Nassau County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Nassau County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Nassau County.
Mandatory Appearances in Nassau County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Nassau County, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.
Can I appeal a guilty verdict?
If found guilty, a defendant may decide to appeal his case to an appelate court. The appellate court will not retry the case, they will examine the proceedings in the lower court to make sure they were done in a legal manner. The appellate court can either uphold the original conviction, or determine that due to errors made in the original trial, that there must be a retrial, resentencing or a complete dismissal of the charges.
Nassau County Criminal Court
Sentencing in Nassau County
In Nassau County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.
Jury by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
What happens in Nassau County at an arraignment?
In Nassau County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Where will Nassau County criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Nassau County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Nassau County.
What if I can’t afford an attorney?
The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.
Who is the prosecutor for Nassau County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Nassau County criminal cases will either be a representative of Nassau County or a representative from New York. After reviewing evidence it is the prosecutor’s decision whether to file charges or drop a case. Most prosecutors have the ability to negotiate plea bargains, and determine how the case will be prosecuted.
I need help for my Nassau County criminal case
The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Nassau County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Nassau County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Nassau County you may be able to enter into a plea agreement depending upon the severity of the charges. It is also dependant upon the prosecution willing to accept a plea agreement. You can ask your attorney to attempt to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution to avoid having a jury trial along with the potential for a more serious sentence. Approximately 9 out of 10 criminal cases usually end in a plea agreement.
Jury Deliberations in Nassau County
In Nassau County, jury deliberations will take place in a jury trial after the prosecution and defense have presented their cases and rested. At this point, the judge will provide a list of instructions to the jury about what they are allowed and not allowed to do and what verdict options are available for them to decide. The jury will be sent to a private room to discuss the evidence presented in the case and attempt to reach a unaminous decision. When a unaminous decision is reached, the jury will inform the judge that they have reached a verdict and will return to the courtroom for the verdict to be read allowed. In the event that the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the jury results in a deadlock and a mistrial is declared.
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.
Nassau County Criminal Court Locations
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Nassau County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 262 Old Country Road, Mineola NY 11501
Phone: 516-493-3800 -
Nassau County Court
Address: 262 Old Country Road, Mineola NY 11501
Phone: 516-493-3710 Fax: Fax: 516-571-2160 -
Nassau County District Court
Address: 99 Main Street, Hempstead NY 11550
Phone: 516-493-4200 -
Glen Cove City Court
Address: 13 Glen Street, Glen Cove NY 11542
Phone: 516-403-2441 Fax: 516-676-1570 -
Long Beach City Court
Address: 1 West Chester Street, Long Beach NY 11561
Phone: 516-442-8544 -
Atlantic Beach Village Court
Address: 65 The Plaza, PO Box 189, Atlantic Beach NY 11509
Phone: 516-371-4552 -
Baxter Estates Village Court
Address: 315 Main Street, Port Washington NY 11050
Phone: 516-767-0096 -
Bayville Village Justice Court
Address: 34 School Street, Bayville NY 11709
Phone: 516-628-1410 Fax: 516-628-3740 -
Bellerose Village Court
Address: 50 Superior Road, Bellerose Village NY 11001
Phone: 516-358-2962 -
Brookville Village Court
Address: 18 Horse Hill Road, Brookville NY 11545
Phone: 516-922-8198 -
Cedarhurst Village Court
Address: 200 Cedarhurst Avenue, Cedarhurst NY 11516
Phone: 516-295-5522 -
Centre Island Village Court
Address: 303 Centre Island Rd, Oyster Bay NY 11771
Phone: 516-922-2176 -
Cove Neck Village Court
Address: 2 Cove Neck Road, PO Box 299, Oyster Bay NY 11771
Phone: 516-922-1885 -
East Hills Village Court
Address: 209 Harbor Hill Rd, East Hills NY 11576
Phone: 516-621-6117 -
East Rockaway Village Justice Court
Address: 376 Atlantic Avenue, PO Box 189, East Rockaway NY 11518
Phone: 516-887-6312 Fax: 516-887-6314 -
East Williston Village Court
Address: 2 Prospect Street, East Williston, NY 11596
Phone: 516-922-9154 -
Farmingdale Village Court
Address: 361 Main Street, Farmingdale NY 11735
Phone: 516-293-2292 -
Floral Park Village Justice Court
Address: 1 Floral Blvd, Floral Park NY 11002
Phone: 516-326-6325 Fax: 516-328-2404 -
Flower Hill Village Court
