Mount Vernon Criminal Defense Lawyer

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If you've found yourself charged with a crime in Mount Vernon, time matters and you can give me a call right now at (914) 810-0510 for a free consultation. 

My name is Michael J. McConnell and I’m a local criminal defense attorney right here in Westchester County. My office is just minutes from Mount Vernon, which makes it easy for me to meet with my clients and discuss case strategy privately and confidentially in person at my office.

I’m also a former prosecutor, which helps me defend people accused of crimes because I know how “the other side” thinks, what they look for, and where their weak spots are. I use this knowledge to aggressively fight for my clients day in and day out. 

When you call me, you’re not calling someone who treats you like a case number. You get a real person who cares. I bring high-quality representation that is diligent, thorough, and well-prepared. I fight to protect your rights, your future, and your reputation.

Don’t wait. Cases don’t get easier with time, which is why I pride myself on having a proactive approach. 

Call me now at (914) 810-0510 for a free consultation. Let’s talk confidentially, go over your situation, and decide your next steps together. I’ll tell you honestly where you stand, and what I can do to help. Let’s fight this together. 

When you hire me, you’re not just hiring some “better-than-thou” lawyer who thinks a law degree somehow makes them better or more important than anyone else. Whatever you’re accused of, you can give me a call. It’s okay if you’re scared, uncertain, or maybe even feeling ashamed if perhaps you just made a one-time mistake. You can feel comfortable coming to me for help. 

Here are my three core values that I hope might help you feel at ease giving me a call to get the legal help you need: 

1. Non-Judgment

I believe everyone deserves respect. I don’t judge you. Whether you made a mistake or were accused unfairly, I treat you with dignity, compassion, and understanding. My job isn’t to lecture — my job is to defend you. You’ll never feel looked-down-on or talked-down-to in my office. I want you to know that you can tell me your whole story. That honesty is powerful for building your defense.

2. Clear & Direct Communication

Legal stuff is confusing. Court procedures, charges, and the serious consequences that you might be facing — all of it can feel like a foreign language. I always try my best to talk with you in plain English. I’ll explain what’s happening, what your options are, and what I’m doing on your behalf. No surprises. No legal jargon without translation. When I say I’ll call you by Thursday afternoon, I will. When something changes, you’ll hear from me. You deserve to know where things stand.

3. Thorough Preparation

Cases are won or lost on the details. I prepare thoroughly. I dig into evidence. I interview witnesses. I research legal precedent. I map out a strong strategy. Whether that means negotiating with the prosecutor or taking the case to trial, nothing is left to chance. Meticulous preparation is how I protect your rights. More importantly, it’s how I earn your trust.

These values aren’t marketing slogans — they guide every decision I make. They’re how I earn results. They’re how I build trust with people like you. 

One of the biggest advantages you’ll have when working with me is that I used to be the other side. I served as a prosecutor in New York. I’ve walked in their shoes. I’ve handled cases from the prosecution’s viewpoint: what they think is strong evidence, how they prepare, what motions they file, what deadlines matter, and what plea-negotiation looks like from their side.

That experience lets me anticipate their arguments, challenge their assumptions, spot flaws in their case, and push back where others might give in. I understand the mindset of the district attorney’s office. And I use that knowledge to advocate for you. 

I defend people accused of a wide range of criminal offenses — misdemeanors and felonies — in Mount Vernon and elsewhere in Westchester County, Rockland County, and New York City. Whether your situation is common or complex, I’ve handled many types of cases both as a criminal defense lawyer and as a prosecutor, including but not limited to:

• Assault (ranging from misdemeanor assaults such as bar fights to serious violent      felonies such as stabbings)
• Burglary
• Criminal Contempt (Violating an Order of Protection)
• Criminal Mischief
• Criminal Obstruction of Breathing
• Drug Charges      
• DWIs
• Domestic Violence
• Forcible Touching
• Grand Larceny
• Gun Charges (CPW – Criminal Possession of a Weapon)
• Petit Larceny 
• Resisting Arrest
• Robbery

Whether you’re charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, I can guide you from the early stages through plea negotiations, pretrial motions, trials, sentencing, and appeals as needed.

