Westchester County Gun Crime Lawyers
A weapons charge in New York can turn a single decision, sometimes made out of fear, ignorance of the law, or simple bad timing, into a felony with life-altering consequences.
New York's gun laws are among the strictest in the country, and even technical violations can carry mandatory minimum sentences. Portale Randazzo LLP has experienced gun crime lawyers who provide the kind of aggressive defense these cases demand, from arraignment through resolution, for clients throughout Westchester County.
Call today at (914) 875-2065 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
Defending Against Criminal Possession of a Weapon
Criminal possession of a weapon charges in Westchester County often hinge on technical legal distinctions that most people never encounter until they are facing one. New York law distinguishes sharply between possession in the first, second, third, and fourth degrees, with severity driven by factors like prior convictions, the type of weapon, and intent.
A charge can also turn on whether possession was actual or constructive, meaning the weapon does not need to be on your person for prosecutors to allege you possessed it.
We scrutinize how the weapon was discovered, whether the search that led to its discovery was constitutional, and whether the prosecution can actually prove knowing possession beyond a reasonable doubt.
In Westchester County, where local precincts and the County Police Department frequently coordinate weapons enforcement, procedural missteps during a stop or search are common, and they can be the foundation of a strong defense.
Representative Firearm and Weapons Defense Results
Our attorneys have over 150 years of combined trial experience, and with a former prosecutor on our team, we have excellent insight into how these cases are developed and then presented.
That experience and knowledge have helped us get results like these:
Billboard Recording Artist L'il Vicious
Billboard No. 1 recording artist L'il Vicious was a passenger in a Mercedes AMG leaving the Ruff Ryders recording studio in Yonkers when two white Yonkers police officers searched the two Black men and recovered a loaded firearm from our client's pants.
During the suppression hearing, attorneys Richard Portale and Chad Mair successfully demonstrated that the search violated our client's Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. The court found portions of the officers' testimony lacked credibility, suppressed the firearm, and ordered our client's release.
Illegal Stop-and-Frisk Leads to Suppressed Firearm
Our client was accused of selling marijuana when plainclothes street crime detectives stopped him, pushed him against a wall, and conducted a weapons frisk that uncovered a loaded handgun. Through cross-examination, Attorney Richard Portale established that the detective was not actually concerned for his safety when conducting the search. The court suppressed the firearm, and our client was released.
Not Guilty Verdict in Loaded Firearm Trial
Our client was indicted on charges of possessing a loaded firearm and related offenses after police recovered a handgun from beneath the seat of a vehicle. Attorney Richard Portale took the case to trial and secured a Not Guilty verdict on the firearm charges.
Speedy Trial Dismissal of AR-15 Charges
After months of strategic pretrial litigation, our attorneys obtained a dismissal on speedy trial grounds for a client charged with possessing a loaded AR-15 in the Bronx.
Mount Vernon Shooting Charges Dismissed
Our client faced serious criminal charges stemming from an alleged shooting at Club "In Time" in Mount Vernon. Our attorneys secured the dismissal of all criminal charges.
Fortune 100 Executive's Firearm Charges Dismissed
A global pioneer in the data privacy field, working for a Fortune 100 company, relocated to New York City with his husband, but failed to register his handgun after moving. After prior counsel was unsuccessful at the suppression stage and the case was headed for trial, our firm was retained. Within months, we secured the dismissal of all firearm charges without the need for a trial.
A Gun Charge Doesn't Have to Define Your Future
New York's weapons laws are tough, but a charge is not a conviction, and the right defense can make an enormous difference. Portale Randazzo LLP offers virtual consultations and is available 24/7 so you can discuss your case with a gun crimes lawyer promptly and privately.
Located in the heart of the White Plains business district, right off the I-287 corridor, our office offers convenient proximity to the Westchester County Court complex and the federal courthouse.
Call (914) 875-2065 today. We serve the English and Spanish-speaking communities. Our past testimonials give you an idea of the kind of hard work you can expect.
