Common Criminal Charges in Staten Island: What You Need to Know? 2024

If you are accused of any crime in Staten Island, it is important that you get in touch with a Staten Island criminal lawyer right away. Your criminal defense attorney can review the criminal charges that you are facing and advise you on how to approach the legal process ahead of you.

What Are Common Crimes In Staten Island?

Some of the most common crimes that you might face criminal charges for in Staten Island include the following:

• Drug Offenses: There are a variety of crimes involving drugs that can result in serious criminal penalties, such as possession, manufacturing, and distribution. The exact charges that you might face will vary depending on the controlled substance involved, the amount of the controlled substance involved, and whether there were aggravated factors such as violence involved in the drug crime.
• DUIs: Driving under the influence of mind-altering substances is against the law. Factors like what your blood alcohol content (BAC) was while operating your vehicle, if someone was hurt as a result of your actions, your criminal record, and if there was a minor in your vehicle will play a role in determining the consequences you are facing for your DUI.
• Theft: Stealing another person’s property is against the law, and the penalties you can anticipate for the crime will depend on the worth of the goods you were accused of stealing.
• Homicide: If you are charged with ending the life of another person, you can expect to face criminal charges. The extent of the charges will depend on the facts involved in your situation. For instance, if you unintentionally killed someone while operating your vehicle, your charges will be different than if you are accused of intentionally killing another person.
• Sex Crimes: Any sort of crime involving non-consensual sexual activity is considered a sex crime. For instance, rape, assault, and sexual harassment can all result in criminal charges. The penalties for sex crimes will vary based on the presence of aggravating factors, such as violence and the age of the involved party.If you are charged with any sort of sexual activity involving an individual under the age of eighteen, including possession of child pornography, you can expect to face harsh penalties.
• Fraud: If you are charged with participating in any sort of deceitful activity for your own financial gain, you are being accused of fraud. For example, common types of fraud include fake business transactions and overbilling for healthcare services.

What Are the Penalties for Common Criminal Offenses in Staten Island?

If you commit a crime, it will be considered either a felony or a misdemeanor. The factors that influence the classification include the severity of the crime, your criminal history, and if there were children involved. In general, the charges for misdemeanors and felonies in Staten Island include the following:

Penalties for Misdemeanors

If you are charged with a misdemeanor in Staten Island, it will be considered either Class A, Class B, or unclassified.

• Class A Misdemeanors: If you are charged with a Class A misdemeanor, you can expect to face up to a year in jail and a monetary fine of up to $1,000.
• Class B Misdemeanors: If you are charged with a Class B misdemeanor, you can expect to face up to three months in jail and a monetary fine of up to $500.
• Unclassified Misdemeanors: If your misdemeanor does not fit into the Class A or the Class B category, the penalties that you can expect to face will depend on the type of offense you are convicted of.

Penalties for Felonies

If you are found guilty of a felony offense in New York, your crime will be either considered Class A, B, C, D, or E. These classes vary based on severity and are punished as follows:

• Class A Felonies: Up to life in prison.
• Class B Felonies: Up to 25 years in prison.
• Class C Felonies: Up to 15 years in prison.
• Class D Felonies: Up to seven years in prison.
• Class E Felonies: Up to four years in prison.

In addition to prison time, all of the above felonies will also result in monetary fines that vary based on the circumstances at hand.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Most Common Criminal Offense?

A: There are several different common criminal offenses that can result in harsh penalties. For instance, drug offenses, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, theft, and assault are among some of the common criminal offenses that people are arrested for. If you are facing criminal charges, you need to get in touch with a criminal defense attorney as soon as you can. Your lawyer can fight for your innocence or for a minimal sentence, depending on your situation.

Q: What Crimes Have No Statute of Limitations in New York?

A: Many crimes have a statute of limitations in New York, which means you can only report them within a specific window of time after the crime occurred or it was discovered. However, there are some crimes that do not have a statute of limitations, including murder, terrorism, and certain other Class A felonies, such as sexual assault involving a child. If you are confused about whether or not a crime has a statute of limitations, your criminal lawyer can advise you.

Q: Which Crime Is Generally Treated Most Seriously?

A: Crimes that are considered the most serious are felony convictions. If you are found guilty of a Class A felony in New York, you can expect to face some of the most serious punishments, including thousands of dollars in fines and up to a life sentence in prison. Crimes that are considered Class A felonies include murder, treason, and certain drug trafficking offenses.

Q: What Is the Least Serious Crime?

A: Crimes that are classified as misdemeanors are typically considered to be the “least serious crimes.” Specifically, in New York, your misdemeanor charge will either be considered Class A, Class B, or unclassified. Class B misdemeanors are generally considered to be the least serious criminal charges. If you are found guilty of a Class B misdemeanor, you can expect to face up to three months in jail. These misdemeanors include actions like harassment or possession of some controlled substances.

Reach Out to a Staten Island Criminal Defense Attorney

After being met with charges for any type of crime in Staten Island, you should not underestimate the power of hiring an experienced criminal lawyer to represent you. Reach out to our team at The Vitaliano Law Firm to find out more about how we can be your advocate during this time.