Address: 1 Bonnie Heights Road, Manhasset NY 11030
Phone: 516-627-8877 -
Freeport Village Court
Address: 40 North Ocean Avenue, Freeport NY 11520
Phone: 516-377-2329 Fax: 516-377-2209 -
Garden City Village Justice Court
Address: 351 Stewart Ave, Garden City NY 11530
Phone: 516-465-4080 -
Great Neck Estates Village Justice Court
Address: 4 Gateway Drive, Great Neck NY 11021
Phone: 516-482-6430 -
Great Neck Plaza Village Justice Court
Address: 2 Gussack Plaza, PO Box 440, Great Neck, NY 11022
Phone: 516-482-4500 -
Great Neck Village Court
Address: 61 Baker Hill Road, Great Neck NY 11023
Phone: 516-487-0775 Fax: 516-504-4463 -
Hempstead Village Court
Address: 99 Nichols Court, Hempstead NY 11550
Phone: 516-478-6254 -
Hewlett Bay Park Village Court
Address: 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett NY 11557
Phone: 516-295-1400 -
Island Park Village Justice Court
Address: 127 Long Beach Road, Island Park NY 11558
Phone: 516-431-0600 Fax: 516-431-0436 -
Kensington Village Court
Address: 2 Nassau Drive, Great Neck NY 11021
Phone: 516-482-4409 Ext. 148 -
Kings Point Village Court
Address: 32 Steppingstone Lane, Kings Point NY 11024
Phone: 516-482-2403 -
Lake Success Village Court
Address: 15 Vanderbilt Drive, Lake Success NY 11020
Phone: 516-482-7430 -
Lattingtown Village Court
Address: PO Box 201, Locust Valley NY 11560
Phone: 516-681-9271 -
Laurel Hollow Justice Court
Address: 1492 Laurel Hollow Road, Syosset NY 11791
Phone: 516-692-8826 Fax: 516-692-4198 -
Lawrence Village Justice Court
Address: 196 Central Avenue, Lawrence NY 11559
Phone: 516-239-9166 -
Lynbrook Village Justice Court
Address: 1 Columbus Drive, Lynbrook NY 11563
Phone: 516-599-0416 Fax: 516-599-0448 -
Malverne Village Court
Address: 99 Church Street, Malverne NY 11565
Phone: 516-599-0722 -
Manorhaven Village Justice Court
Address: 33 Manorhaven Blvd, Port Washington NY 11050
Phone: 516-883-7000 Ext. 12 -
Massapequa Park Village Court
Address: 151 Front Street, Massapequa Park NY 11762
Phone: 516-798-0244 -
Matinecock Village Court
Address: Mailing: PO Box 227, East Norwich NY 11732
Phone: 516-922-8198 -
Mill Neck Village Court
Address: 32 Frost Mill Road, PO Box 232, Mill Neck NY 11765
Phone: 516-922-6722 -
Mineola Justice Court
Address: 155 Washington Avenue, PO Box 167, Mineola NY 11501
Phone: 516-746-0750 Fax: 516-739-7076 -
Munsey Park Village Court
Address: 1777 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset NY 11030
Phone: 516-365-7790 -
Muttontown Village Court
Address: 1763 Route 106, Syosset NY 11791
Phone: 516-364-2240 Fax: 516-364-2031 -
New Hyde Park Village Court
Address: 1420 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park NY 11040
Phone: 516-354-6330 Fax: 516-354-6004 -
North Hills Village Court
Address: 1 Shelter Rock Road, Roslyn NY 11576
Phone: 516-365-8857 Fax: 516-627-0703 -
Old Brookville Village Court
Address: 201 Mccouns Lane, Old Brookville NY 11545
Phone: 516-671-4664 -
Old Westbury Village Court
Address: 1 Store Hill Road, Old Westbury NY 11568
Phone: 516-626-0809 -
Oyster Bay Cove Village Court
Address: 25B Route 25A, Oyster Bay Cove NY 11771
Phone: 516-681-9271 -
Plandome Heights Village Court
Address: 37 Orchard Street, PO Box 1384, Manhasset NY 11030
Phone: 516-627-1136 Fax: 516-627-1393 -
Plandome Manor Village Court
Address: 55 Manhasset Avenue, Manhasset NY 11030
Phone: 516-627-3701 -
Plandome Village Court
Address: 65 South Drive, PO Box 930, Plandome NY 11030
Phone: 516-365-3083 -
Port Washington North Village Court
Address: 71 Old Shore Road, Port Washington NY 11050
Phone: 516-883-5900 -
Rockville Centre Village Justice Court
Address: One College Place, PO Box 950, Rockville Centre NY 11571
Phone: 516-678-9233 -
Roslyn Estates Village Court
Address: 25 The Tulips, Roslyn NY 11576
Phone: 516-621-3541 -
Roslyn Harbor Village Court
Address: 500 Motts Cove Road South, Roslyn Harbor NY 11576
Phone: 516-621-7261 -
Roslyn Village Justice Court
Address: 1200 Old Northern Blvd, Roslyn, NY 11576
Phone: 516-621-1961 Fax: 516-621-2171 -
Russell Gardens Village Court
Address: 6 Tain Drive, Great Neck NY 11021
Phone: 516-482-8246 -
Saddle Rock Village Court
Address: 18 Masefield Way, Saddle Rock NY 11023
Phone: 516-482-9400 -
Sands Point Village Court
Address: 26 Tibbits Lane, PO Box 188, Sands Point NY 11050
Phone: 516-883-3044 -
Sea Cliff Village Court
Address: 300 Sea Cliff Avenue, PO Box 340, Sea Cliff NY 11579
Phone: 516-671-0080 -
South Floral Park Village Court
Address: 383 Roquette Avenue, South Floral Park NY 11001
Phone: 516-352-8047 -
Stewart Manor Village Court
Address: 120 Covert Avenue, Stewart Manor NY 11530
Phone: 516-354-1800 -
Thomaston Village Court
Address: 100 East Shore Road, Great Neck NY 11023
Phone: 516-482-3110 -
Upper Brookville Village Court
Address: PO Box 436, Glen Head NY 11545
Phone: 516-924-2552 -
Valley Stream Village Justice Court
Address: 123 South Central Avenue, Valley Stream NY 11580
Phone: 825-4200 Ext. 2 -
Westbury Village Court
Address: 235 Lincoln Place, Westbury NY 11590
Phone: 516-334-1700 Fax: 516-334-7563 -
Williston Park Village Justice Court
Address: 494 Willis Avenue, Williston Park NY 11596
Phone: 516-248-5150 -
Woodsburgh Village Court
Address: 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett NY 11557
Phone: 516-295-1400