Former prosecutor defense for DWI, drug, assault, weapons, and federal charges in Staten Island. Free 24/7 consultation: 646-453-4001.
Spahija Law defends clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges in Staten Island, 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.
Staten Island cases are arraigned at Richmond County Criminal Court, 26 Central Avenue, with felonies proceeding in Richmond County Supreme Court at the same complex in St. George.
These are the courts where Staten Island 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.
Amel Spahija served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Richmond County District Attorney's Office. He prosecuted cases in these exact courtrooms. That is not general experience. It is direct, local knowledge of how Staten Island cases get charged, negotiated, and tried.
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 Richmond 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 Staten Island Criminal Court at 67 Targee Street. Felony matters proceed to Richmond County Supreme Court at 26 Central Avenue.
From there the case runs on discovery and motion practice. Under CPL Article 245 the Richmond County 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 Staten Island 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.
Misdemeanor matters are generally heard at Staten Island Criminal Court, 67 Targee Street. Felony cases proceed in Richmond County Supreme Court at 26 Central Avenue.
Amel Spahija served as an Assistant District Attorney in Richmond County as well as Kings County. That means direct familiarity with how the office evaluates charges, handles discovery and approaches plea discussions.
Arraignment commonly occurs within about 24 hours, though weekends, holidays and volume can delay it. Desk appearance tickets set a later court date instead.
Hold on to every document you were given, avoid discussing the case with anyone but your lawyer, keep it off social media, and involve counsel before arraignment where possible.
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