New Rochelle Criminal Defense Lawyer

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If you or a family member has been arrested in New Rochelle, NY, we know you are going through a stressful time. That’s why we are here to help.

You’re welcome to continue reading further, but why not just give us a call? We offer free consultations, so it costs nothing to speak with an attorney right now. 

Call (914) 810-0510 for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been arrested in New Rochelle. 

Time matters. Every minute may affect your future. You need an attorney who knows how the system works. You need someone who will fight for you.

Our office is located just a few miles from New Rochelle in Ardsley, NY. That means we can meet with you quickly. We can talk in person. We can speak privately and confidentially. We are minutes away from local courts, jails, and police stations.

You deserve strong defense. You deserve respect. You deserve fairness.

Michael J. McConnell is a former prosecutor. He knows how cases are built from the other side. He understands how law enforcement works. He knows how prosecutors think. That gives you an advantage. He uses that insider knowledge to plan your defense.

He now practices criminal defense, but he brings that prosecutorial understanding into every case – whether it’s a misdemeanor or a serious felony.

We believe in putting clients first. We hold ourselves to three core values:

1. Non-judgment: We meet you with compassion. We don't judge. We listen. 
2. Clear & Direct Communication: You will always know what is happening with your case. We explain things in plain terms. We answer your questions honestly. 
3. Thorough Preparation: Every case gets prepared like it is going to go to trial. We investigate. We review evidence. We build a strong and strategic defense from day one. 

Because of these values, our clients know they have someone in their corner who is serious about defending their rights and protecting their future.

We defend people charged with a wide range of criminal offenses in the New Rochelle area. 

These include:

Misdemeanors 

• Assault in the Third Degree
• Forcible Touching
• Criminal Mischief
• Menacing
• Domestic Violence (misdemeanor level)
• Criminal Obstruction of Breathing
• Petit Larceny
• DWI /DWAI (Driving While Intoxicated / Driving While Ability Impaired)
• Trespass or other local city violations

Felonies

• Assault in the Second Degree
• Assault in the First Degree
• Gang Assault
• Robbery
• Burglary
• Grand Larceny
• Gun /Firearm Charges
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (felony level narcotics offenses)
• Drug Distribution / Drug Trafficking
• Strangulation
• Domestic violence felonies
• Other violent or non-violent felony charges

If you face any of these—or something similar—we can help.

One of your most important rights is the right to remain silent when questioned by police. You do not have to answer questions without an attorney present. Anything you say can be used against you.

If police contact you (or want to question you) exercise that right. Politely say you want an attorney. Call us immediately. We will help protect your rights, limit harmful statements, and make sure your side of the story is told correctly.

Using that right can prevent mistakes. It can stop admissions of guilt. It can reduce later damage.

Sometimes local law enforcement or investigators may reach out before formal charges. For example they may contact you by phone, or invite you to speak. Even pre-arrest, there are things you can do to protect yourself.

Hiring an attorney early (i.e., BEFORE an arrest) can help you:

• Understand whether you are under investigation.
• Avoid self-incriminating statements.
• Arrange an interview with your attorney present.
• Prepare for potential charges before they are filed.
• Sometimes negotiate with investigators before the formal case begins.
• Preserve evidence that might be lost or altered.
• If an arrest is going to take place, we can help arrange a voluntary surrender      on a date and time that works better for you. 

Early legal representation can reduce risk, reduce surprise charges, and give you time to build your defense from the start.

If you think police might contact you (or you have been told they want to talk to you) don’t wait. Contact us now. 

Call (914) 810-0510

Every case is different. The cost of hiring a private criminal defense attorney depends on many factors, including:

• Whether the charge is a misdemeanor or felony
• How serious the offense is (violent crime? gun? drug? prior record?)
• How complex the case is (witnesses? experts? forensic evidence?)
• How long the case may go (plea discussions vs trial)
• The number of hearings, motions, and discovery requests involved

Typically, even a misdemeanor case handled privately can cost several thousand dollars. Felony cases often cost more depending on the seriousness, potential prison time someone is facing, investigation needs, and trial preparation.

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell can sometimes offer flexible payment arrangements for qualified individuals. That means we may be able to spread payments over time or adjust based on your situation.

We will review your circumstances during your first consultation. We aim for fees that reflect the work, but also fairness. While quality legal representation comes at a cost, the reality is that these cases require a lot of work, especially because so much is at stake. 

With that said, if you’re not sure if you can afford a criminal defense attorney, it never hurts to request a free consultation. An attorney will learn more about your case and can discuss a price with you. 

If you just learned there is an arrest warrant, if you or someone you love was taken into custody, or you were just picked up for questioning, it is generally recommended that you take these steps immediately:

1. Stay calm.
2. Do not answer questions without an attorney.
3. Call a trusted criminal defense lawyer. 
4. Ask to speak directly to the attorney.
5. Learn about your legal options during a free consultation that is private and confidential. 

Time is critical. Delaying could cost you your rights or limit your defense options.

If you’re a college student in the New Rochelle area at Iona University, Monroe College, or another local school, a criminal conviction could stand in the way of you pursuing your dreams. 

• You may worry about how an arrest or conviction affects your class standing, housing, or campus life.
• You may have limited money, part-time income, or financial aid obligations.
• You may not understand how criminal law affects your future jobs, internships, or graduate school applications.
• You may feel alone, scared, or unsure.

If you are a student, we will treat you with respect. We will explain how charges may affect you now and in the future. And for qualified individuals and cases, we can discuss flexible payment plans as we know being on a “college student budget” doesn’t make paying for unexpected legal fees all that easy. 

We also understand that students may have less experience with the legal system. We will walk you through every step. We will explain what hearings mean, how plea negotiations work, what happens at trial, and what the long-term impact of a criminal record might be.

At the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell, you are not just a “case number.” You are a person with hopes, a future, and rights. We defend that future. And there is hardly anything more important as a criminal defense lawyer than protecting the future of a college student pursuing their dreams. 

Sometimes people are arrested even when they did nothing wrong or when the evidence is really weak. In those cases, you can count on the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell to aggressively fight back through a proactive approach that doesn’t leave anything to chance. 

• We demand answers from law enforcement.
• We challenge illegal searches or seizures.
• We push back on overreaching charges.
• We scrutinize police reports, body-cam video, witness statements, forensic testing.
• We file motions to suppress evidence.
• We prepare for trial, ready to put the prosecution to the test.

If you believe your rights were violated (especially if you were wrongfully arrested or charged) we will stand up for you. We will not back down.

If you are fighting false allegations, you deserve legal representation that is serious, aggressive, and proactive. We don’t stand for injustice. We fight back. 

• Local criminal defense attorney. 
• A former prosecutor who knows how the other side works. 
• Client-first values.
• Diligent preparation. 
• Transparent communication.
• Personalized strategy.

We are ready to go to work for you today. Call us now at (914) 810-0510. 

 Call us now. Don’t wait. The sooner we speak, the sooner we can protect you.

You can visit our office located just a few minutes away. We offer confidential in-office or remote meetings.

Let us review your case. Let us explain your rights. Let us build a defense.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation.