Brooklyn Criminal Lawyer
David B. Epstein
If you have been accused of a crime, the decisions you make now can literally affect the rest of your life. The strength of your defense should be assessed by an attorney who fully understands the unique facts of your case and who knows how the law applies to your circumstances. Only then can you make the critical decisions that will protect your future.
As an experienced Brooklyn Criminal Lawyer, I am both a skilled negotiator and a successful trial attorney. I place a tremendous premium on client communication and confidentiality, and maintaining the relationships I develop with clients and their families is my top priority. I understand that matters surrounding criminal defense are traumatic and stressful, and I strive to provide a comfortable yet professional atmosphere, meeting personally with each client to deliver expert legal services.
When you contact my office, rest assured that you will get the services of a dedicated Brooklyn Criminal Lawyer with a great deal of expertise and an outstanding record of obtaining favorable results for clients throughout New York City in the following areas:
- Drug and Narcotics Crimes
- Domestic Violence
- Felony Crimes
- Misdemeanors
- White Collar Crime
- Sex Crimes
- Traffic Offenses
- Drunk Driving/DUI
- Juvenile Law
- Largest theft case in the history of Macy’s in New York Supreme Court - ACQUITTAL
- Double murder case in Brooklyn - ACQUITTAL
- Murder charges against 54 year old grandfather (national media coverage) - ACQUITTAL
Practice Areas and Legal Definitions
Domestic Violence:
Domestic violence is any physical, emotional, sexual or other violence that takes place between people who may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating. Domestic violence can be criminal and include physical assault: hitting, pushing and shoving, etc., sexual abuse: unwanted or forced sexual activity, and stalking. Domestic violence charges can have a serious impact on your life.
Felony Crimes:
Felony Crimes involve drug and narcotics charges, arson, burglary, armed robbery, murder and/or attempted murder, rape and/or sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated assault and battery. A felony conviction is a serious matter that can result in a substantial state prison sentence and the potential loss of certain privileges and Constitutional rights of U.S. citizenship, such as the right to possess a firearm or the right to vote.
Misdemeanors:
Misdemeanors are more serious than petty offenses, but much less serious than felonies. Misdemeanors typically result in imposition of such punishments as a fine or a jail sentence not exceeding a year. If a jail sentence is imposed, it is served at a local, city or county jail rather than a state or federal prison (penitentiary). In many jurisdictions and in certain types of cases defendants who can't afford an attorney are not entitled to a court-appointed attorney in a misdemeanor case. Unlike felonies, misdemeanors are usually handled by special courts with abbreviated procedures, such as a city court or municipal court.
DUI/Driving Under the Influence:
"DUI" stands for Driving under the Influence and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, a DUI conviction stays on a DMV record for several years, it typically results in higher insurance premiums, and an offender may become ineligible for credit. Plus, a DUI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities.
However, if someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving accident, it is possible the defendant will be charged with a felony (and if the victim dies, the driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter). Further, a DUI conviction will likely be raised to a felony if it is the driver's fourth DUI offense or the driver has had a prior felony DUI offense within 10 years of the new charge.
White Collar Crimes:
High-tech professionals, corporate executives and clergy who are criminally charged for offenses such as corporate theft, counterfeiting, embezzlement, forgery, hacking, fraud, tax evasion or bad checks are often referred to as "white collar" offenders and are prosecuted for white collar crimes. In some cases, first-time offenders are convicted and sent to prison, even with no prior criminal history. An arrest and conviction for one of these crimes can have a serious impact on your life.
Juvenile Delinquency:
Delinquency is a legal term for criminal behavior carried out by a juvenile. Delinquent behavior is divided into two categories: status offenses and delinquency offenses. Status offenses are those acts which would not be considered offenses if committed by an adult, such as school truancy, running away from home, alcohol possession or use, or curfew violations. Juvenile Delinquency offenses involve destruction or theft of property, commission of violent crimes against persons, illegal weapon possession, or the possession or sale of illegal drugs.
Juvenile Court:
Juvenile court is unique and should not be treated as if it were adult court for young clients. While the substantive criminal law is the same in juvenile and adult court, the procedures and sentencing law are substantially different. The consequences of a misstep by an attorney inexperienced in juvenile matters can be devastating. For example, contrary to what many parents believe, a juvenile conviction is not removed from a child's record when he or she turns 18.
Despite the rehabilitative focus of juvenile court, juvenile convictions are counted as criminal history in future cases. They also remain on state criminal records databases and may affect a young person's ability to enter college, obtain employment, financial aid, a driver's license or join the military. Additionally, juvenile convictions can result in commitment to a juvenile detention facility or institution for periods ranging from days to months and even years. Worse, in some cases, a child may end up being prosecuted in adult court where the punishment is even more severe.
Appellate and Post Conviction:
In an appeal, an appellate court reviews the record of the pre-trial and trial proceedings for legal errors. The record includes the court file, the court reporter's transcript and the evidence and exhibits introduced in the trial court. In general, an appellate court does not consider information that is not contained in the record.
A post-conviction petition is the general name for what is called a "collateral attack" on a conviction. In federal court, they are called habeas corpus petitions. By using a post-conviction petition, a defendant generally can bring evidence before the reviewing court that was not part of the record on appeal, and in this way raise issues that would otherwise not be reviewed.
