Former Prosecutor and Local Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving White Plains, NY

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is a local criminal defense law firm serving White Plains, NY and the surrounding Westchester County area. We handle all levels of felonies and misdemeanors, including primarily gun possession charges, narcotics offenses, domestic violence, assaults, grand larceny, and resisting arrest.

When you hire Michael J. McConnell as your criminal defense attorney, you get a strong advocate with prosecutorial experience who provides thorough, proactive, and client-focused representation.

To learn more about how the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell can help defend you against serious criminal charges in White Plains, give us a call now at (914) 810-0510 for a free and confidential case review or book one through the button below.

Book a Call

What Happens After an Arrest in White Plains, NY?

After an arrest, you will generally be fingerprinted and processed by the White Plains Police Department. You may then be held until you are brought before a judge for arraignment or released with a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) directing you to return to White Plains City Court on a future date.

Where Is White Plains City Court?

White Plains City Court is located at 77 Lexington Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601.

If you or a family member has an upcoming criminal court date in White Plains City Court, you can schedule a free consultation with criminal defense lawyer Michael J. McConnell to discuss your options.

What Happens at an arraignment in White Plains, NY?

An arraignment is the first court appearance after an arrest. The judge will generally:

  • Inform you of the charges and your rights
  • Determine whether you will be released, held with bail, or remanded
  • Set the next court date

An arraignment is often a short appearance. If there is an alleged victim, the judge may also issue a temporary order of protection (TOP), which is particularly common in White Plains domestic violence cases.

Will Someone Be Released After Arraignment or Kept in Custody?

Whether someone is released or kept in custody depends on several factors, including the charges, criminal history, and any prior bench warrants or open cases. Even when a person is charged with an offense where bail may be possible, the judge may still have discretion to release the person.

How Can I Help a Friend, Family Member, or Significant Other After They Are Arrested in White Plains, NY?

If someone you care about has been arrested in White Plains, the first priority is to help them get qualified and skilled legal representation as quickly as possible. Contacting a defense attorney before arraignment can give the attorney an opportunity to learn the facts, understand your loved one’s circumstances, and be prepared to make informed arguments regarding release.

Can My Case Be Dismissed If White Plains Police Illegally Stopped or Searched Me?

Possibly. This depends on the specific facts of the case, but an experienced criminal defense lawyer should carefully examine whether the police violated your constitutional rights.

This issue is particularly important in firearms possession and narcotics cases, where the Westchester County District Attorney’s evidence may depend heavily on what police recovered during a stop, frisk, traffic stop, or search.

For example, police generally need reasonable suspicion to conduct a pedestrian stop, and they need additional justification to frisk someone for weapons. Traffic stops and searches of homes, vehicles, and personal belongings are also governed by specific legal rules.

If evidence was obtained unlawfully, a defense attorney may file a motion to suppress asking the court to prevent the prosecution from using that evidence at trial. And if successful, the DA’s case may no longer be able to proceed.

For example, if White Plains police illegally stop and search a vehicle on Hamilton Avenue and recover drugs, successfully suppressing those drugs can often lead to the case being dismissed.

Why Choose Michael J. McConnell as Your White Plains Criminal Defense Lawyer?

When you are facing serious criminal charges, you may be worried about your job, your family, your freedom, or how a conviction could affect your future. Finding the right attorney for your particular type of case and personal preferences is always critical.

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell may be a strong fit if you are facing criminal charges in White Plains involving:

  • Police misconduct, illegal search, or unlawful stop and frisk
  • False or questionable allegations
  • A need for an attorney with prosecutorial experience
  • A desire for clear, direct communication throughout the case
  • A lawyer who puts your interests first and remains focused on results
  • Simple, clear, and transparent fee structures

We are a small-volume practice, which means we prefer to take on fewer cases so that we can dive deep into each case with everything we have.

Our commitment to putting our clients first and going the distance for them is reflected by our 5-star Google Reviews and client testimonials featured on a top legal directory.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Us?

The cost depends on the seriousness and complexity of the case.

Before you hire us, you will receive an easy-to-understand written fee agreement explaining the cost and what our representation includes.

In general:

  • Felonies cost more than misdemeanors
  • Flat-fee arraignments are offered for all misdemeanors and many common felonies
  • Credit cards and other common forms of payment are accepted

Our flat fees are based on the stage of your criminal case, with a set fee for the work involved at each stage. This gives you a clear understanding of what your legal representation will cost as your case moves forward, without the uncertainty of being billed by the hour.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a White Plains Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been arrested in White Plains or is facing criminal charges in Westchester County, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is here to help.

You deserve an attorney who:

  • Regularly communicates with you about your case
  • Diligently reviews the evidence against you
  • Thoroughly prepares for every court appearance
  • Treats you with respect, compassion, and without judgment

If you are looking for a local White Plains criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor, call (914) 810-0510 or sign up for a free case review phone call below.

Sign Up for a Call

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. If you need legal advice, contact a qualified attorney and speak with them privately about your particular situation. Prior results don’t guarantee future outcomes.

This page was last updated on 10/8/26.

