Criminal Law Attorney Practice Areas in Syracuse, NY
A criminal law attorney defends people who are under investigation or charged with a crime. Cambareri & Brenneck, PLLC is a Syracuse, NY criminal defense firm founded by former Onondaga County prosecutors. We defend 14 types of cases, from DWI and drug charges to felonies, federal crimes and appeals. Call
315-424-8326 for a free consultation.
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CASE TYPES
Types of Criminal Cases We Defend in Syracuse
Criminal Defense Attorney
DWI Lawyer
First-offense, aggravated and felony DWI under VTL §1192, plus chemical test refusals and the DMV hearing that comes with them. Partner Steve Cambareri has lectured on DWI law to local police and the Onondaga County Bar.
DWAI Lawyer
Driving while ability impaired by alcohol, drugs or both. DWAI-alcohol is a traffic infraction, but DWAI-drugs is a crime. Prescription and cannabis cases often turn on the drug evaluation.
Traffic Ticket Lawyer
Speeding, cell phone, suspended license and other moving violations that add points or threaten your license or CDL. Most tickets are infractions, not crimes, but they can still cost you your license.
Drug Possession Lawyer
Possession and sale of controlled substances under Penal Law Article 220, including car-search cases and judicial diversion. Attorney Joe Centra worked in the DA’s Narcotics Bureau before he switched sides.
Gun & Weapons Charge Lawyer
Criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th degree under Penal Law Article 265. Many weapons cases are won or lost on one question: was the stop and search legal?
ERPO / Red Flag Law Lawyer
Hearings on Extreme Risk Protection Orders under CPLR Article 63-A. An ERPO is a civil order, not a criminal charge, but it can take your guns for up to a year. You have the right to be heard.
Theft & Larceny Lawyer
Shoplifting, petit larceny, grand larceny and embezzlement under Penal Law Article 155. The dollar value sets the charge, from a misdemeanor to a Class B felony. Fraud and forgery cases are handled here too.
Sex Crimes Lawyer
Confidential defense of sex offense allegations under Penal Law Article 130, from the first police call through trial and SORA risk-level hearings. You are presumed innocent, and we keep your case private.
Internet Sex Crime & Unlawful Pornography Defense
Discreet defense of state charges (Penal Law Article 263) and federal charges (18 U.S.C. §2252) based on phones, computers and online accounts. Early advice matters, often before any arrest.
Criminal Contempt Lawyer
Charges for allegedly violating an order of protection from criminal or family court, under Penal Law §§215.50 and 215.51. A contempt charge can be added on top of the original case.
Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
Defense in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, which sits in Syracuse. Federal cases follow their own rules and sentencing guidelines, so get advice early.
Criminal Appeals Lawyer
Appeals to the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, and motions to vacate a conviction under CPL §440.10. Our team includes a retired Fourth Department justice as Special Counsel.
Title IX Attorney
Students accused in Title IX or college disciplinary cases at New York schools. A campus case isn’t a criminal case, but it can lead to one, and a finding can follow you for years.
Arrested and not sure what comes next? Read what to do after a criminal arrest in Syracuse, then call us.
Charge Guide
Types of Criminal Charges in New York and Where They Are Heard
New York sorts offenses into three levels: violations, misdemeanors and felonies. Only misdemeanors and felonies are crimes (Penal Law §10.00). Most traffic tickets are traffic infractions, not crimes (VTL §155). Federal charges are a separate system with their own court. For the jail ranges at each level, see our felony vs misdemeanor table.
