20 years, I’ve seen it all. But don’t panic! There are things you can do to protect yourself. I’m here to walk you through it, step-by-step.

First things first: take a deep breath. I know the cops just left and your head’s spinning. That’s normal! But you gotta keep your cool. Freaking out won’t help anything.

Okay, now call a lawyer. Seriously. I don’t care if your buddy’s cousin took a law class once. You need real legal advice from someone who knows Long Island courts. Trust me on this one. Many folks try going pro se (without a lawyer), but that rarely ends well. Better to beg and borrow if you need to. Your freedom’s on the line.

So you’ve got a lawyer now? Great! Next up: keep your mouth shut. I can’t stress this enough. Don’t talk about your case with anyone except your attorney. Not your spouse, not your pastor, no one. Prosecutors can use anything you say against you later. I’ve seen it happen too many times. So zip those lips!

Now we wait for two things: the charges and discovery. The charges list the specific crimes you’re accused of. Sometimes they pile on extras to scare you into pleading guilty. Shady tactic. Discovery shows the evidence against you. Once we get both, we’ll start building your defense.

I know waiting is agony, but try to be patient. The wheels of justice turn slow. Use this time to make a list of anyone who can vouch for your character. We call them character witnesses. Judges and juries eat those up!

So what happens if they offer you a plea bargain? Most cases end in plea deals, not trials. And some offers seem too good to pass up. But don’t take any deal without running it by me first! Prosecutors often pressure defendants into bad pleas. Never plead guilty unless I’ve vetted the deal thoroughly. Capiche?

Now for the tricky part: trial defenses. Every case is different, but for sex crimes, consent and credibility are key. Was there consent? Is the accuser credible? We’ll craft our defense strategy around poking holes there. I also dig deep into the discovery for inconsistencies. Nothing gets a jury’s ears perking up faster than contradictory evidence!

We also have to consider your past. Sorry, but any prior arrests or convictions will come out at trial. So if you have a record, own up now! We need to get ahead of anything that could make you look bad. I can’t blindside juries with surprises. Better the truth comes from us first.

Of course, going to trial is always a gamble. But it beats taking a raw plea deal! Acquittals do happen, especially if we expose sloppy police work or motives to lie. Still, if we lose, the sentence will be worse than any plea offer. Are you willing to roll those dice? Most clients aren’t.

So there you have it – a quick overview of sex crime cases in Long Island from arrest to trial. I know it’s a lot to digest. Heck, I still get anxious before court and I’ve done this for ages! The good news is you don’t have to figure this out alone. Lean on me. I’ll battle for you every step of the way. We got this!

Now…any questions for me before we get started?