State Crimes

State Crimes in New York

When you are under investigation or accused of a crime in New York, it can be very difficult to sort through all of the charges you may be facing.  New York’s criminal laws are complicated and can be extremely challenging to try to figure out on your own. An experienced team of criminal defense lawyers can give you a detailed explanation of the state’s charges against you, along with the range of potential punishments you may be dealing with. 

In New York, offenses are divided into three primary classes: violations, misdemeanors and felonies.  Violations are the lowest level offenses and are not considered crimes. Violations include offenses such as loitering and disorderly conduct. Because a violation is not a crime, a conviction will not result in a criminal record.  However, a violation conviction in the state of New York can still result in fines and penalties including up to 15 days in jail. Misdemeanor and felony convictions involve more severe offenses. They carry much harsher punishments and a conviction for these crimes will result in a criminal record.

Misdemeanor and Felony Crimes in New York

Misdemeanor crimes in New York are classified into two categories: “Class A” and “Class B.”  Misdemeanors involve a wide range of criminal offenses, such as petit larceny, loitering and issuing a bad check. Class A misdemeanors are more serious than Class B misdemeanors and come with more severe penalties.  For instance, the maximum prison term for a Class A misdemeanor conviction is one year of imprisonment in county jail compared to three months for a Class B misdemeanor.  

Felony charges involve serious crimes such as robbery, grand larceny, rape and murder, and more than one year of imprisonment may be imposed for a conviction.  In New York, felony crimes are broken down into five primary categories, Class A through Class E, with Class A felonies being the most severe.  In addition to substantial prison sentences, individuals convicted of a felony in New York also run the risk of losing certain rights and privileges, including rights to vote, purchase firearms and sit on a jury.  A felony conviction can also seriously affect your employment opportunities and ability to hold certain professional and non-professional licenses.

Our Albany Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Help

Whether your crime involves a Class A felony, a Class B misdemeanor or any crime in between, the attorneys at The Law Office of James E. Tyner, PLLC are well-positioned to take on your case.  We are highly skilled criminal defense professionals who are well recognized throughout the state of New York for crafting powerful criminal defense strategies.  Our lawyers know how to successfully maneuver cases through the criminal justice system to achieve positive outcomes for our clients.  We have devoted our careers to protecting the rights of those charged with crimes and are passionate about all that we do.

The Law Office of James E. Tyner, PLLC offers free legal consultations to individuals facing criminal charges in the state of New York. You can contact our criminal defense law firm 24/7/365 by calling 518-363-6293 or emailing us directly.