| Type of charge | Common New York charges | Where the case is usually heard | Our page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felonies | Assault 2nd and 1st (PL §§120.05, 120.10), burglary (PL Art. 140), robbery (PL Art. 160), homicide (PL Art. 125) | Starts in Syracuse City Court or a town court; indicted felonies go to Onondaga County Court | Criminal defense attorney |
| Misdemeanors and violations | Assault 3rd (PL §120.00), harassment 2nd (PL §240.26), criminal mischief, trespass | Syracuse City Court or the town or village court where the arrest happened | Criminal defense attorney |
| Domestic violence and orders of protection | Family offense charges; criminal contempt (PL §§215.50, 215.51) | Local criminal court; orders may also come from Family Court | Criminal contempt |
| Impaired driving | DWI and aggravated DWI (VTL §1192(2), (2-a), (3)); DWAI (VTL §1192(1), (4), (4-a)); chemical test refusal (VTL §1194) | Local criminal court, plus a DMV refusal hearing | DWI · DWAI |
| Traffic infractions | Speeding (VTL §1180), aggravated unlicensed operation (VTL §511) | City, town or village court where the ticket was written | Traffic tickets |
| Drug charges | Criminal possession and sale of a controlled substance (PL Art. 220); cannabis (PL Art. 222) | Local criminal court; felonies go to Onondaga County Court | Drug possession |
| Weapons and gun rights | Criminal possession of a weapon (PL §§265.01–265.03); red flag orders (CPLR Art. 63-A, civil) | Local criminal court or County Court; ERPOs in State Supreme Court | Weapons · ERPO |
| Theft, fraud and white-collar | Petit larceny (PL §155.25), grand larceny (PL §§155.30–155.42), forgery (PL Art. 170), scheme to defraud (PL Art. 190) | Local criminal court; felonies go to Onondaga County Court | Theft & larceny |
| Sex offenses | Penal Law Article 130 charges; SORA risk-level hearings | County Court for most felony cases | Sex crimes |
| Internet and device-based charges | PL Art. 263; 18 U.S.C. §§2252, 2252A | State court or federal court in Syracuse | Unlawful pornography |
| Federal crimes | Federal drug, gun, fraud and internet charges | U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York (Syracuse) | Federal crimes |
| After a conviction | Direct appeals (CPL Art. 450); motions to vacate (CPL §440.10) | Appellate Division, Fourth Department; NY Court of Appeals | Criminal appeals |
| Campus cases | Title IX (20 U.S.C. §1681; 34 C.F.R. Part 106); NY Education Law Art. 129-B | School hearing; Article 78 review in State Supreme Court | Title IX |
Outside Onondaga County, cases start in Auburn City Court or Oswego City Court, or the local town court, and felonies move to Cayuga County Court or Oswego County Court. Sources: NY Penal Law, NY Vehicle and Traffic Law, NY Criminal Procedure Law, NY Courts: Types of Criminal Cases. This table is general information, not legal advice about your case.
TESTIMONIALS
What Clients Say About Our Criminal Law Attorneys
Cambareri & Brenneck
4.7 Star – 80 Reviews
Scott Brenneck is an amazing attorney he has help me with my own personal legal matter as well as coworkers.
FORMER PROSECUTOR ADVANTAGE
Former Prosecutors Behind Every Practice Area
Every type of case on this page is one our attorneys once handled for the other side. They worked in the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, in bureaus that charged and tried felonies, drug and weapons cases, DWIs, fraud and appeals. Now they use that insight for you. A criminal law lawyer who has built these cases knows where they tend to break.
Felonies, misdemeanors and weapons: Scott A. Brenneck, Partner, prosecuted assault, burglary, robbery and weapons cases in the Felony Trial Unit.
DWI, DWAI and violent felonies: Steve Cambareri, Partner, spent nearly 9 years in the violent felony trial bureau and has taught DWI law to lawyers and police
Drug, theft and fraud cases: Joe Centra, Attorney, worked in the DA’s Narcotics Bureau and about three years in the Economic Fraud & Financial Crime Bureau.
Sex crimes, federal cases, Title IX and post-conviction: Melissa K. Swartz, Attorney [VERIFY title], was trial counsel in the DA’s Office and now handles trial, appellate and post-conviction defense in state and federal court.
Appeals: Hon. John V. Centra (Ret.), Special Counsel, heard more than 10,000 appeals as a justice of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department.
Looking for a criminal attorney in Syracuse, or a criminal law attorney near me in Onondaga County? Our office is at 300 South State Street, downtown. We also defend clients in Clay, Salina, Cicero, DeWitt, Manlius, Camillus, Onondaga and Baldwinsville, and in Auburn and Oswego. Our criminal defense services start with a free consultation.
FORMER PROSECUTOR ADVANTAGE
Experience From Both Sides Of The Courtroom
Our background as former prosecutors gives us insight into how cases are built, investigated, and argued. We use that experience to identify weaknesses, challenge evidence, and develop stronger defense strategies for our clients.