Criminal Defense Lawyer in White Plains, NY

Former Prosecutor and Local Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving White Plains, NY

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is a local criminal defense law firm serving White Plains, NY and the surrounding Westchester County area. We handle all levels of felonies and misdemeanors, including primarily gun possession charges, narcotics offenses, domestic violence, assaults, grand larceny, and resisting arrest.

When you hire Michael J. McConnell as your criminal defense attorney, you get a strong advocate with prosecutorial experience who provides thorough, proactive, and client-focused representation.

To learn more about how the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell can help defend you against serious criminal charges in White Plains, give us a call now at (914) 810-0510 for a free and confidential case review or book one through the button below.

Book a Call

What Happens After an Arrest in White Plains, NY?

After an arrest, you will generally be fingerprinted and processed by the White Plains Police Department. You may then be held until you are brought before a judge for arraignment or released with a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) directing you to return to White Plains City Court on a future date.

Where Is White Plains City Court?

White Plains City Court is located at 77 Lexington Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601.

If you or a family member has an upcoming criminal court date in White Plains City Court, you can schedule a free consultation with criminal defense lawyer Michael J. McConnell to discuss your options.

What Happens at an arraignment in White Plains, NY?

An arraignment is the first court appearance after an arrest. The judge will generally:

  • Inform you of the charges and your rights
  • Determine whether you will be released, held with bail, or remanded
  • Set the next court date

An arraignment is often a short appearance. If there is an alleged victim, the judge may also issue a temporary order of protection (TOP), which is particularly common in White Plains domestic violence cases.

Will Someone Be Released After Arraignment or Kept in Custody?

Whether someone is released or kept in custody depends on several factors, including the charges, criminal history, and any prior bench warrants or open cases. Even when a person is charged with an offense where bail may be possible, the judge may still have discretion to release the person.

How Can I Help a Friend, Family Member, or Significant Other After They Are Arrested in White Plains, NY?

If someone you care about has been arrested in White Plains, the first priority is to help them get qualified and skilled legal representation as quickly as possible. Contacting a defense attorney before arraignment can give the attorney an opportunity to learn the facts, understand your loved one’s circumstances, and be prepared to make informed arguments regarding release.

Can My Case Be Dismissed If White Plains Police Illegally Stopped or Searched Me?

Possibly. This depends on the specific facts of the case, but an experienced criminal defense lawyer should carefully examine whether the police violated your constitutional rights.

This issue is particularly important in firearms possession and narcotics cases, where the Westchester County District Attorney’s evidence may depend heavily on what police recovered during a stop, frisk, traffic stop, or search.

For example, police generally need reasonable suspicion to conduct a pedestrian stop, and they need additional justification to frisk someone for weapons. Traffic stops and searches of homes, vehicles, and personal belongings are also governed by specific legal rules.

If evidence was obtained unlawfully, a defense attorney may file a motion to suppress asking the court to prevent the prosecution from using that evidence at trial. And if successful, the DA’s case may no longer be able to proceed.

For example, if White Plains police illegally stop and search a vehicle on Hamilton Avenue and recover drugs, successfully suppressing those drugs can often lead to the case being dismissed.

Why Choose Michael J. McConnell as Your White Plains Criminal Defense Lawyer?

When you are facing serious criminal charges, you may be worried about your job, your family, your freedom, or how a conviction could affect your future. Finding the right attorney for your particular type of case and personal preferences is always critical.

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell may be a strong fit if you are facing criminal charges in White Plains involving:

  • Police misconduct, illegal search, or unlawful stop and frisk
  • False or questionable allegations
  • A need for an attorney with prosecutorial experience
  • A desire for clear, direct communication throughout the case
  • A lawyer who puts your interests first and remains focused on results
  • Simple, clear, and transparent fee structures

We are a small-volume practice, which means we prefer to take on fewer cases so that we can dive deep into each case with everything we have.

Our commitment to putting our clients first and going the distance for them is reflected by our 5-star Google Reviews and client testimonials featured on a top legal directory.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Us?

The cost depends on the seriousness and complexity of the case.

Before you hire us, you will receive an easy-to-understand written fee agreement explaining the cost and what our representation includes.

In general:

  • Felonies cost more than misdemeanors
  • Flat-fee arraignments are offered for all misdemeanors and many common felonies
  • Credit cards and other common forms of payment are accepted

Our flat fees are based on the stage of your criminal case, with a set fee for the work involved at each stage. This gives you a clear understanding of what your legal representation will cost as your case moves forward, without the uncertainty of being billed by the hour.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a White Plains Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been arrested in White Plains or is facing criminal charges in Westchester County, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is here to help.

You deserve an attorney who:

  • Regularly communicates with you about your case
  • Diligently reviews the evidence against you
  • Thoroughly prepares for every court appearance
  • Treats you with respect, compassion, and without judgment

If you are looking for a local White Plains criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor, call (914) 810-0510 or sign up for a free case review phone call below.

Sign Up for a Call

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. If you need legal advice, contact a qualified attorney and speak with them privately about your particular situation. Prior results don’t guarantee future outcomes.

This page was last updated on 10/8/26.