FEDERAL & STATE
CRIMINAL DEFENSE REPRESENTATION
WHO WE ARE
We are criminal defense lawyers, representing clients in New York State and in federal courts throughout the country.
We have represented clients in hundreds of criminal cases during our more than 40 years of practice and have a keen understanding of what it takes to obtain the optimal results in a given case. We are intimately familiar with New York State courts, particularly in New York City, as well as federal courts, where we are well known.
CRIMINAL DEFENSE PRACTICE AREAS
We are experienced representing clients in virtually all areas of criminal defense, including, financial crimes, drug defense, RICO prosecutions, violent crime, securities fraud, tax matters and much more. Levitt & Kaizer partner Richard Levitt is the author of the Second Circuit Criminal Law Source Book, an 1800-page outline of Second Circuit criminal law:
WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE DO IT
When you come to us for representation in a pending criminal case, we first and foremost recognize you are likely scared and confused, and have numerous questions regarding the charges against you, how your case will succeed, the options available to you and the likely result. Although we don’t have a crystal ball our very considerable experience in criminal defense permits us to give you informed advice regarding all these matters. And we can put you at ease knowing that you are in good hands, and that everything that needs to be done to optimize the likelihood of the best result will be done.
HOW WILL MY CASE PROCEED?
Most criminal cases proceed along a predictable path: The client will appear in court, obtain a copy of the charges, and plead not guilty. The “discovery” process will begin, during which the prosecution will be required to turn over various information concerning the case. In New York State cases, such discovery, under Article 245 of the Criminal Procedure Law, will be extensive. In federal court, under Rule 16 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure discovery will be substantially more limited. However, we are not limited to the information obtained from the prosecutor but typically engage our own investigator and other outside professionals, such as experts, to advance the defense.
We will also consider whether there are motions we can make to the court, which may include requests for additional information about the charges, specific discovery that has not been provided but should be, requests to dismiss particular charges if they are legally erroneous, and many others.
HOW WILL MY CASE END?
Criminal cases generally end in one of four ways: (1) dismissal; (2) a plea of guilty with cooperation; (3) a plea of guilty without cooperation; and (4) trial. The decision of whether to take one option or another is a sensitive and important one. Ultimately the decision belongs to the client alone, but our job is to provide our best advice regarding which option is best for you. Here, our very considerable experience will help you make the best choice for you and your family.
When we explore the possibility of a guilty plea, we draw on our experience to obtain the lowest possible sentence, or no sentence at all. In New York State courts guilty pleas often include the promise of a specific sentence, but in federal court this is very rare. Therefore, in federal cases if a client pleads guilty, we will prepare a detailed memorandum for the court in support of our sentencing recommendation. Where appropriate we do so with the assistance of experts, that may include, for example, mental health professionals and others. We are known for presenting extensive pre-sentence memoranda to the judges before whom we appear.
TRIALS
Should your case not end in dismissal or plea, it will proceed to trial. We have deep experience in trial practice and welcome the challenge when no other acceptable option is available. Trials are full-time endeavors and trial days begin early in the morning and end late at night. Some trials last just a few days, but we have also tried cases that have taken many, many months. Trial practice requires enormous skill, dedication and stamina and we have all three. So rest assured if you case proceeds to trial we will be ready.
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A TYPICAL "THANK YOU”
We receive many “thank yous” from our clients, many of which you can read here and here. Here’s one:
Amazing Lawyer
Richard Levitt was hired to defend my drug case vs the United States government. Being from Canada and needed legal representation from an America lawyer my family sought out Richard and the firm. My case went on for 3 years, which most of it was during the early stages of the pandemic. With a lot of uncertainties going on in the world. Richard made sure to keep close contact with me as we prepared for the case. Richard is well spoken, detail oriented and most importantly optimistic without over promising. I’m beyond grateful for the outcome because I was giving 0 imprisonment time with probation. I wasn’t expecting this result but Richard was prepared and from the moment he visited at MDC and told me what he could do, he definitely delivered. Thank you, Richard, and everyone at Kaizer and Levitt for their hard work.
ADDITIONAL READING
For additional guidance regarding the issues raised in this article and concerning other areas of our practice you may want to read about our representation during investigations, appeals, post-conviction representation, forfeiture and restitution, compassionate release applications, financial compensation for wrongful convictions, and civil litigation.
Contact Us
📞 Call Levitt & Kaizer: office (212) 480-4000 cell (917) 324-4000
📍 Office: 40 Fulton Street, Suite 1702, New York, NY 10038-1850
🖥️ Website: www.levittandkaizer.com