No matter how serious the charge, you deserve a defense that fights to preserve your future.

You might wonder: what does a criminal defense attorney do that makes that much difference? Here’s how I help:

Protect Your Rights Immediately: After an arrest, police and prosecutors move fast. You need someone to ensure your rights are respected: protection against self-incrimination, illegal search and seizure, overbroad bail conditions, or wrongful detention.

Investigate & Gather Evidence: I review police reports, body-cam footage, video, photographs, witness statements. I interview witnesses. I examine forensic reports. I hire experts when       needed. I look for inconsistencies or constitutional violations in how evidence was collected.

File Motions to Exclude Bad Evidence: If the police violated procedure or overstretched their authority (illegal stop, improper search warrant wording, chain-of-custody errors, unreliable lab results), I may file motions to suppress evidence.

Negotiate with the Prosecutor: Plea bargains are a big part of criminal cases. But negotiation isn’t just accepting whatever is offered — it’s pushing back for reduced charges, dismissal of counts, or favorable terms (less jail time, alternative programs, probation, local diversion, treatment, or sealed records).

Prepare for Trial: Even if it seems likely you’ll plead, it is always best to prepare as if you will go to trial. That means preparing witness lists, drafting motions, lining up defense strategy, jury considerations. A genuine readiness to try the case can give a criminal defendant more leverage to get a better outcome. 

Represent You in Court: During court appearance, hearings, and trials — I stand with you. I argue for you. I cross-examine witnesses. I challenge the prosecution’s case point-by-point.

Minimize Long-Term Consequences: A criminal conviction can affect employment, housing, education, immigration status, licensing, and reputation. I work to reduce or eliminate collateral consequences (sealed records, plea to lesser offense, alternative sentencing/diversion, or record sealing where available under NY law).

Support & Guidance: Emotional stress, fear of the unknown, legal jargon — I walk you through every step. You’re not alone. I answer questions. I calm fears. I build trust.

That’s what a dedicated defense attorney does. And I believe in doing all of it — personally and thoroughly.

Timing matters. The sooner I’m involved, the more I can typically help. Here’s how timing breaks down:

Pre-arrest / Under Investigation: If you believe you’re under investigation or the Mount Vernon Police Department contacts you, immediate action is ideal. Early intervention by an attorney can sometimes prevent charges, limit the scope of investigation, or preserve your rights before anything is filed.

Immediately After Arrest: Once you’re arrested by the Mt. Vernon PD and charged, you should consult with an attorney immediately. Your rights may already be impacted (bail, search and seizure, preliminary hearings, arraignment). The sooner you act, the more options you’ll have.

Even Later in the Process: Yes, even if the case has been dragging on for months or is now heading to trial, you can still contact me for a free consultation. Of course, it’s advantageous to get involved earlier, but if you’re at a point right now where you want to hire a private criminal defense lawyer to fight your case, it might not be too late. Even during the late stages of the case, we can still influence the outcome by moving to suppress evidence, negotiating a better plea deal, or taking your case to trial. 

Why “Earlier” Helps: Like many areas of life, early and active involvement gives us more options. Witnesses are more available. Evidence hasn’t disappeared. Negotiation windows may exist. Plea offers may remain open. And we have more time to build a strategic defense and prepare for trial. 

So if you’re thinking “should I wait until everything settles down,” I’ll say this: don’t wait. Call me now. 

You might be wondering about cost. That’s a very common and fair concern. Here’s how I approach it:

Public Defender / Assigned Counsel: If you cannot afford a private attorney, the court can appoint a public defender or assigned counsel at no cost to you. That’s your constitutional right. But while they do vital work, their case loads are usually heavy, and your representation may not always include the level of individualized attention, strategic planning, or communication that you desire. 

