You Have The Right To Defend Yourself
Self Defense Or Justification Is A Complete Defense
Our Manhattan And Westchester Criminal Defense Lawyers
Who Defend Assault Cases Based Upon Self Defense
Our New York City criminal defense lawyers and White Plains criminal defense attorneys know that whenever they are called to a situation involving a phycial altercation, they arrest whoever looks less injured. Our experienced NYC and Westchester criminal defense lawyers know that just because you were arrested, that does not mean that you are guilty. New York law firmly recognizes that right of a person who is being attacked to defend themselves from both the actual use of force as well as the threat of force. You are also allowed to use reasonable force to protect not only yourselves, but to protect other people and even your property. Our White Plains criminal defense lawyers and Manhattan criminal defense attorneys have won acquitals for our clients who were charged with assault, assault with a weapon and menacing based upon self defense and justification.
Our criminal defense team is made up of both former prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys with decades of experienced in the New York Criminal Courts.
We Fight For Our Clients –
The Same You Had To Fight For Yourself
A Good Criminal Defense Lawyer Makes All The Difference
Common Questions About
Self Defense And Justification
What Is Self Defense?
Under New York’s Penal Law 35.15, a person is allowed to use physical force when they reasonably believes physical force is necessary to defend themself or a third person from what they reasonably believe to be the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force by another person.
What Is Justification?
Under New York Penal Law 35, your use of force is justified and is not a crime when such it is necessary as an emergency measure to avoid an imminent public or private injury which is about to occur. So in other words if you believe you or someone else is in danger, you can take whatever measures are reasonably necessary to prevent the threat
Does New York Recognize The Right To Defend Property?
New York Law allows you to use physical force upon another person when you reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent or terminate what you reasonably believe to be the a crime involving damage to property or an attempt to damage property or to expel a trespasser.
Am I Going To Jail If I Killed A Burglar?
New York Penal Law 35.20 expressly allows people to use deadly force to stop a burglary whenever you reasonably believe it is necesssary to do so.
When Is Deadly Force Authorized?
Under New York Penal Law 35.15, you can use deadly force if you reasonably believes that the other person is about to use deadly force or is committing or attempting to commit a kidnapping, forcible rape, forcible criminal sexual act or robbery, or is committing or attempting to commit a burglary.
Why Was I Arrested For Defending Myself?
Our White Plains criminal defense lawyers and White Plains criminal defense attorneys know that just because you are arrested, that does not mean you are guilty. Remember the police are allowed to rely on what one person says and often go with whoever appears more injured. Sorting out what actually happened is what the Court process is for. Don’t worry, you will get your day in Court.
We Are On Your Side
With crime on the rise in New York City and with criminals becoming ever more aggressive, more New Yorkers are being placed in a position where they have to defend themselves. If you are charged with assault because you had to defend yourself, call our NYC and Westchester self defense lawyers. The problem was made worse by progressive no bail policies and progressive New York City prosecutors who have taken a lax view on crime by viewing criminal as victims of society and reducing or even dismissing bona fide charges against habitual criminals. These actions have sent a clear message to criminals that there is no penalty for their actions and it has only made them more bold.
Self Defense Statistics
Our NYC criminal defense lawyers and White Plains criminal defense attorneys know that the numbers doen’t lie. The staggering number of cases in which people have to defend themselves evidences the need for the defense of self defense.
Self Defense With Guns According To Gun Industry Organizations
There are over 1.6 million incidents every year where people in the United States use firearms for self defense.
Surveys Of Defensive Gun Use Some Surveys Indicate Higher Usage Of Guns
Some surveys conducted by gun manufacturer industries indicate that there are as many as 2.5 million defensive uses of firearms in the United States every year.
Violent Crime Is On The Rise In New York City
Shootings and murders increased by 97 percent and 44 percent respectively in 2020 according to New York City Police Department statistics.
Tasers And Stunguns
Sales of tasers and stun guns increased by 200 percent in 2020, in response to the increase of violent crime and the rise in aggressive panhandling by the homeless.
Our Two Locations
To better serve our clients, we have two locations. One office is in Midtown Manhattan, across the street from the iconic Empire State Building. The other location is in downtown White Plains, N.Y., a short walk from the White Plains criminal court and the Westchester County criminal court.
Our Manhattan Law Office
Our New York City criminal defense attorneys can meet with you at our midtown Manhattan location:
18 West 33rd Street
Suite 400
New York, NY 10001
Our White Plains Law Office
You can meet with our White Plains criminal defense lawyers in our office located at :
203 East Post Road
White Plains, NY 10601
Tel: (914) 574-8330
Law Office of Michael H. Joseph, PLLC
The Law Office of Michael H. Joseph, PLLC, has been helping injured victims recover compensation for their injuries for over 25 years. Our attorneys are members of several prestigious organizations, including:
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association
- American Association for Justice
- New York County Bar Association
- Westchester County Bar Association
To request your free initial consultation with our team, call our New York City office at (212) 858-0503 or our White Plains office at (914) 574-8330. You can also request a case review online.
