We Know How To Win Cases
By Spodek Law Group
July 17, 2023Staten Island Gun Crimes Lawyer – My Take
Hey there! My name’s Alex and I’m just a regular dude trying to help people out. I ain’t no fancy lawyer, but I’ve done some research on Staten Island gun crimes and figured I’d share what I learned. I know getting arrested is scary and confusing, so I wanted to break things down in simple words to help folks going through this mess. Hopefully this article helps you out a bit!
Gun Laws in NY Are No Joke
First thing ya gotta know is that New York gun laws are super strict, especially compared to other states. Even having a small amount of ammo or the wrong permit can get you slapped with a felony charge. Crazy right? There’s all sorts of banned guns and magazines that are totally legal in other places, but will land you in hot water here. The cops and courts take weapons charges real seriously.
Common Gun Crimes Charges
Some of the main gun crimes I see people get charged with in Staten Island are:
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon – This is having an illegal gun, banned ammo, too many guns, or a loaded gun without the right permit. There’s different levels based on how bad it is.
- Criminal Sale of a Firearm – Selling or giving guns illegally without doing background checks and paperwork.
- Criminal Purchase of a Weapon – Buying a gun in an illegal way.
- Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds – Having any gun near a school is a big no-no.
- Reckless Endangerment – Doing something super dangerous with a weapon.
Like I said, they don’t play around with this stuff! Even if it was an honest mistake, the DA will come down hard on weapons charges.
Penalties Are Rough
The penalties for getting convicted of gun crimes are no joke. Even low level misdemeanors can hurt you bad. Felony convictions stay on your record for life and can mean years in prison. You’ll lose gun rights, have trouble getting jobs, and all sorts of other problems. Some common punishments include:
- Years in prison
- Major fines up to $100,000
- Probation for several years
- Losing your guns forever
- Banned from owning guns in the future
- Hard time finding a job
- Losing custody of your kids
Like I said, it’s some real bad news. Because the penalties are so high, you gotta fight these charges hard. That’s why getting a great lawyer is a must!
Getting Arrested Ain’t Fun
I’ve seen people go through getting arrested for gun crimes, and it ain’t pretty. Usually it goes down like this:
- Cops raid your home or pull you over and find guns
- You get cuffed and hauled down to the precinct
- They process you and take your mugshots
- You get put in a cell until arraignment
- At arraignment, they formally charge you and set bail
- If you can’t pay bail, you stay locked up waiting for trial
It’s scary, humiliating, and confusing. They try to pressure you into talking without a lawyer. Don’t fall for it! Just politely say you won’t answer questions without your attorney. The cops are allowed to lie to try to get info.
Finding the Right Lawyer Matters
Because gun charges are so serious, having the right lawyer makes a huge difference. A bad lawyer could cost you years of freedom. You want someone with experience winning these kinds of cases. Things to look for include:
- Knowledge of NY gun laws – They should know the complex laws inside out.
- Experience with gun crime cases – Check their track record and client reviews.
- Aggressive negotiation skills – They’ll fight the DA hard to get charges dropped or reduced.
- Trial experience – If they can’t win a plea deal, they should be ready to win in court.
- Reasonable fees – This shouldn’t bankrupt you. Make sure they offer payment plans.
Take time to research lawyers and find the best one for your case. This decision is too important to rush. And don’t just pick the cheapest option – you get what you pay for.
Possible Defenses That Could Help
If you’re being wrongfully charged, a good lawyer can raise defenses to get the charges tossed. Here are some examples that could work:
- Illegal search – If cops didn’t have proper warrants, evidence may be thrown out.
- Self-defense – If the weapon was for protection against a real threat, you may not be guilty.
- Lack of knowledge – If you didn’t know a gun was illegal or present, you may have a case.
- Entrapment – If cops manipulated you into committing a crime, the charges could get dropped.
- Mistaken identity – If you were wrongly identified, the case should be dismissed.
A skilled lawyer will investigate every angle of your case to build the strongest defense. Don’t lose hope if you’re innocent!
Take Things Step By Step
I know getting charged with gun crimes feels overwhelming, but don’t panic! Just take it one step at a time. Focus on finding a great lawyer, listening to their advice, and letting them handle the hard stuff. With an experienced attorney on your side, you’ve got a fighting chance. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions along the way so you understand what’s happening. Most importantly, stay positive! People make it through these situations everyday. Stay strong and keep the faith that things will work out for you too. You got this!
