(516) 972-1212

Attorney for First Time Offenders in Nassau County

Individuals experience an understandable level of fear and uncertainty when facing criminal charges for the very first time. While the possible effects a conviction has on one’s personal and professional life seems daunting, individuals with no previous criminal history are often given special considerations when it comes to resolving their case. The goal in these cases is getting the charges completely dropped or at least reduced to minimize any criminal record. 

First-time offenders should not go to court by themselves with the expectation that prosecutors or judges will “go easy” on them simply because they have no criminal record. Instead, it is important to have proven legal representation so you can dramatically increase the likelihood of the best resolution possible.

If you are facing charges in New York for your first criminal offense, you should speak with an attorney who can immediately begin developing your defense. Law Office of Stephanie Selloni represents clients in communities like Westbury, Mineola, Freeport,  Hempstead, and throughout surrounding areas of Nassau County and Long Island.

Stephanie Selloni is a dedicated criminal defense lawyer in Nassau County who fights to protect the rights of her clients. You can receive a review of your case from Law Office of Stephanie Selloni when you call (516) 972-1212 to schedule a free initial consultation.


Long Island First Time Offender Information Center


First Time Offender Criminal Offenses in New York

First time offenses are not limited to a single area of law, and we represent individuals who are facing the following allegations for the first time:

  • Drunk Driving Charges — Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (ADWI), Chemical Test Refusal, Zero Tolerance Law, or other violations. Read more about a first-lifetime arrest for DWI or DWAI.
  • Drug Charges — Possession of a Controlled Substance, Sale of a Controlled Substance, Drug Paraphernalia, Drug Trafficking, Drug Manufacturing, Marijuana Distribution, Marijuana Cultivation, and other drug charges.
  • — Arson, Burglary, Criminal Mischief, Possession of Alcohol, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Robbery, and Weapon or Firearm Charges.
  • Property Crimes — Arson, Burglary, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Tampering, Trespassing, or Unauthorized Use of Vehicle.
  • Sex Crimes —Forcible Touching, Predatory Sexual Assault, Prostitution or Solicitation, Rape, Sexual Abuse, or Sexual Misconduct.
  • Violent Crimes — Assault, Kidnapping, Menacing a Police Officer, Reckless Endangerment, or Robbery.
  • Weapon or Firearm Charges — Criminal Sale of a Firearm, Criminal Use of a Firearm, Felony Possession of a Weapon, Misdemeanor Possession of a Weapon, or Unlawful Discharge of a Weapon.

Long Island First Time Offender Penalties

There is no single criminal classification or sentencing guideline for first-time offenders, as the consequences you face depend on the type of crime you are accused of committing. You could be facing misdemeanor or felony charges, and the maximum sentences for those crimes are broken down into the following classes:

  • Class B Misdemeanor — Up to three months in jail.
  • Class A Misdemeanor — Up to one year in jail.
  • Unclassified Misdemeanor — Up to one year in jail.
  • Class E Felony — Up to four years in prison.
  • Class D Felony — Up to seven years in prison.
  • Class C Felony — Up to 15 years in prison.
  • Class B Felony — Up to 25 years in prison.
  • Class A-II Felony — Up to a life sentence.
  • Class A-I Felony — Up to a life sentence.

How to Avoid Jail Time as First Time Offender in Nassau County

A criminal defense attorney has several options that can help keep you out of jail. In addition to numerous pretrial motions that can include evidentiary problems that may get a case thrown out or plea bargaining negotiations with the prosecution that result in reduced charges, the state of New York also has several Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) programs.

More than 150 of these pretrial services and correctional alternative programs are funded and overseen by the Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DPCA). Many of these programs benefit first-time offenders, and a few of them include:

  • Community Service Programs — Unpaid, supervised work that allows non-violent offenders (excluding sex offenders) to provide a court-ordered number of hours of service to the community.
  • Defender Based Advocacy (DBA) — DBA programs evaluate alleged offenders’ needs for services like drug treatment or family counseling and prepare alternative sentencing plans and a client-specific plan that may include recommendations for community supervision, employment and/or treatment options.
  • Mental Illness Programs — Mental health courts and shared services that provide specialized services for alleged offenders who are seriously mentally ill.
  • Specialized Programs — Specialized ATI programs target populations for unique supervision, such as family-oriented services, residential programs involving addiction treatment services, or programs structured exclusively to address special challenges faced by female offenders.
  • Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities (TASC) and Drug and Alcohol Programs —TASC and other treatment programs provide treatment alternatives for non-violent alleged offenders who are at least 16 years old, facing a jail or prison sentence, and have indicators of problem(s) with alcohol or other drugs.
  • Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACOD) – In some instances, such as petit larceny, criminal mischief, and other various first time offenses, a defendant can petition for ACOD to have their case adjourned for 6 months. If granted the defendant is released and then after the 6 month period, the judge can decide to have the case restored for prosecution or the case will be deemed dismissed completely.

Find A First Time Offenders Lawyer in Long Island

You should contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible if you have been arrested and charged with your first offenses. Law Office of Stephanie Selloni helps defend clients in Glen Cove, Syosset, Garden City, Massapequa, and many other communities in Nassau County and Suffolk County.

Stephanie Selloni also handles criminal cases in all five boroughs of New York City. She will provide an honest and thorough review of your case during a free, confidential consultation when you call Law Office of Stephanie Selloni at (516) 972-1212.