Serious charges require a serious defense. Here’s how a no-nonsense criminal defense attorney and former NYC prosecutor can fight for you.

If you are facing criminal charges in Queens, don’t wait to speak with a criminal defense lawyer.

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is available to answer your call 24/7 if you’ve been arrested in Queens County, NY—including nights, weekends, and holidays.

When you hire Michael J. McConnell as your criminal defense lawyer, you get a no-nonsense former NYC prosecutor who knows how to see a case from all angles and build a strong defense that is relentless from start to finish.

At the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell, we make things easy for clients to speak with a criminal defense lawyer by offering free consultations on all felony and misdemeanor cases in Queens, NY.

You deserve a strong defense from the start. Fighting back starts now. Schedule a free and confidential consultation with the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell today.

Call 24/7

Cases We Handle

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell handles all levels of felony and misdemeanor cases in Queens County and throughout the surrounding area, including:

  • Assault
  • Child Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
  • Gun Possession (CPW)
  • Grand Larceny
  • Narcotics (felony level)
  • Robbery
  • Sex Crimes (rape, sexual abuse, forcible touching, etc.)

Many of these types of cases are prosecuted very aggressively by the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, which makes it imperative to have a criminal defense attorney who is willing to leave no stone unturned in building a strong and strategic defense.

Book a Call with a Queens Criminal Defense Lawyer

The Benefit of Hiring a Former NYC Prosecutor as Your Queens Criminal Defense Lawyer

One of the top things people facing criminal charges in Queens look for in hiring a criminal defense attorney is someone with a background that includes experience as a prosecutor at one of the city’s local district attorney’s offices.

The reason for this strong preference of clients is that a former prosecutor turned defense lawyer has the unique advantage of being able to see a case from all angles. This can allow defense attorneys who were former NYC prosecutors like Michael J. McConnell to better anticipate how the DA is likely to build their case, which can be a major advantage in preparing a strong defense.

After all, a big part of winning in court is just like sports: when you know your opponent’s next move, you can better anticipate it and then go on the attack. And that’s the biggest advantage criminal defense lawyers who were former prosecutors have.

Our Approach to Payments: Transparency, Clarity, and Simplicity

The cost for any case can vary depending on the nature of the charges and the overall complexity of the case, but the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell will always make sure our clients fully understand what our representation includes and how much it will cost.

Flat Fees

On every case, clients will be told exactly what the fee structure will be and how much the case will cost. We offer flat fees on all misdemeanors and many of the most common felonies we handle, including gun possession cases.

The benefit of a flat fee arrangement is that the client knows exactly how much money the case will cost from the start. With flat fees, there is no hourly billing, which means you don’t have to worry about surprise bills.

Payment Plans

We cannot offer payment plans on every case, but for eligible cases and clients we certainly can if needed.

Generally, a payment plan works best when we are hired as soon as possible after an arrest, or even beforehand if possible. This gives the client more time to make an extended payment plan work.

However, if we are hired in the later stages, such as right before trial, there is not going to be enough time to make a payment plan work. In those cases, the flat fee or retainer will usually need to be paid all at once.

Even when we offer a payment plan, we will still typically require a significant down payment of several thousand dollars. Then the rest of the total fee will be paid offer in smaller increments—usually monthly, biweekly, or weekly depending on the case.

Payment plans can often be a great way to make quality legal representation more affordable and accessible, and we are more than happy to offer them where practicable.

The First 24 Hours After an Arrest in Queens County, NY

If someone you know was arrested in Queens, NY, the period after the arrest can be scary and uncertain. Here is what typically happens:

Arrest Processing at the Local NYPD Precinct

The person who was arrested will be processed by the NYPD at the local police precinct, which will include taking fingerprints, arrest photos, and police reports.

The person arrested should avoid making statements to police without a lawyer present because anything they say can be used against them in court. They have a right to remain silent, which means their silence or refusal to speak with the cops cannot be used against them in court.

Many cases with weak evidence can turn into strong cases for the DA if the police can trick someone into making a statement and then twist their words against them to look guilty even if they are actually innocent. Don’t ever fall for this trap. Speak with a qualified criminal defense lawyer before speaking to the police.

Queens Central Booking

The person arrested will then be brought to Queens Central Booking until their first appearance in Queens Criminal Court located at 125-01 Queens Blvd, Kew Gardens, NY 11415. The criminal court building is directly in between Queens Borough Hall and Maple Grove Park, and the Van Wyck Expressway runs directly behind the court.

Arraignment in Queens Criminal Court

Within 24 hours or so you, the person arrested will have their first court appearance in Queens County Criminal Court. This appearance is called an arraignment.

Arraignments are Public Proceedings

The arraignment is a public proceeding, which means family and friends can attend. Queens Criminal Court has both day and night arraignments, and they are both open to the public.

The Key Purpose of a Criminal Court Arraignment in Queens County Criminal Court

The main purpose of an arraignment is to inform the defendant of their charges and for the judge to decide whether to release the defendant, set bail, or remand them to custody. It is also possible that the judge could issue a temporary order of protection, especially on domestic violence and sexual assault cases.

