Criminal Defense for Misdemeanor and Felony Charges
If you have been arrested or are facing criminal charges in New York City or surrounding counties, early legal representation can affect bail decisions, evidence evaluation, and case outcomes.
Already agreed on the scope and fee with Attorney De La Cruz? Sign your criminal defense retainer online.
Sign Your RetainerCriminal Cases We Handle
We represent clients in misdemeanor and felony matters, from arrest through disposition. Early legal advice can change outcomes.
Misdemeanor Charges
Defending clients against misdemeanor charges, including assault, theft, drug possession, and disorderly conduct. Early representation can affect plea offers and bail decisions.
Felony Charges
Representation in felony cases involving indictment, grand jury proceedings, discovery, motions, and trial. We emphasize thorough case review and strategic motion practice.
Domestic Violence / Family Offense
Criminal defense in domestic violence cases that often overlap with Family Court. We address both the criminal charges and implications for custody and visitation.
Drug Charges
Defense against drug possession, sale, and distribution charges. We analyze search legality, forensic evidence, and negotiation options.
Arrest and Bail Issues
Immediate assistance after arrest, including advice on bail arguments, release strategies, and managing the initial court appearance to minimize custody time.
Grand Jury and Indictment
Navigation of grand jury proceedings in felony cases, including the decision whether to testify, grand jury minutes review, and post-indictment strategy.
Criminal Defense in Action
Learn how we approach criminal defense cases in New York City courts.
The Criminal Case Process
Understanding each stage helps you prepare and make informed decisions.
Arrest and Booking
You are taken into custody, booked, and held pending arraignment. Early attorney involvement ensures prompt notification to the court and faster first appearance.
Arraignment
First formal court appearance where charges are read, counsel appears, and bail/release is determined. This appearance sets the trajectory of the case.
Discovery and Investigation
Prosecution discloses evidence; defense reviews police reports, witness statements, video, and forensic material. Thorough discovery review is critical to case evaluation.
Motions and Pretrial Issues
Defense raises legal challenges, including suppression of unlawful searches/seizures, dismissal of legally insufficient charges, and speedy trial issues.
Grand Jury (Felonies)
Prosecution presents to grand jury for indictment. Defense may challenge grand jury sufficiency or pursue alternatives depending on case and jurisdiction.
Negotiation or Trial
Case may resolve through plea negotiation or proceed to trial. Strategy depends on evidence strength, client goals, and legal issues in the case.
Criminal Defense Fees
Sign Your RetainerWe publish our criminal defense fees because you should know what the case will cost before you are standing in arraignment. Criminal cases at the firm are handled in one of two ways: a lump-sum retainer up front, or pay-as-you-go. We do not charge flat fees for criminal cases, because the length of a criminal case is set by the court and the district attorney, not by us. Whichever arrangement you choose, it is confirmed in a written retainer agreement before any work begins.
Consultations: the first 30 minutes are free. Additional consultation time is billed at $350 per hour in 6-minute increments, and we tell you before any chargeable time is spent. The same rate applies to out-of-court work in a criminal matter.
Two ways to pay for a criminal case
| Arrangement | Best for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Lump-sum retainer up front | Clients who want the whole case funded before it begins, with one engagement covering every stage | $3,000, or $6,000 for a felony or multi-charge matter, paid at the start and held in the firm's trust account. Work is applied at $350 per hour as it is earned, and any unused balance is refunded when the case ends. |
| Pay-as-you-go | Clients who would rather pay one step at a time as the case moves forward, with no large payment at the start | $350 for the arraignment and $525 for each court date after arraignment, each including up to 30 minutes of out-of-court work, then $350 per hour beyond that |
Lump-sum retainer up front
The retainer is money paid before the work begins and held in the firm's trust account. It is not a quote, and it is not a cap: it is applied to the work your case actually requires at the published rate of $350 per hour, in 6-minute increments. Court dates, arraignment, discovery review, motions, negotiations with the district attorney, and time with you are all billed against it.
| Retainer | Amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal defense retainer | $3,000 | Arraignment, discovery review, court dates, motions, and plea negotiations, billed against the retainer at $350 per hour |
| Criminal defense retainer — felony or multi-charge matter | $6,000 | The same terms, sized for cases with more charges, more court dates, or an expected indictment |
- You receive an itemized statement of the time applied against the retainer, so you can see what each stage cost.
- If the balance runs low, we ask you to replenish it before the next stage; the threshold is stated in the retainer agreement.
- When the representation ends, any unearned balance is refunded to you. No fee is ever non-refundable.
- The retainer can be paid in two or three installments over 60 days, with a signed card or bank authorization.
