Profile of Attorney Stephan J. Siegel

A criminal defense lawyer practicing in the criminal courts of Queens County and throughout the New York City metropolitan area for more than a third of a century.

Being arrested is one of the most horrible experiences in the world.  Your goal is to minimize the direct and collateral consequences associated with that arrest.  In order to do so, you must choose the lawyer who will be able to implement the strongest defense possible with respect to the facts and circumstances of your case.  To assist you in your selection process, I must tell you a little bit about the way I view criminal defense and why my background and experience may be right for you.

If you hire me, I promise that I will do everything possible to alleviate the suffering and obtain the most favorable outcome possible with respect to the facts and circumstances of your case.  No lawyer can transform being a criminal defendant into a pleasant experience; I will do everything possible to minimize discomfort and insure the best result possible. 

The lawyer you hire must have extensive experience defending other individuals facing the same charges that you are facing.  I have handled more than 10,000 criminal matters and I have litigated at least 1,700 trials in the various professional and pro-bono capacities in which I serve.  As your attorney, I will be personally responsible for all aspects of the preparation, investigation and disposition of your case through either trial or plea negotiation.  Whether you decide to pursue an acquittal after trial or a negotiated plea, I will do everything possible to guarantee your getting the best result possible. 

My first legal experience was working in the district attorneys' offices in Queens and Manhattan during my first two summers of law school.  After law school, I gained priceless experience as a staff attorney for the Queens Criminal Defense Division of the Legal Aid Society.  There, I was exposed to virtually every crime prosecutable under the various criminal statutes of New York State.  I started my own practice in 1982 where the majority of my practice has always been devoted to representing clients charged with criminal offenses.  As an attorney, I am proud that I have continuously built and maintained a reputation of dedication, expertise and integrity for more than one-third of a century.  I continuously attend continuing legal education courses over and above what is legally mandated so that I can provide the best representation possible. 

Without any reservations, I can truly state that I have extensive experience in every aspect of criminal law including murder, arson,  assault, burglary, child pornography, computer crime, burglary, drug possession, manufacture, distribution & trafficking, extortion, fraud, intentional and involuntary manslaughter and homicide, internet crime, juvenile offenses, kidnapping, larceny, rape, robbery, sex crimes, shaken baby syndrome, violent crimes of every description and white collar matters including Medicare and Medicaid fraud, embezzlement, racketeering and Ponzi/Madoff schemes.   

While any lawyer with a license can try any case, most lawyers do not have any special certifications in criminal law.  While New York law does not bestow attorney specializations, the New York State County Law mandates that lawyers obtain and maintain special certifications to be authorized to provide indigent criminal defense representation.  In addition, my being certified to provide indigent criminal defense with respect to felony and homicide matters, I am proud that I am one of the few lawyers in New York City to be County Law certified to try cases involving murder and post-prison confinement of sexually violent predators.

My pro-bono publica work has complemented the work I do as an advocate for my clients.  For more than five years, I have served the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York as a Certified Mediator. In the Queens Supreme Court, I have served as a Referee and Receiver for more than 18 years and more recently, as a Fee Dispute Arbitrator and a Grievance Mediator as well.  I have been a Small Claims Court Arbitrator in the Queens Civil Court for more than 25 years.  From 1984 to 1988, I worked part-time as a Counsel and Legislative Aide in the New York State Assembly, first for the Majority Leader and then for the Speaker of the Assembly.  These public service positions have provided me with a more universal perspective than I might otherwise have been able to obtain by sticking exclusively to my work as a criminal defense lawyer.

To schedule an in-office consultation, contact me by e-mail or call my office at 718-575-3900, 24/7.  I will meet with you during normal business hours or evenings and weekends by special appointment, if necessary.  Credit cards are accepted and translation is available for French, German, Hebrew and Polish speakers.