Private Attorney Benefits: Hiring me privately means I can devote more time, provide multiple strategy sessions with you at my office, keep you fully informed, respond to your calls or texts, and spend a ton of time just thinking about your case and the optimal strategy. This includes conducting an independent investigation and otherwise preparing for trial. I’m selective about the cases I take and as a private attorney I’m never forced to take a case that I don’t want. What this means is that any case I take, it’s because we both really want to work together to fight the charges. As a result, this allows me to offer a higher level of service than I would be able to if I was just required by “my boss” or “my job” to handle your case. 

Flexible Fee Structures for Qualified Applicants and Cases: I understand that legal fees are stressful. If you’re unsure whether you can afford a private attorney, don’t assume “no.” Call me anyway. For qualified clients and cases, I may offer payment plans, customized fee arrangements, or tiered services. My goal is to make high-quality defense accessible when it genuinely can work. If we’re a good fit, we might be able to find a way.

What Affects Your Fee: It really can depend on so many factors but here are some of the most common ones: the severity of the charge (misdemeanor vs felony), whether the case may go to trial, how complex the evidence is, whether experts are needed, and how much motion practice is required. All of these things – as well as others – play into the overall cost. I’ll always try to be upfront with you about what’s likely reasonable, what options exist, and what you might expect.

Value & Peace of Mind: Most importantly, hiring me isn’t just paying for “lawyer hours.” You’re investing in your future: avoiding jail time, protecting your record, preserving your rights, and working to move forward with your life intact. The cost may feel high, but the stakes are high and a strong defense requires a lot of hard work. It takes what it takes. Simple as that. 

If you’re unsure whether a private attorney is within your reach, call me. Let’s talk about cost openly. We may be able to find a solution.

 To help you understand your case better, here are a few legal basics you might find useful:

Misdemeanor vs. Felony

Misdemeanors are usually understood to be lesser offenses. In New York, misdemeanors generally carry potential jail time of up to one year, fines, community service, or probation. They’re “less serious” than felonies — but still serious. A misdemeanor conviction can still affect your job, housing, reputation, or your ability to get licenses.

Felony charges are more serious. Felonies carry greater penalties: more jail time (over one year), heavier fines, long-term consequences (for example, post-release supervision). They’re recorded as felonies on your criminal record, which may affect employment, housing, or other opportunities more severely.

Depending on your case, I’ll explain whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or felony, what the difference means for you, and what strategies may apply to reduce the severity or avoid conviction.

If you're arrested or even questioned by police, anything you say can be used against you. It might seem tempting to explain or defend yourself in the moment — but that can backfire. You have the right to remain silent and to speak with an attorney before you answer questions. Even a seemingly harmless statement may be twisted or taken out of context. It’s far safer to have your attorney do the talking for you if necessary.  

Law enforcement isn’t perfect. Sometimes procedures aren’t followed properly. Maybe there was an illegal search, a warrant with flaws, or rights violations. Sometimes evidence was collected improperly, or chain-of-custody was ignored. Sometimes coercion or improper questioning happens. As your attorney, I’m trained to look for those flaws. If I find them, I push to exclude that evidence or challenge its admissibility. I fight to hold the police accountable to the rules because your rights matter.

Prosecutors have discretion. They decide whether to bring charges, what level of offense to charge you with, and what plea offers to make. They may rely on standard practices or patterns instead of the unique facts of your life. Sometimes they overcharge, or assume guilt before hearing the full story. You need someone who doesn’t simply respond. Instead, you need someone who pushes back: argues motions, negotiates aggressively, demands fairness, and stays on the offensive when necessary. 

If you’re facing criminal charges (misdemeanor or felony) in Mount Vernon, don’t face them alone. You deserve honest advice, a tough defense, and someone in your corner who cares.

Call me now at (914) 810-0510 or send me a message. I’ll meet with you for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll talk about your rights, your options, and your best path forward. It could change everything.

You don’t have to live with the fear or uncertainty. Reach out today. Let’s start fighting together.