Over 31 years · Long Island criminal defense
Over 31 years · Long Island criminal defense
I've personally defended over 2,000 people across Nassau & Suffolk for 31 years. Tell me what happened and I'll text you back.
150+ Five-Star Reviews
"Superb" Avvo Rating for over a decade
When You Are Facing a Criminal Charge in the Hamptons
If you’ve been arrested in East Hampton, you need local representation. I’m Ed Palermo, and I’ve been defending criminal cases in East Hampton Town Court for over 31 years. I know Judge Lisa Rana. I know Judge Steven Tekulsky. I know the prosecutors at the Suffolk County DA’s East End Bureau. I own a home in the area. This is my community, and I know how to defend cases here.
East Hampton is one of the busiest courts in the Hamptons, especially during summer. The village attracts visitors from around the world, particularly New York City. With that influx comes increased police enforcement, more arrests, and packed court calendars. DWI cases spike. Petit larceny. Assault. Criminal mischief. Even more serious charges like burglary and robbery. The alcohol, the crowds, the late nights—it all adds up to a lot of criminal cases.
I will answer all of your questions. I will explain the criminal charges you face. I will explain potential strategies to win your case. New clients ALWAYS feel better after they speak to me.
Ed Palermo
Why clients choose Ed
7-Time Best Lawyer & Highly Rated
Featured as a New York Law Journal Trailblazer and maintained a "Superb" AVVO Rating for over a decade. Voted 7-Time Winner of the Best of Long Island.
Unrivaled Criminal Trial Advocacy
I personally defend your freedom with over 31 years of exclusive criminal trial experience. I do everything in my power to dismantle the prosecution's evidence and secure a "Not Guilty" verdict.
Direct Access To Your Attorney
Every client receives my personal cell phone number. You will never be handed off to a junior associate; you deal directly with me from your initial arrest to the final resolution of your case.
Text Ed Palermo Personally Today
We understand this is an overwhelming time. I am available 24/7 to provide the certainty you need. Text or call me directly right now at (631) 903-3733
East Hampton Town Court operates Monday through Friday with court sessions starting at 9:30 AM and running into the afternoon. The court is located at 159 Pantigo Road in East Hampton. Unlike some village courts that meet only at night, East Hampton runs regular business-hour sessions, which means your case moves quickly.
Judge Rana and Judge Tekulsky both preside over criminal matters. I’ve appeared before both judges hundreds of times over the years. I know their judicial temperament. I know what arguments work and what doesn’t. I know how they handle first-time offenders versus repeat offenders. That courtroom experience matters when you’re standing in front of the bench.
The cases are prosecuted by assistant district attorneys from the Suffolk County DA’s East End Bureau. I’ve known these prosecutors for decades. We’ve negotiated countless plea agreements. We’ve tried cases against each other. We have professional relationships built on mutual respect. When it comes time to negotiate a favorable outcome for you, those relationships help.
This isn’t a courthouse where you want an out-of-town lawyer showing up unfamiliar with the local procedures. East Hampton has its own rhythm, its own culture. Summer brings an explosion of cases. Tourists arrested for DWI after a night out in Montauk. Underage drinking on the beach. Shoplifting from Main Street boutiques. Disorderly conduct. The court sees it all, and they move cases fast.
Recognized by the community
Voted Best of Long Island by readers of BestOfLongIsland.com — alongside a New York Law Journal Trailblazer Award and a “Superb” Avvo rating held for over a decade.
Featured Trial Result
I represented a client charged with felony assault after a bar fight in East Hampton. Through thorough cross-examination of the witnesses and by challenging the inconsistencies in the police reports, I won a NOT GUILTY verdict from the jury.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Legal disclaimer
I represented a client charged with felony assault after a bar fight in East Hampton. Through thorough cross-examination of the witnesses and by challenging the inconsistencies in the police reports, I won a NOT GUILTY verdict from the jury.
I represented a client facing a felony theft charge. I won a motion to suppress evidence obtained during an illegal search, and the charge was dismissed. My client walked away with no criminal record.
I represented a client charged with drug possession and resolved the case through an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal. The case was sealed and dismissed after six months, leaving my client with a clean record.
I represented a client facing a serious felony robbery charge. Through negotiation with the Suffolk County District Attorney, I had the charge reduced to misdemeanor petit larceny. My client avoided prison time and a felony conviction.
I represented a client charged with criminal mischief for property damage. The prosecution failed to meet its constitutional speedy trial deadlines, and I secured a complete dismissal. No plea was required.
I represented a foreign national charged with third degree trespass. I secured an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, and the case was dismissed after six months. My client kept a clean record, protecting both his visa and his reputation.
I represented a client charged with violating an order of protection. I demonstrated that my client had a legitimate reason for the contact and that no willful violation occurred, and the charge was dismissed.
I represented a client facing a Second Degree Burglary indictment. Because of his prior criminal record, the District Attorney's office formally designated him as a persistent violent felony offender under New York Penal Law § 70.08, exposing him to a mandatory enhanced sentence carrying a maximum of life imprisonment. The prosecution took an absolute zero-plea-bargain stance, offering no alternative short of maximum state prison time.
About Attorney Edward Palermo
Office: 9 Willow Lane, East Hampton, NY 11937
Courts Served: East Hampton Town Justice Court, Suffolk County Court (Riverhead)
For over 31 years, I have defended clients in East Hampton and throughout the East End. I understand the local courts, the prosecutors, and how to get results for my clients. When you hire me, you get my personal commitment to your case. I will fight aggressively to protect your rights and your future.
My East Hampton office puts me minutes from the courthouse and in the same community as the clients I represent. East End cases move differently than they do in Central Islip or Riverhead. The town and village justice courts run on their own calendars, enforcement priorities shift sharply between the summer season and the rest of the year, and outcomes often turn on relationships built over decades of consistent local appearances. That familiarity is not something an attorney can develop by driving out from Nassau for a single court date.