Factors that Influence Whether Someone Will Be Released or Kept in Custody

Whether someone will be released after their arraignment will mostly depend on the nature of the charges but also their criminal record and bench warrant history.

Having a trusted criminal defense attorney at this stage is critical because it is much easier to fight a case from the outside than when someone is locked up at Rikers.

Additionally, being kept in custody on high bail or being remanded can mean the loss of a job, separation from someone’s children, and many other terrible things.

The Next Steps After an Arraignment in Queens, NY

Regardless of whether the defendant is released or kept in custody following their arraignment, there will be a next court date on some future date.

  • If the case is a misdemeanor, the next step is usually for the DA to file a supporting deposition and serve all discovery.
  • If the case is a felony, the next step is for the DA to present the case to the grand jury to seek an indictment.

There are many things that a good criminal defense attorney can do after an arraignment to begin building a strong defense, including:

  • Conducting their own independent investigation into the facts
  • Speaking with witnesses
  • Thorough interviews and strategy sessions with their client
  • Early contact with the Assistant District Attorney assigned to the case
  • Reviewing carefully all discovery to find gaps in the case and weaknesses in the evidence
  • Legal research to build strong arguments for motions to suppress evidence

All cases don’t follow the same path, but the simple way of understanding it is that cases tend to resolve in one of 3 ways:

  • Dismissal
  • Plea deal
  • Trial (verdict of guilty or not guilty)

Sometimes the outcomes can be a little more nuanced than that, but that’s just a general idea. The key is for the client to always have a clear understanding from their attorney of:

  • what the possible outcomes are
  • what needs to be done to get the best possible result
  • and what the strategy will be if the case goes to trial

At the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell, we dive deep into every case right from the start because we believe that thorough and relentless preparation from day one are the key to success in defending clients from serious criminal charges.

Let’s Build a Strong Defense Together

We believe that good criminal defense requires a collaborative approach between an attorney and their client. That is why at the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell, our clients can expect detailed strategy sessions, frequent case updates, and thorough explanations on what to expect.

So whether you are accused of gun possession, sexual assault, possession of a large quantity of drugs, or any other felony offense in Queens, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is ready to step up to the plate for you and give you the relentless advocacy that you need and truly deserve.

If that is the type of legal representation you are looking for regarding your case in Queens Criminal Court, then make sure you sign up for a free consultation with Michael J. McConnell today.

Page last updated 5/22/26.

Queens Criminal Defense

Serious charges require a serious defense. Here’s how a no-nonsense criminal defense attorney and former NYC prosecutor can fight for you.

If you are facing criminal charges in Queens, don’t wait to speak with a criminal defense lawyer.

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is available to answer your call 24/7 if you’ve been arrested in Queens County, NY—including nights, weekends, and holidays.

When you hire Michael J. McConnell as your criminal defense lawyer, you get a no-nonsense former NYC prosecutor who knows how to see a case from all angles and build a strong defense that is relentless from start to finish.

At the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell, we make things easy for clients to speak with a criminal defense lawyer by offering free consultations on all felony and misdemeanor cases in Queens, NY.

You deserve a strong defense from the start. Fighting back starts now. Schedule a free and confidential consultation with the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell today.

Call 24/7

Cases We Handle

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell handles all levels of felony and misdemeanor cases in Queens County and throughout the surrounding area, including:

  • Assault
  • Child Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
  • Gun Possession (CPW)
  • Grand Larceny
  • Narcotics (felony level)
  • Robbery
  • Sex Crimes (rape, sexual abuse, forcible touching, etc.)

Many of these types of cases are prosecuted very aggressively by the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, which makes it imperative to have a criminal defense attorney who is willing to leave no stone unturned in building a strong and strategic defense.

Book a Call with a Queens Criminal Defense Lawyer

The Benefit of Hiring a Former NYC Prosecutor as Your Queens Criminal Defense Lawyer

One of the top things people facing criminal charges in Queens look for in hiring a criminal defense attorney is someone with a background that includes experience as a prosecutor at one of the city’s local district attorney’s offices.

The reason for this strong preference of clients is that a former prosecutor turned defense lawyer has the unique advantage of being able to see a case from all angles. This can allow defense attorneys who were former NYC prosecutors like Michael J. McConnell to better anticipate how the DA is likely to build their case, which can be a major advantage in preparing a strong defense.

After all, a big part of winning in court is just like sports: when you know your opponent’s next move, you can better anticipate it and then go on the attack. And that’s the biggest advantage criminal defense lawyers who were former prosecutors have.

Our Approach to Payments: Transparency, Clarity, and Simplicity

The cost for any case can vary depending on the nature of the charges and the overall complexity of the case, but the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell will always make sure our clients fully understand what our representation includes and how much it will cost.

Flat Fees

On every case, clients will be told exactly what the fee structure will be and how much the case will cost. We offer flat fees on all misdemeanors and many of the most common felonies we handle, including gun possession cases.

