Queens Criminal Defense Attorney

Queens Criminal Defense Attorney Cody Warner represents New Yorkers in all five boroughs of New York City, including Queens. He uses his knowledge of the New York City criminal justice system to help his clients get great results. 

Queens Is The Largest of the Five Boroughs

Located on the far western end of Long Island, Queens County covers 178 square miles, 39% of which is water. Approximately 2.5 million New Yorkers call Queens home, making it the second most populated borough in New York City, just behind Brooklyn. Racially and ethnically diverse, Queens has dozens of unique neighborhoods with their own individual identities.  

Queens also has one of the most diverse economies in the area. Both JFK and LaGuardia airports are located in Queens. Health care, retail, manufacturing, construction, and film are also prominent industries. Queens is home to the New York Mets and the US Open tennis tournament. 

About Crime in Queens

With so many people, Queens sees its fair share of crime. The New York City Police Department has divided Queens into two sections for purposes of tracking crime statistics, Queens North and Queens South

Crime in Queens North

Queens North has seen an increase in all categories of major crimes except murder over the past two years. This holds true for the past year-to-date statistics as well. In 2021, the following crimes were reported in Queens North: 

  • 30 cases of murder, a decline of 6.2% over the last two years
  • 174 cases of rape, an increase of 46.8% over the last two years
  • 1,214 cases of robbery, an increase of 43% over the last two years
  • 2,022 cases of assault, an increase of 36.8% over the last two years
  • 1,729 cases of burglary, an increase of 8.6% over the last two years
  • 5,732 cases of theft, an increase of 77.1% over the last two years
  • 1,370 cases of grand theft auto, an increase of 72.7% over the last two years

Queens North has seen double-digit increases in every category of major crimes except murder and burglary. Theft crimes saw the largest rise in the last year. 

Crimes in Queens South

Queens South has seen a similar increase in crime in recent years. For 2021, Queens South reported the following crimes: 

  • 24 cases of murder, a decline of 16.7% over the last two years
  • 83 cases of rape, an increase of 34.3% over the last two years
  • 493 cases of robbery, an increase of 14.8% over the last two years
  • 1,100 cases of assault, an increase of 15% over the last two years
  • 427 cases of burglary, a decrease of 7% over the last two years
  • 1,130 cases of theft, an increase of 21.6% over the last two years
  • 463 cases of grand theft auto, an increase of 35.8% over the last two years

Queens South sees less crime than Queens North and similarly has seen less dramatic increases over the past two years. And while both sections have seen decreases in murder, Queens South has also seen a decrease in the number of burglaries. Unfortunately, the decrease in the number of burglaries in the two-year average appears to be temporary, as burglaries year-to-date for 2022 appear to be on the rise. 

Whether you are in Queens North or Queens South, the increase in crime rates means that the police are looking to make arrests, and people may get caught up in the criminal justice system. It can be very intimidating to face criminal charges, especially with escalating crime rates and prosecutors who are pressured to be tough on crime. A Queens criminal defense attorney can protect you from being just another defendant in a clogged criminal justice system. 

Queens Criminal Defense Attorney Cody Warner Outlines Your Next Steps After an Arrest 

If you are reading this after getting out of jail, what you do in the next few hours or days will be critical for your case. Here are the tips that Cody gives his clients to get their cases headed in the right direction: 

  • Call a Queens criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you hire a lawyer of your choice, the sooner they can begin building your defense. Your most valuable asset is time, and the more time that you can devote to preparing your case, the better your chances of securing a favorable outcome. Make sure you put your lawyer’s contact information into your phone, and keep your lawyer’s business card in your wallet so that it is always on you. 
  • Write down what happened. Take some time to make detailed notes about the incident, your arrest, and the time you spent in jail. You want to provide as much detail as possible, including the date, time, and names of any witnesses or other people involved, including police officers. Also, be sure to include the physical descriptions of anyone who may have been involved in case you misheard their names. Do not share this information with anyone but your lawyer.
  • Refrain from posting on social media. Anything you put on social media can be used against you. Even seemingly harmless posts can be used to cast doubt on your version of events. Rather than worry about what impact it may have on your case, it is better not to post anything at all. 
  • Do not discuss your case with anyone but your lawyer. Anyone you talk to about your case becomes a potential witness, whereas anything you say to a lawyer is protected by attorney-client privilege. Also, do not discuss your conversations with your lawyer with anyone else, as this may constitute a waiver of the attorney-client privilege. Once waived, it opens the door for the prosecution to get information they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. 
  • Do not contact witnesses. Any attempt to communicate with witnesses may be construed by the prosecution as an attempt to influence their testimony. 
  • Stay out of trouble. Getting rearrested can jeopardize potential plea agreements and enhance the potential penalties you face. As a result, do not associate with anyone who is inclined to break the law and avoid situations where, if caught, you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If you have been charged with a crime, a Queens criminal defense lawyer can assess your case to develop a strategic defense.

Where is the Queens Criminal Court?

The Queens County Criminal Court and Summons Part is located near Hoover Avenue and 82nd Avenue at 125-01 Queens Boulevard. 

How Do I Get to Queens Criminal Court?

If you are taking public transportation, Queens criminal court is accessible by both bus and train:

  • Via train, take the E or F train to the Union Turnpike Station. Then it’s an 8 mile walk to the courthouse, just under half a mile. 
  • If you are traveling by bus, the Q60, Q37, Q74, and Q46 buses all have stops near the courthouse. 

Queens Criminal Court Contacts

If you need to call the court, the pertinent contact information should be included on the paperwork you received from the court. In case you do not have your paperwork handy, here are some numbers for your reference: 

  • General Information: 718-298-0792
  • Criminal Court Clerk’s Office: 718-298-0888
  • Summons Clerk’s Office: 718-298-0792
  • Supreme Court Chief Clerk: 718-298-1408
  • Arraignments: 718-298-0736
  • Central Booking: 718-268-4523
  • Fax number for Arraignments: 718-520-7251

It is common for defendants to be unsure who to call, and court personnel are overworked and therefore unable to provide the help you need. If you have questions about your case, a Queens criminal defense attorney can help. 

Get Help from Queens Criminal Defense Lawyer Cody Warner

Cody has helped thousands of defendants put their charges behind them. Whether you are facing a minor misdemeanor or a serious, violent felony, he can provide the strategic legal representation you need. Call or email Cody today to schedule a free consultation.