I handle East End matters personally, from the first phone call through disposition. You will not be passed to a junior associate or an appearance attorney who has never met you. Whether your case stays in the local justice court or is elevated to Suffolk County Court in Riverhead, the same attorney who took your call is the one standing beside you in front of the judge.
If you are facing charges in East Hampton, Southampton, Sag Harbor, Montauk, or anywhere on the East End, contact me directly for a free consultation. The earlier I am involved, the more I can do to protect your license, your record, and your future.
Client Reviews
“I cannot say enough good things about Ed Palermo. He’s…”
I cannot say enough good things about Ed Palermo. He’s easy to talk to, always available to reach by text, very knowledgeable about the in’s and out’s of the law, respected by his peers, will do everything possible to help his client and he worked very hard to get me the resolution that I desired. His over 30 years of experience really shows when he is in the courtroom. By watching him, I could tell that he had the respect and the attention of every person there. He gets results. I’m so glad that I chose Ed to represent me. I would highly recommend Mr. Palermo to anyone who needs an attorney to represent them.
“Most people don’t realize that being a great attorney isn’t…”
Most people don’t realize that being a great attorney isn’t just about knowledge of the law but it’s also about relationships! I had a small matter that needed to be cleared up. I went on Google and looked at several different attorneys, -the one thing that was most important to me was how many years they have been in practice. Ed has been practicing law for over 30 years and has relationships with judges and district attorney’s all over Long Island. The kind of relationships that somebody just out of law school wishes they had and eventually might. Ed cleared up my legal matter in less then three-months because of those relationships and his knowledge of the law. Working with Ed was an absolute pleasure because he is available via text message which is extremely important in today’s fast-paced world. I was able to communicate with him what was happening in real time. It was nice not to have to call his office - leave a message with the receptionist and wait for a callback. I highly recommend Ed Palermo for any legal matter that falls under his expertise. He is the best!
“I only have good words for Mr. Palermo. He assisted…”
I only have good words for Mr. Palermo. He assisted me the same day that I was trying to find a good lawyer urgently. It is to recognize Mr. Palermo his good disposition for hear me on the 4th of July. From that day, everything evolved very smoothly and professionally and with a successful end to the case. Therefore, my most sincere congratulations for the good management of the case and my recommendation of Mr. Palermo to anyone who needs a good lawyer.
The charges I handle in East Hampton Town Court include:
DWI and DWAI: East Hampton sees a tremendous volume of DWI arrests, especially during summer months. Police patrol heavily along Montauk Highway, Route 27, and local roads leading to beaches and restaurants. Sobriety checkpoints. Late-night traffic stops. Many arrests happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the population explodes.
Assault and Domestic Violence: Crowded bars, alcohol, relationship disputes—assault charges are common in East Hampton. Simple assault. Aggravated assault. Harassment. Criminal contempt for violating orders of protection. These cases require careful handling because prosecutors take them seriously, especially in domestic violence contexts.
Petit Larceny and Shoplifting: Main Street shops, boutiques, grocery stores—shoplifting arrests happen regularly. What starts as a minor theft charge can snowball into bigger problems if you don’t have experienced counsel. Many first-time offenders don’t realize a guilty plea creates a permanent criminal record.
Drug Possession: Possession of marijuana, cocaine, prescription pills without authorization. Drug charges range from violations to felonies depending on the substance and quantity. I know how to challenge illegal searches and seizures that lead to drug arrests.
Criminal Mischief and Trespass: Property damage, graffiti, trespassing on private beaches or estates. These charges are more common than people think, especially during summer when visitors don’t always understand local property laws.
Burglary and Robbery: More serious felony charges that require immediate, aggressive representation. These cases often get moved to Suffolk County Court in Riverhead, but they start in East Hampton Town Court for arraignment and preliminary proceedings.
Every case is different, but my approach remains the same: investigate thoroughly, challenge weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and fight for the best possible outcome.
Investigation: I review every piece of evidence. Police reports. Arrest videos. Witness statements. In DWI cases, I examine breathalyzer calibration records, blood test procedures, and field sobriety test administration. I’m looking for mistakes, constitutional violations, and weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
Motion Practice: If the police violated your rights during the arrest or search, I file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges entirely. I’ve won cases this way before trial even starts.
Negotiation: I leverage my decades of experience with East End prosecutors to negotiate favorable outcomes. Reduced charges. Alternative sentencing. ACDs (Adjournments in Contemplation of Dismissal) that result in no criminal record if you stay out of trouble. Conditional discharges. I know what’s possible in this courthouse, and I know how to get it.
Trial: If we can’t reach a fair agreement, I take cases to trial. I’ve secured NOT GUILTY verdicts in assault cases, DWI cases, and other criminal matters throughout the East End. I know how to cross-examine police officers. I know how to present a defense. I’m not afraid to fight.
Why Experience in East Hampton Matters: East Hampton isn’t just another courthouse to me. I own a home here. I appear in this court regularly. I know the judges, the prosecutors, the court staff. I understand the seasonal dynamics—how summer brings an explosion of cases and how the court handles the volume. That local knowledge gives my clients an edge.
If you’ve been arrested in East Hampton, don’t wait. Call me directly at (631) 903-3733. You can text me anytime. I respond quickly, especially in urgent situations like post-arrest bail issues or upcoming court dates. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
I also maintain an office in East Hampton at 9 Willow Lane, making it convenient to meet in person if needed. Whether you’re a year-round resident, a seasonal visitor, or a tourist facing charges far from home, I’m here to help. Let me put my 31 years of East Hampton courtroom experience to work for you.
