After you have been charged with a crime, the first and most critical decision you must make is who you choose to defend and vigorously protect your legal rights.

Having a skilled and qualified attorney on your side can mean the difference between a lengthy prison sentence and reduced or dismissed charges. Based in the heart of midtown Manhattan and with offices in upstate New York, Fort Lauderdale, FL and West Palm Beach, FL, the criminal defense practice group of McLaughlin & Stern, LLP can provide you with criminal defense attorneys who have over 30 years of courtroom experience and proven results defending the constitutional rights and civil liberties of clients facing both state and federal criminal charges.

Court Experience You Can Rely On
The New York criminal defense practice group of McLaughlin & Stern, LLP has extensive experience in both federal and state court procedure and trials. Michael B. Cohen, the managing partner of McLaughlin & Stern’s criminal defense practice group, began his career as an Assistant State Prosecutor and later served as an Assistant United States Attorney before becoming appointed as Assistant Attorney General. As a result of his lifelong career as a state and federal prosecutor, Mr. Cohen knows first-hand how the prosecution will likely shape their case and argument and the best way to formulate a calculated and successful defense strategy. With an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review RatingSM by Martindale-Hubbell®, a distinction held by only a small percentage of all lawyers, Mr. Cohen has successfully represented clients accused of a litany of criminal charges – including white collar offenses, gun and weapons possession, drug trafficking and possession, murder and other complex state and federal charges.

Paul H. Levinson, a former Assistant District Attorney who served as a Supervising Senior Trial Attorney in the Kings County (Brooklyn) District Attorney’s Office, with over 3 decades of criminal law experience, will supervise the day-to-day New York criminal practice.

Whether you are facing a potential life sentence or are being charged with a much less serious offense, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Levinson and the other criminal defense lawyers at McLaughlin & Stern, LLP will work tirelessly to protect your legal rights and make sure you receive the highest caliber of representation.
Criminal Law In New York

The Criminal Defense Division of McLaughlin & Stern, LLP handles all types of cases and clients throughout the New York metropolitan area, including:
•Criminal Investigations◦White Collar Criminal Offenses
◦State and Federal Drug Charges
◦Gun and Weapons Possession
◦DUI/DWI

•Grand Jury Investigations
•Petitions To Vacate Guilty Pleas
•Motion Hearings
•Extradition Proceedings
•Jury Trials
•Arraignment/Bail Hearings
•Sentencing And Probation
•Appeals
•Probation

The criminal defense practice group of McLaughlin & Stern, LLP concentrates in these areas of criminal defense, along with many others.


Criminal Investigations And Grand Jury Practice

Criminal investigations can be initiated by, or start independently of a Grand Jury. A Grand Jury is different in many respects from a jury at a trial. The Grand Jury is composed of 16 – 23 individuals who will only hear evidence presented by the prosecutor and make a determination whether the evidence presented warrants the initiation of a criminal investigation. Unlike a jury trial, a Grand Jury does not have the benefit of hearing arguments from both sides and can often times get a slanted view of the facts. Throughout their more than 30 years of experience handling criminal matters, Mr. Cohen and Mr. Levinson have assisted numerous individuals who have been served with Grand Jury subpoenas and called to testify before a Grand Jury in a criminal proceeding. It is critical for those individuals to seek the advice of a seasoned legal professional in order to secure immunity from prosecution and know when and how to assert their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The experienced attorneys in the criminal defense practice group of McLaughlin & Stern, LLP can provide you with such advice during one of the most critical initial stages of the criminal investigation.

White Collar Criminal Offenses

You have worked tirelessly your entire life, earned professional degrees, built a successful practice and developed a business reputation that you are proud of. Now, in the blink of an eye your entire livelihood and that of your family is put on the line by an accusation of white collar criminal misconduct. As you have done all your life, you must now make yet another calculated and important professional decision, who to choose as your defense attorney. As a former Assistant United States Attorney as well as a former State prosecutor, Mr. Cohen is well aware of the prosecutorial strategies that are employed in white collar cases. Mr. Cohen was assigned to the Fraud and Public Corruption section of his United States Attorney's office during his tenure there and he prosecuted a multitude of white collar criminal offenses. Mr. Cohen has defended and tried these same types of cases since he left the government over the course of his thirty-six year career as a trial lawyer. He is thoroughly familiar with all sides of such cases and his great experience can only benefit you and your family.

Just like you, we are also professionals and have a reputation to uphold. Rest assured that no matter what type of white collar criminal offense you are facing, Mr. Cohen and the other skilled attorneys in the criminal defense practice group of McLaughlin & Stern, LLP will give your case the undivided attention and experience it requires.

State and Federal Drug Charges

Drug offenses can run the gambit from minor possession to federal trafficking charges, and no matter where your charge falls on that spectrum, the prospect of a permanent criminal record or a lengthy incarceration should be on the forefront of your mind. However, you are not without hope in the overzealous and often times misunderstood world of drug prosecution. There are many defenses available to individuals charged with drug offenses. The criminal defense lawyers of McLaughlin & Stern, LLP are skilled in highlighting aggressive, intrusive and unwarranted police search tactics. Additionally, our attorneys have successfully argued that the narcotics or controlled substances were not in fact in our clients “possession” or that our clients lacked the requisite “intent” to be charged with distribution as those terms are defined under the New York Penal Law. There are many other potential defenses that are available to individuals charged with drug offenses. A quick call to one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys can reveal what potential defenses and options are available to you.

Gun and Weapons Possession

New York undoubtedly has some of the strictest gun and weapons possession laws in the country. The cryptic and frequently revised language of the statutes can confuse even a seasoned gun and weapons expert. Additionally, mandatory minimum sentences for first time offenders make such criminal charges intimidatingly serious. The experienced attorneys in the criminal defense practice group of McLaughlin & Stern, LLP can walk you through this frightening process and potentially help you avoid an otherwise mandatory prison sentence. If you have been charged with a gun or weapons crime in New York, contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at McLaughlin & Stern, LLP to discuss your rights and options.

DUI/DWI

Driving under the influence is taken as a very serious offense in New York State, one that has the potential to cost you thousands of dollars in fines, ruin your professional livelihood or even put you away for a mandatory minimum prison sentence. Too often, attorneys take the easy road and suggest that their clients “plead out” to a lesser offense. While this is fine if an individual is ok with a quick fix to their DUI/DWI problem, but for those people whose vehicle is their way of life, a quick fix, which often carries with it the suspension or revocation of your license is just not an option. That is why you need a lawyer who will fight tooth and nail to have your charge dismissed. While we do not make any guarantees regarding the specific outcome or disposition of your case, we can promise that the experienced attorneys in the criminal defense practice group of McLaughlin & Stern, LLP will argue every angle to see to it that your reputation and livelihood remain intact and unscathed