WHY CHOOSE US
Why Choose Our Criminal Law Attorneys
Every Stage, One Team
We can step in before charges are filed, at arraignment, at trial, at a DMV or school hearing, and on appeal. You don't have to change lawyers when your case changes
Prosecution Experience in Every Case Type
Our attorneys come from the DA's felony trial, violent felony, narcotics, economic fraud and appeals bureaus.
Phones Answered 24/7
Arrests happen at night and on weekends. Call any time, and a member of our team will get back to you quickly.
Free, Confidential Consultation
Tell us what happened. We'll explain your options and our fee before you commit to anything.
Results Across Our Practice Areas
Weapons conviction reversed
People v. Montgomery: a conviction for criminal possession of a weapon 2nd degree was reversed and the indictment dismissed
Federal sentence far below the guidelines
U.S. v. Berte: a 60-month sentence where the guideline range was 151–188 months.
SORA level reduced
People v. Cohen: the client's sex offender risk level was reduced from Level III to Level II.
Four students exonerated
Syracuse University v. Alpha Chi Rho: four students were exonerated in a university disciplinary case.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What types of criminal cases does Cambareri & Brenneck handle?
We defend felonies and misdemeanors, DWI and DWAI, drug and weapons charges, theft and fraud, sex offenses and internet-based charges, orders of protection and criminal contempt, ERPO hearings, federal crimes, traffic tickets, Title IX cases and criminal appeals. If your charge isn’t listed, call 315-424-8326. We can tell you in one conversation whether we can help.
What are the different types of criminal charges in New York?
New York has three levels of offenses: violations, misdemeanors and felonies. Only misdemeanors and felonies are crimes. Charges are also grouped by subject, such as violent, property, drug, weapons, sex and driving offenses. Most traffic tickets are infractions, not crimes. Federal charges are filed under U.S. law and heard in federal court, which in this area sits in Syracuse.
What are the different types of criminal lawyers?
Criminal lawyers work either for the government as prosecutors or for the accused as defense lawyers. Defense lawyers may focus on trials, appeals, federal cases or specific charges like DWI. At Cambareri & Brenneck, former prosecutors handle trials, and our appellate team, which includes a retired Fourth Department justice, handles appeals and motions to vacate a conviction.
My charge isn't listed on this page. Can you still help?
Probably. Assault, burglary, robbery, domestic violence, probation violations and homicide are covered on our criminal defense attorney page. Fraud and forgery are covered with theft. If you were charged with something else, or with several charges at once, call 315-424-8326. We’ll tell you how New York law treats it and what your options are.
Is a traffic ticket or DWAI a crime in New York?
Usually not. Most traffic tickets and DWAI by alcohol are traffic infractions, not crimes, so they don’t create a criminal record. But they still carry fines, points and possible license suspension. DWI and DWAI by drugs are crimes, and a third DWAI within ten years can be charged as a misdemeanor. Talk to a lawyer before you plead.
Can I hire a lawyer if I'm under investigation but haven't been charged?
Yes, and it’s often the best time. If police want to talk to you, you’ve received a federal target letter, or your school opened a Title IX case, a lawyer can speak for you and help you avoid statements that hurt you later. Early advice can sometimes keep a case from being charged at all, or from being charged as a felony.
What if one arrest leads to more than one case?
That happens often. A DWI arrest can bring a criminal case and a DMV refusal hearing. A campus incident can bring a Title IX case and a criminal charge. A domestic case can bring an order of protection and a contempt charge. Our team handles the connected cases together, so what you say in one doesn’t hurt you in another.
Is criminal possession of a Can you take over an appeal if another lawyer handled my trial? 2nd degree a violent felony?
Yes. Many of our appeals and post-conviction cases come from trials handled by other lawyers. In New York, a notice of appeal usually must be filed within 30 days of sentencing, so call quickly. Even after that deadline, a motion to vacate the conviction may still be possible in some cases.
How quickly can I talk to a lawyer after an arrest?
Right away. Our phones are answered 24/7, and a member of our team will get back to you quickly. The consultation is free and confidential. Before you talk to anyone else about the case, call 315-424-8326 or send the form on this page. Bring any paperwork you have, but don’t wait for it.
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