Former prosecutor defense for DWI, drug, assault, weapons, and federal charges in Manhattan. Free 24/7 consultation: 646-453-4001.
Spahija Law defends clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges in Manhattan, led by Amel Spahija, a former Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn and Staten Island. The charges we defend include DWI, drug offenses, assault, weapons charges, domestic violence, theft, and federal matters.
Manhattan cases are arraigned at Manhattan Criminal Court, 100 Centre Street, with felonies proceeding in New York County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, at 100 Centre Street and 111 Centre Street.
These are the courts where Manhattan cases are heard. If you are unsure which one your case is in, the court name is printed on your arrest paperwork or desk appearance ticket, and we can confirm it for you.
Manhattan prosecutions often involve extensive video, transit, and financial evidence. Our defense work centers on evidence timelines and suppression, the same way the DA's office builds its cases in reverse.
Read about the former prosecutor advantage and see our case results. Our primary office is in Downtown Brooklyn; see the Brooklyn criminal defense page for the full practice overview.
Spahija Law defends the full range of criminal matters in New York County, from first arrests to indicted felonies. Common cases include DWI and DUI, drug charges, assault charges, theft and larceny, weapons charges, domestic violence allegations and orders of protection. Federal matters are handled separately through our federal criminal defense practice.
The charge level drives almost everything that follows: which court hears the case, what the exposure is, and how much room exists to negotiate. Our guide to felony versus misdemeanor levels in New York explains where those lines fall and how charges get reduced.
Most matters start with either an arrest or an appearance ticket. After processing, the first court appearance is arraignment, where the charges are read and the judge addresses release conditions and any order of protection. Misdemeanor cases generally stay in Manhattan Criminal Court at 100 Centre Street. Felony matters proceed to New York County Supreme Court, Criminal Term at 100 Centre Street.
From there the case runs on discovery and motion practice. Under CPL Article 245 the Manhattan District Attorney must turn over its evidence on a statutory schedule, and under CPL 30.30 the clock on readiness keeps running. Those deadlines are where a lot of leverage lives, and enforcing them is routine defense work rather than a long shot. Our case results include matters resolved on exactly those grounds.
Early involvement matters more than most people expect. Statements get made, evidence gets collected or lost, and offers get anchored in the first weeks. Read what to do in the first 24 hours after an arrest and your rights when police stop you.
Beyond criminal defence, Spahija Law also represents clients in Manhattan on personal injury claims and real estate matters, including closings, contract review and landlord tenant disputes.
Amel Spahija spent his early career as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn and Staten Island, reviewing evidence, screening charges and preparing cases for trial. That experience shapes how a defense gets built: what the prosecution needs to prove, where its file is likely to be weak, and which arguments actually move a case. More on the former prosecutor advantage.
Most misdemeanor matters are heard at Manhattan Criminal Court, 100 Centre Street. Felony cases proceed in New York County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, in the same building complex.
Arraignment commonly occurs within about 24 hours of arrest. Court volume, weekends and holidays can extend that, and desk appearance tickets set a later date instead.
Yes. Federal matters in Manhattan proceed in the Southern District of New York, which runs on different rules and deadlines from state court. See our federal criminal defense page for how those cases differ.
Preserve your paperwork, do not discuss the facts with anyone other than your lawyer, avoid posting about the case, and speak to counsel before arraignment where possible.
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