Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving Brooklyn, NY

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My name is Michael J. McConnell, and I’m a criminal defense attorney serving Brooklyn, New York. I know being charged with a crime can feel scary and stressful. You may feel alone. You may worry about your future. You may worry about your job, your family, and your freedom.

You do not have to face this alone. I am here to help.

I defend people every day in Brooklyn and across the New York City area. I relentlessly fight for my clients. I understand what is at stake and I care about my clients. I take pride in leaving no stone unturned and keeping clients informed every step of the way. 

I offer free consultations, and my office is available 24/7 to take calls, including nights, weekends, and holidays. It costs nothing to talk and see if I can help you. 

So if you’re facing misdemeanor or felony charges in Brooklyn, don’t wait. Give me a call today for a free consultation. 

I started my legal career as a criminal prosecutor. I gained a ton of valuable training and experience practicing criminal law from my days as an assistant district attorney at the Manhattan DA’s Office. I learned how cases are built. I learned what evidence is important. I learned how the criminal justice system really works behind the scenes. 

I leverage my knowledge, training, and experience from my days as a prosecutor to successfully defend clients in my current role as a criminal defense lawyer. Knowing how the other side thinks allows me to better spot the weaknesses in their case. It allows me to attack their evidence, question their witnesses, and find problems in their investigation.

I defend clients facing misdemeanors and felonies in Kings County and the surrounding area. I represent people in all stages of the process, including:

• Before an arrest
• After a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT)
• At arraignment
• During hearings
• During plea negotiations
• All the way up to trial

No matter where your case stands right now, do not wait. Call today for a free consultation today. 

The criminal justice process has many steps. If you were arrested, you were likely brought to court for arraignment. At arraignment, you are told what the charges are. The judge decides bail or release.

If you’re being prosecuted for a misdemeanor, the case stays in Kings County Criminal Court, which handles crimes punishable by up to one year in jail. If you’re being prosecuted for a felony, the case will end up in Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term.

Some people receive a Desk Appearance Ticket, also known as a DAT. This means you get released after your arrest and must return to court later.

If the case continues, there may be motions, hearings, plea negotiations, or a trial. Every case is unique. I guide my clients through each stage so they never feel lost or ignored.

You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to talk to the police. You also have the right to a lawyer. If you cannot afford one, the court may assign you a public defender.

During an arrest or questioning, police must follow certain legal rules. If your rights were violated, I can challenge the evidence in court. 

A strong defense often involves filing motions to suppress. Under the law, evidence may be excluded if:

• Police searched you illegally
• The stop was unlawful
• You were questioned without being read your rights
• Evidence was gathered through force or bad procedure

If key evidence is thrown out, the case may be reduced or dismissed. I look closely at every detail to ensure that your rights are protected. 

Many people in Brooklyn face misdemeanor charges. Even though they are less serious than felonies, the consequences can still change your life. 

These charges can result in fines, jail time, probation, and a criminal record. They can affect work, housing, school, and immigration. Having an attorney can make a huge difference.

Some common misdemeanors include:

· Assault 

· Criminal Contempt

· Criminal Mischief 

· Criminal Obstruction of Breathing

· Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) 

· Forcible Touching

· Petit Larceny

· Obstructing Government Administration (OGA)

· Resisting Arrest

If you’re facing misdemeanor charges in Kings County Criminal Court, you can call me right now for a free consultation by phone. 

Felonies are a lot more serious than misdemeanors. They may involve lengthy prison sentences, long probation terms, and countless other serious collateral consequences that can impact the rest of your life, including housing, employment, education, immigration, and more. 

Common felony offenses include:

· Assault in the First and Second Degrees (typically involves an assault with a weapon)

· Burglary

· Drug Charges

· Gun Charges (“Criminal Possession of a Weapon or CPW”)

· Grand Larceny

· Robbery

If you are facing a felony in Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, call me right away. The sooner I begin working on your case, the sooner I can begin protecting your rights. 

Gun laws in New York are very strict. Many people face charges like Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, which carries mandatory prison time if convicted.

As a former prosecutor, I know how these cases are built. Sometimes the search that found the gun was unlawful. Sometimes the police stop was illegal. Sometimes the person never had knowledge or control over the weapon.

If you need a criminal defense lawyer in NYC for a gun charge, call me. These cases move quickly and the penalties are serious.

Domestic violence cases are taken very seriously in New York. They often involve orders of protection, no-contact rules, and other significant restrictions.

You may be charged with:

· Assault

· Criminal Contempt

· Criminal Obstruction of Breathing 

· Harassment

· Menacing

· Strangulation

Sometimes allegations are exaggerated. Sometimes they are false. Sometimes the situation was misunderstood. Sometimes the police only heard one side.

My job is not to judge you. My job is to defend you. 

I gained significant experience with domestic violence cases as a prosecutor and routinely handle them now as a criminal defense lawyer. If you're looking for a criminal defense lawyer for a DV charge in Brooklyn, give me a call today. 

Assault charges in New York can range from misdemeanors to violent felonies. The level depends on the injury, if a weapon was used, and other factors.

I defend:

· Assault in the third degree under Penal Law §120.00

· Assault in the second degree under Penal Law §120.05

· Assault in the first degree under Penal Law §120.10

These cases can be complicated. There may be self-defense arguments. There may be mistaken identity. There may be missing evidence.

Do not wait. Call me now.

Every case is different, but some defenses that may apply include:

· Self-defense or justification

· Lack of evidence

· Unlawful stop or search

· Violation of your rights

· Mistaken identity

· Lack of intent

A defense is only useful if it is actually supported by facts. This is why I always investigate carefully. I speak with my clients very often throughout the case. I ask questions. I review video, body cam footage, witness statements, and discovery. I don’t leave anything to chance. Too much is at stake.