Protecting your future. That’s our top priority.
An arrest in New Rochelle can jeopardize your freedom and your future. You might be worried about jail, losing your job, or getting kicked out of college.
During this uncertainty, you might be looking for a sense of calm and clarity from a local criminal defense attorney who can step into a difficult situation and provide you with a clear plan.
At the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell, we understand what is at stake for our clients and are focused on providing solution-oriented criminal defense through:
- straightforward legal advice
- clear communication
- and thorough case preparation
When you hire Michael J. McConnell as your attorney, you get a former NYC prosecutor who brings a tough, no-nonsense approach to criminal defense with experience handling both felony and misdemeanor cases, including those related to domestic violence, gun possession, selling drugs, and sexual assault allegations.
He also has a proven track record of putting his clients first through clear, constant, and compassionate communication throughout every step of their case.
If you want to speak with Michael J. McConnell about your case in New Rochelle, the first phone call is always free, so give us a call at (914) 810-0510 or click the button below to book your free consultation today.
The Value of Hiring a Lawyer Before an Arrest in New Rochelle
Sometimes an officer or detective will reach out to you before formal charges are brought.
For example, a detective might call you stating they want to “hear your side” and request that you come down to speak with them at the New Rochelle Police Department located at 475 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801.
If you get a call like that, it is highly recommended that you immediately speak with a trusted criminal defense lawyer with experience handling pre-arrest matters.
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 prosecutors 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.
So if whether you’ve been contacted by the New Rochelle Police yet or are worried you might be under investigation, this is often the best time to contact a local criminal defense lawyer.
The Arrest Process in New Rochelle
Most arrests in New Rochelle happen immediately after an incident such as a fight, a routine traffic stop, or a stop and frisk on the street.
Once the cops put handcuffs on you, they will bring you back to the police station for fingerprints, mugshots, and other routine arrest processing.
For certain offenses (mostly misdemeanors and some non-violent felonies), you might get released within a few hours with a “Desk Appearance Ticket” or “DAT” that tells you to appear in New Rochelle City Court on a future date for your arraignment (i.e., first court appearance).
For other offenses (certain felonies and/or cases involving violence), you might be held in police custody until your arraignment before a judge in New Rochelle City Court.
Right to Remain Silent After an Arrest
It is very important to understand that you are not required to give a statement to the cops if they ask you for one after an arrest. You have a constitutional right to remain silent, which means your silence cannot be used against you in court but anything you say certainly can.
If you’re thinking about taking a gamble and speaking to the cops without a lawyer present, it is highly recommended that you at least call a lawyer first to discuss your options. The cops have ways of tripping people up and tricking them into making incriminatory statements—especially people who might actually be innocent and falsely accused.
The Purpose of an Arraignment in New Rochelle City Court
An arraignment is the first court appearance after an arrest in New York. It is not a trial, which means the purpose is not to decide whether you actually did the crime or not.
The purpose of an arraignment in New Rochelle is simply to address a few immediate issues that must be handled before the case moves forward, including:
- Formally advising you of the charges filed against you and your rights;
- Addressing legal representation (paid lawyer versus a public defender if you cannot afford a lawyer);
- Deciding whether you should be released pre-trial or held in custody (bail or remand);
- Issuing a temporary order of protection if necessary (very common in domestic violence cases)
- Picking the next court date.
Arraignments are almost always very short (i.e., a few minutes). However, the decisions made during that quick appearance can have a major impact on the direction of your case, which is why it can be so valuable to have skilled legal representation lined up before you get into court.
Our Approach to Criminal Defense: Thorough, Clear, and Straightforward
The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell provides skilled and proactive legal representation that is focused on providing high-quality and solution-oriented defense to people charged with criminal offenses in New Rochelle and throughout Westchester County, including nearby areas like Mamaroneck, Larchmont, and Pelham.
Who We Help
The Law Office of Michae J. McConnell proudly represents people from all walks of life, including:
- Working professionals (nurses, teachers, construction workers, electricians, corporate employees, financial advisors, etc.)
- College students, graduate students, and young adults
- Small business owners and entrepreneurs
- Parents
- Retirees
- Military Veterans
Our clients also include people who have been arrested for the first time to those with prior convictions. We are open to everyone and take great pride in helping good people through their most difficult times with the genuine care and compassion they deserve.
The Cases We Handle
We handle all levels of felonies and misdemeanors, including but not limited to the following list:
- Assault
- Burglary
- Child Abuse
- Criminal Obstruction of Breathing
- Criminal Contempt
- Domestic Violence
- Drug Crimes (felony level only)
- DWI
- Forcible Touching
- Grand Larceny
- Gun Possession
- Menacing
- Possessing or Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child
- Rape
- Resisting Arrest
- Robbery
- Sexual Abuse
- Strangulation
- Vehicle Theft
Each and every case is treated seriously from start to finish. And since we are not a “high-volume practice,” it allows us the time to go deeper on each case that we take.
Our Fee Structure for New Rochelle Criminal Defense
Cases vary in terms of complexity, and for that reason the price of a given case can vary based on its unique facts.
What is constant regarding our fees is our focus on simplicity, clarity, and transparency when it comes to how you will pay for legal representation if you hire us as your criminal defense lawyer in New Rochelle.
Misdemeanors
On misdemeanor cases, we always do flat fees. This means that the case will cost an agreed upon amount from the start so that you don’t have to worry about surprise bills or unexpected costs.
There is, of course, an additional flat fee for hearings and trial if the case gets that far, but you will know the cost for that from the start as well.
You might ask, “why the additional fee for hearings and trial?”
Well, the answer is that statistically the vast majority of cases in New York don’t reach that stage, so separating those fees is often preferred by clients who want to avoid paying for something upfront that might never be necessary.
For that reason, we believe it’s best to split the case into two distinct stages. It’s easy enough to do and just seems to make a whole lot of sense for both the client and the attorney.
Felonies
We do offer flat fees on many felony cases that we commonly handle, but there are some types of felony cases that don’t mesh well with flat fee arrangements.
For example, on more complex felony cases or those that tend to be more unpredictable in terms of the path the case will take are not really suitable for flat fee agreements.
In those cases, other fee structures might be used, including but not limited to hybrid structures that properly account for the particularities of the case.
Regardless of the fee structure we use on a felony case, you will always get the written fee agreement in writing, which will be in clear and simple language that expressly lays out the cost and what the representation includes.
Was someone you know just arrested in New Rochelle? Or do you have an upcoming court date in New Rochelle City Court? Call 24/7 to speak with a local criminal defense lawyer.
Whether you are looking for a lawyer for yourself, a family member, or a friend, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is available to take your call 24/7 if you are looking to hire a criminal defense lawyer after an arrest in New Rochelle, NY.
Page last updated on May 26th, 2026.