The benefit of a flat fee arrangement is that the client knows exactly how much money the case will cost from the start. With flat fees, there is no hourly billing, which means you don’t have to worry about surprise bills.

Payment Plans

We cannot offer payment plans on every case, but for eligible cases and clients we certainly can if needed.

Generally, a payment plan works best when we are hired as soon as possible after an arrest, or even beforehand if possible. This gives the client more time to make an extended payment plan work.

However, if we are hired in the later stages, such as right before trial, there is not going to be enough time to make a payment plan work. In those cases, the flat fee or retainer will usually need to be paid all at once.

Even when we offer a payment plan, we will still typically require a significant down payment of several thousand dollars. Then the rest of the total fee will be paid offer in smaller increments—usually monthly, biweekly, or weekly depending on the case.

Payment plans can often be a great way to make quality legal representation more affordable and accessible, and we are more than happy to offer them where practicable.

The First 24 Hours After an Arrest in Queens County, NY

If someone you know was arrested in Queens, NY, the period after the arrest can be scary and uncertain. Here is what typically happens:

Arrest Processing at the Local NYPD Precinct

The person who was arrested will be processed by the NYPD at the local police precinct, which will include taking fingerprints, arrest photos, and police reports.

The person arrested should avoid making statements to police without a lawyer present because anything they say can be used against them in court. They have a right to remain silent, which means their silence or refusal to speak with the cops cannot be used against them in court.

Many cases with weak evidence can turn into strong cases for the DA if the police can trick someone into making a statement and then twist their words against them to look guilty even if they are actually innocent. Don’t ever fall for this trap. Speak with a qualified criminal defense lawyer before speaking to the police.

Queens Central Booking

The person arrested will then be brought to Queens Central Booking until their first appearance in Queens Criminal Court located at 125-01 Queens Blvd, Kew Gardens, NY 11415. The criminal court building is directly in between Queens Borough Hall and Maple Grove Park, and the Van Wyck Expressway runs directly behind the court.

Arraignment in Queens Criminal Court

Within 24 hours or so you, the person arrested will have their first court appearance in Queens County Criminal Court. This appearance is called an arraignment.

Arraignments are Public Proceedings

The arraignment is a public proceeding, which means family and friends can attend. Queens Criminal Court has both day and night arraignments, and they are both open to the public.

The Key Purpose of a Criminal Court Arraignment in Queens County Criminal Court

The main purpose of an arraignment is to inform the defendant of their charges and for the judge to decide whether to release the defendant, set bail, or remand them to custody. It is also possible that the judge could issue a temporary order of protection, especially on domestic violence and sexual assault cases.

Factors that Influence Whether Someone Will Be Released or Kept in Custody

Whether someone will be released after their arraignment will mostly depend on the nature of the charges but also their criminal record and bench warrant history.

Having a trusted criminal defense attorney at this stage is critical because it is much easier to fight a case from the outside than when someone is locked up at Rikers.

Additionally, being kept in custody on high bail or being remanded can mean the loss of a job, separation from someone’s children, and many other terrible things.

The Next Steps After an Arraignment in Queens, NY

Regardless of whether the defendant is released or kept in custody following their arraignment, there will be a next court date on some future date.

  • If the case is a misdemeanor, the next step is usually for the DA to file a supporting deposition and serve all discovery.
  • If the case is a felony, the next step is for the DA to present the case to the grand jury to seek an indictment.

There are many things that a good criminal defense attorney can do after an arraignment to begin building a strong defense, including:

  • Conducting their own independent investigation into the facts
  • Speaking with witnesses
  • Thorough interviews and strategy sessions with their client
  • Early contact with the Assistant District Attorney assigned to the case
  • Reviewing carefully all discovery to find gaps in the case and weaknesses in the evidence
  • Legal research to build strong arguments for motions to suppress evidence

All cases don’t follow the same path, but the simple way of understanding it is that cases tend to resolve in one of 3 ways:

  • Dismissal
  • Plea deal
  • Trial (verdict of guilty or not guilty)

Sometimes the outcomes can be a little more nuanced than that, but that’s just a general idea. The key is for the client to always have a clear understanding from their attorney of:

  • what the possible outcomes are
  • what needs to be done to get the best possible result
  • and what the strategy will be if the case goes to trial

At the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell, we dive deep into every case right from the start because we believe that thorough and relentless preparation from day one are the key to success in defending clients from serious criminal charges.

Let’s Build a Strong Defense Together

We believe that good criminal defense requires a collaborative approach between an attorney and their client. That is why at the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell, our clients can expect detailed strategy sessions, frequent case updates, and thorough explanations on what to expect.

So whether you are accused of gun possession, sexual assault, possession of a large quantity of drugs, or any other felony offense in Queens, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is ready to step up to the plate for you and give you the relentless advocacy that you need and truly deserve.

If that is the type of legal representation you are looking for regarding your case in Queens Criminal Court, then make sure you sign up for a free consultation with Michael J. McConnell today.

Page last updated 5/22/26.