Facing Criminal Charges in Mount Vernon City Court? Let Us Fight for You.
Getting a call from a detective or being arrested by the Mount Vernon Police Department can feel intimidating. Next thing you know, you’re facing serious criminal charges in Mount Vernon City Court.
If you’re looking for a local criminal defense lawyer in Westchester County who is a former prosecutor and firmly committed to putting his clients first, make the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell your first call.
We handle all levels of felonies and misdemeanors in Mount Vernon and the surrounding area. For a free consultation, call (914) 810-0510 or book one through the button below.
What types of criminal charges do you handle?
The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell regularly provides skilled criminal defense legal representation to individuals charged with gun possession, narcotics offenses, domestic violence, assault, resisting arrest, sex crimes, grand larceny, and other felony and misdemeanor charges.
How does Michael J. McConnell’s experience as a former prosecutor help his clients?
As a former prosecutor with jury trial experience, Michael J. McConnell understands how serious criminal charges are investigated and prosecuted. He uses that experience to see a case from all angles and identify weaknesses in the DA’s case.
He has handled many of the most common criminal charges from both sides of the courtroom, particularly those involving firearms possession, felony level narcotics offenses, assaults, and domestic violence. That experience helps him prepare a proactive defense based on what the DA is likely to do next.
What makes your office the right fit for someone facing criminal charges in Mount Vernon, NY?
Clients often choose the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell because they want a local criminal defense attorney who is a former prosecutor, communicates frequently with clients, and takes a proactive approach to building a strong defense.
When you hire Michael J. McConnell, you get a lawyer who will:
- Listen with compassion and without judgment, no matter what you’re accused of.
- Provide clear, direct, and frequent communication throughout your case.
- Be thoroughly prepared to fight your case from start to finish.
The Law Office of Michel J. McConnell also takes particular pride in defending clients who have been arrested as a result of police misconduct, including illegal stops and frisks, unlawful searches, excessive force, racial profiling, and false claims of resisting arrest or assaulting a cop.
What happens when you’re arrested in Mount Vernon, NY?
After you are arrested by the Mount Vernon Police Department, you will generally be fingerprinted, processed, and have arrest paperwork completed.
Depending on the charge, you may be held until your arraignment in Mount Vernon City Court or receive a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) telling you to return to court on a future date.
What is a Desk Appearance Ticket?
A DAT does not mean your case is not serious. It simply allows you to return to court on a later date instead of being held until your arraignment.
DATs are common in misdemeanor cases and some lower-level, non-violent felonies, especially for someone facing a first arrest. If you receive a DAT, it is a good idea to speak with a Mount Vernon criminal defense lawyer before your court date.
What happens if I am held after my arrest?
You may be held in police custody until your arraignment in Mount Vernon City Court at 2 Roosevelt Square North, 2nd Floor, Mount Vernon, NY 10550.
The amount of time before arraignment can vary, but it should generally occur within 24 hours. If you need to speak with a lawyer before your first court appearance, call (914) 810-0510.
What can I expect at an arraignment in Mount Vernon City Court?
An arraignment is where you are informed of the charges and your rights. The judge will also decide whether to release you, set bail, or, in some cases, remand you to custody.
An arraignment is usually a quick appearance. It is not a hearing or trial, so you should not expect witnesses or police officers to testify.
Will the judge set bail?
Whether bail will be set depends on the charges, your criminal record, and other factors.
If you are charged with a qualifying offense under CPL § 510.10(4), the judge may have discretion to set bail or remand you to custody.
If you are not charged with a qualifying offense, you will typically be released on your own recognizance or with conditions.
What if I am charged with domestic violence in Mount Vernon City Court?
In some domestic violence cases, a judge may issue a temporary order of protection (TOP) directing you to stay away from or have no contact with the complainant.
If you receive an order of protection, follow it carefully. Violating the order can lead to additional criminal charges.
How can a Mount Vernon criminal defense lawyer challenge the DA’s evidence?
A strong defense starts from day one. It begins with a thorough interview of the client and an independent investigation of what happened.
That can include interviewing witnesses, preserving video, reviewing police reports, and carefully examining every step law enforcement took.
A careful investigation may uncover facts that support a motion to suppress evidence or a defense at trial.
For example, in a gun case, reviewing every second of body-camera footage may reveal that the police stop or frisk was not supported by reasonable suspicion.
In an assault case, other witnesses or inconsistencies in the alleged victim’s account may support a self-defense claim or otherwise undermine the prosecution’s case.
The key is being on top of the case from the start. Witness memories fade and video can be deleted, so early investigation matters.
If the Mount Vernon police stopped me for no reason, can my case get dismissed?
It is possible for a criminal case to be dismissed if police stopped, frisked, or searched you without proper legal justification. Whether that happens depends on the specific facts and the law that applies.
This issue often comes up in gun and narcotics cases.
For example, if police recover a loaded gun after an unlawful stop or frisk on Gramatan Avenue, a judge may suppress the gun and prevent the DA from using it at trial. Without that evidence, the DA may no longer have a viable case.
How do you challenge an unlawful stop or frisk?
The key is to carefully examine every step of the police encounter.
New York law does not allow police to stop and frisk someone based only on a hunch. The defense should identify exactly what officers say they saw and what information they had at the moment they stopped or frisked the person.
If the police cannot credibly identify facts supporting the stop, frisk, or search, a judge may find that the evidence was unlawfully obtained.
Why does the officer’s credibility matter?
Suppression hearings involving illegal stops and frisks can come down to the credibility of the police officers involved. Courts may sometimes give significant weight to an officer’s claimed “training and experience.”
That makes it important to examine what that training and experience actually is rather than simply accepting those words as a substitute for reasonable suspicion.
What if the police say they saw “furtive movements” or a “suspicious bulge”?
As a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, Michael J. McConnell understands how police testimony about stops and frisks can be successfully challenged in court.
Officers may use terms such as “blading,” “furtive movements,” or “suspicious bulges” to describe conduct they believe was suspicious.
The defense should compare those claims with the actual evidence. Does the body camera show blading or furtive movement? Is there really a bulge? Does nearby surveillance tell the same story? Do the original police reports match what the officer later says in court?
These details really matter and can often be the difference in beating a serious case or not.
Ultimately, challenging the police version of events comes down to preparation and the willingness to closely examine the evidence, which is why it is so important to have an attorney who will dive deep into the evidence and aggressively challenge police misconduct.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a Free Consultation Today.
Our office helps people facing criminal charges in Mount Vernon and throughout Westchester County.
We represent the innocent, first-time offenders, people with prior convictions trying to get their lives back on track, people accused of serious crimes, people facing substance-abuse issues, and people who made a one-time mistake.
No matter who you are—or what you are accused of—you can call an attorney who will listen, explain your options, and stand up for you.
The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell offers free and confidential case evaluations for individuals arrested in Mount Vernon, NY. Schedule yours today by calling us at (914) 810-0510 or signing up for one below.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational and educational purposes only. If you need legal advice, contact an attorney immediately and speak with them privately about your unique situation. Prior results don’t guarantee future outcomes.
This page was last updated on October 1st, 2026.