Pay-as-you-go
Pay-as-you-go has no retainer and no large payment at the start. You pay for each court date as it approaches, and for out-of-court work beyond the 30 minutes included with each date.
| Item | Fee | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Arraignment in the Bronx | $350 | Everything on arraignment day: the court paperwork, speaking with you and your family, and standing with you before the judge |
| Each court date after arraignment, Bronx | $525 | The appearance, plus up to 30 minutes of out-of-court work since the last court date |
| Court appearance in all other counties | $525 | The appearance; travel to and from court is billed separately |
| Out-of-court work beyond the 30 minutes included | $350 per hour | Billed in 6-minute increments ($35 each), itemized on your statement |
| Pre-trial hearing days and trial days | $525 plus time | Billed as an additional court date plus the preparation and in-court time they require, once the court schedules them |
Typical pay-as-you-go totals run $2,800 to $5,600, depending on whether the case starts with an arrest or a Desk Appearance Ticket, whether the top charge is a misdemeanor or a felony, and how many pre-trial court dates the case has: each additional pre-trial date adds $525. The court and the district attorney set that number. The felony estimates assume the charge is reduced and resolved in Criminal Court; cases that are indicted, go to hearings, or go to trial cost more.
Consultations
| Service | Fee | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal defense consultation — first 30 minutes | Free | Charge review, exposure, and next steps |
| Consultation time beyond 30 minutes | $350 per hour | Billed in 6-minute increments, only with your consent |
How payment works
- The lump-sum retainer can be paid in two or three installments over 60 days, with a signed card or bank authorization.
- Under pay-as-you-go, $350 is due before the arraignment and $525 no later than 7 days before each later court date, charged to the card or bank authorization you sign at the start.
- We accept credit and debit cards, ACH bank transfer, Zelle, checks, and cash.
- Court surcharges, transcripts, investigators, and expert fees are billed at cost with your approval.
- Money that has not been earned is refunded when the representation ends. No fee is ever non-refundable.
What a typical pay-as-you-go case costs
Cost depends on how your case started, whether the top charge is a misdemeanor or a felony, and how many pre-trial court dates your case takes.
| Case type | DAT — Misdemeanor | Arrest — Misdemeanor | DAT — Felony | Arrest — Felony |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it starts | You received a Desk Appearance Ticket with a court date | You were arrested and are arraigned within about a day | You received a Desk Appearance Ticket on a felony charge | You were arrested on a felony charge |
| Arraignment | $350 | $350 | $350 | $350 |
| Pre-trial court dates (typical) | 3 × $525 = $1,575 | 3 × $525 = $1,575 | 4 × $525 = $2,100 | 4 × $525 = $2,100 |
| Each additional pre-trial court date | +$525 | +$525 | +$525 | +$525 |
| Additional out-of-court work (typical) | 2.5–5 hours ($875–$1,750) | 3–5.5 hours ($1,050–$1,925) | 5.5–8 hours ($1,925–$2,800) | 6.5–9 hours ($2,275–$3,150) |
| Typical total (dates shown) | $2,800–$3,675 | $2,975–$3,850 | $4,375–$5,250 | $4,725–$5,600 |
DAT — Misdemeanor
- How it starts
- You received a Desk Appearance Ticket with a court date
- Arraignment
- $350
- Pre-trial court dates (typical)
- 3 × $525 = $1,575
- Each additional pre-trial court date
- +$525
- Additional out-of-court work (typical)
- 2.5–5 hours ($875–$1,750)
- Typical total (dates shown)
- $2,800–$3,675
Arrest — Misdemeanor
- How it starts
- You were arrested and are arraigned within about a day
- Arraignment
- $350
- Pre-trial court dates (typical)
- 3 × $525 = $1,575
- Each additional pre-trial court date
- +$525
- Additional out-of-court work (typical)
- 3–5.5 hours ($1,050–$1,925)
- Typical total (dates shown)
- $2,975–$3,850
DAT — Felony
- How it starts
- You received a Desk Appearance Ticket on a felony charge
- Arraignment
- $350
- Pre-trial court dates (typical)
- 4 × $525 = $2,100
- Each additional pre-trial court date
- +$525
- Additional out-of-court work (typical)
- 5.5–8 hours ($1,925–$2,800)
- Typical total (dates shown)
- $4,375–$5,250
Arrest — Felony
- How it starts
- You were arrested on a felony charge
- Arraignment
- $350
- Pre-trial court dates (typical)
- 4 × $525 = $2,100
- Each additional pre-trial court date
- +$525
- Additional out-of-court work (typical)
- 6.5–9 hours ($2,275–$3,150)
- Typical total (dates shown)
- $4,725–$5,600
Felony estimates assume the charge is reduced and resolved in Criminal Court. These figures are for Bronx cases: in all counties other than the Bronx, each court appearance is $525 and travel to and from court is billed separately, while out-of-court work stays at $350 per hour. Pre-trial hearing days and trial dates are billed as additional court dates plus the preparation and in-court time they require, so they can be estimated only once the court schedules them.
Important: Do Not Ignore Court Papers
If you receive a summons, arrest warrant, or court notice, seek legal counsel immediately. Missing court appearances can result in additional charges and bail revocation.
When to Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer
- You have been arrested or received a desk appearance ticket.
- You are aware of a warrant or pending arrest.
- You received a grand jury notice or subpoena.
- You are unsure about your bail or release conditions.
- You want to understand your legal options before the first court appearance.
Common Questions About Criminal Defense
Facing Criminal Charges in New York?
Early legal representation can affect bail decisions, evidence evaluation, and ultimate outcomes. Contact THE NDLC LAW FIRM, PLLC immediately if you have been arrested or are facing charges.
Serving clients in Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and surrounding counties.