Sex Crimes:
Sex crimes can include such charges as: Child Abuse, Child Pornography, Date Rape, Failure to register (as a Sex Offender), Indecent Exposure, Internet Porn, Lewd Conduct, Marital Rape, Molestation, Obscenity, Pedophilia, Pornography, Prostitution, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Sodomy and Statutory Rape. Many sex crimes are considered felonies and require convicted defendants to continually register themselves as publicly recognized sex offenders with the local and state authorities where they live and work. Charges of sexual misconduct carry extremely serious penalties and these crimes are commonly punished more severely than any other crime except murder. Sexual misconduct is seldom witnessed by anyone other than the accuser and accused and the risk of conviction of an innocent person is drastically higher in these cases.
Drugs and Narcotics Charges:
Drugs and Narcotics laws have tried to keep up with the changing perceptions and real dangers of substance abuse. By 1970, over 55 federal drug laws and countless state laws specified a variety of punitive measures, including life imprisonment and even the death penalty. To clarify the situation, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 repealed, replaced, or updated all previous federal laws concerned with narcotics and all other dangerous drugs.
Most states have laws that give different treatment to possession of different categories of drugs (i.e. prescription drugs, marijuana, crystal methamphetamine), and also make a distinction in the offense charged as to whether a small amount of the drug was found with the defendant (personal use) or a larger amount (intent to sell or distribute, trafficking). A conviction on a drug charge of any magnitude, even a small amount of marijuana, can seriously affect your present and future employment chances, your education, your reputation and your freedom.
Traffic Crimes:
Traffic crimes are specifically addressed in state statutes. The complex body of law that regulates the operation of motor vehicles on the streets and highways can be difficult to interpret and apply. Examples of traffic crimes include reckless driving, aggressive driving, drag racing, and driving with a suspended license.
If you or someone you know needs the counsel of an experienced Brooklyn Criminal Lawyer, call David B. Epstein today at 866-784-2299, or use the contact form provided on this site to schedule your initial consultation.
Professional Profile
If you or someone you know needs the counsel of an experienced Brooklyn Criminal Lawyer, call David B. Epstein today at 866-784-2299, or use the contact form provided on this site to schedule your initial consultation.
ADDRESS OF FIRM:
Epstein & Conroy
410 Myrtle Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11205
Phone: 866-784-2299
Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM
MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:
David Epstein
I am a full service criminal defense lawyer, and have been providing criminal defense solutions for more than 16 years. Hundreds of clients with criminal charges in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens turn to me because I am well-trusted throughout the community. I will be diligent and thorough in my research of your case, clearing your criminal record whenever possible.
EDUCATION:
- Michigan State University, B.A., cum laude, 1984
- George Washington University, J.D., 1989
COURTS ADMITTED:
- New York
- U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
- Brooklyn Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- New York Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Internal affairs: How grudges, old loyalties, personality conflicts led to union vote against Esserman (The Providence Journal)
It was a typical union meeting, second Tuesday of the month, shots and beers in the old hall in a rundown Providence neighborhood. - Judicial candidate stumps in area (The Daily & Sunday Review)
TOWANDA — During a visit to Bradford County on Wednesday, Democrat Anne E. Lazarus, who is running for a judgeship on the Pennsylvania Superior Court, discussed her views on abortion, the right to bear arms, and the death penalty. - Learning From the Madoff Case (New York Times)
To the Editor:. - PLEA DEAL COULD SET 'PERV' FREE THIS YEAR (New York Post)
A pervert who faced 50 years in jail for having sex with two boys he'd lured to his Brooklyn home could be freed as early as this year. Brooklyn Supreme Court judge Martin Murphy today ordered Stefan Colmer jailed for between 2-1/3 and seven years... - JET SKI TRAGEDY HAUNTS TEEN PAL (New York Post)
A Brooklyn teen who was cleared of criminal charges after killing a friend in a Jet Ski crash in Mill Basin said the tragedy continues to haunt him three years later. In his first interview since his arrest, Aristotle Plagianakos said he was so... - International Forecaster June 2009 (#8) - Gold, Silver, Economy + More (GoldSeek.com)
The following are some snippets from the most recent issue of the International Forecaster. For the full 29 page issue, please see subscription information below. - Eye on Lancaster (Lancaster Online)
This historic town, where America's founding fathers plotted during the Revolution and Milton Hershey later crafted his first chocolates, now boasts another distinction.It may become the nation's most closely watched small city.Approximately 165 closed-circuit TV cameras soon will provide li... - Bloomberg's Greatest Foe Living on the Streets [The Homeless] (Gawker)
Christopher X Brodeur, the kind of inspiring lunatic and perpetual media critic and NYC mayoral candidate who was news around here back in aught-five or so, is now homeless. Can he crash on your... - Massachusetts Fund Manager Pleads Guilty to Fraud (New York Times)
A 65-year-old Massachusetts investment manager pleaded guilty to securities fraud for running a Ponzi scheme that cost 70 investors, many from Massachusetts, about $9 million. - Identity Theft Gold Mine Left On Brooklyn Street (Gothamist)
A Brooklyn resident walking his dogs on Atlantic Avenue in Boerum Hill found files containing the personal information—including Social Security numbers and other confidential information—of hundreds of people. Luckily, he called WABC 7 Eyewitness News ; Nat Hendricks explained, "The first one, I saw a person's name and address and date of birth, social security number and I closed the file." ...
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