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
Why Thousands of Long Islanders Choose pure Criminal Defense Lawyers, never prosecutors, in Nassau County
An arrest in Nassau County places you in the crosshairs of one of the most aggressive prosecutorial jurisdictions in New York State. Whether you are dealing with an investigation by the Nassau County Police Department, a precinct detective squad, or state troopers, you are facing a system that often pushes for severe penalties. I am Ed Palermo, and for over 31 years, I have stood between my clients and the state in Nassau County courtrooms, protecting records, reputations, and futures.
You need a career defense attorney. Prosecutors are always prosecutors. I could never put people in cages
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
Award Winning Nassau
Criminal Defense
31+ Years of Criminal Law Experience: Voted Best Lawyer on Long Island for 7 years in the prestigious FourLeaf (formerly Bethpage Federal Credit Union) Best of Long Island competition. Proven Results: 100's of clients represented in Nassau County courts since 1994. Local Expertise: Direct experience in Hempstead District Court and Mineola County Court.
Fighting Harder for
Your Freedom
I treat every client like family. I understand that a criminal charge in Nassau County is a life-altering event. I will do everything in my power to challenge the evidence, protect your rights, and secure the best possible outcome for your future.
Direct Access to
Your Attorney
You will never be handed off to an associate. All of my clients receive my personal cell phone number. Whether your case is in Long Beach City Court or Mineola, I am available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide peace of mind.
Speak Directly
To Ed Palermo
Don't wait to start your defense. Nassau County prosecutors are aggressive, and early intervention is critical. We offer free initial consultations for all Nassau County criminal matters. Call or text today to discuss your case strategy.
Nassau County maintains some of the strictest, most unyielding DWI plea-bargaining guidelines in New York State. If you are facing a drunk driving charge, a general defense strategy is not enough. You need to review the specific legal protocols handled by a dedicated Nassau County DWI lawyer who understands how the District Attorney’s vehicular crimes bureau operates.
From larceny offenses, drug offenses, assault offenses, criminal mischief offenses and domestic disputes to major felony charges, navigating the Nassau court system requires deep local familiarity. As a 7-time Best Lawyer on Long Island winner, I personally handle every facet of your case. You do not get passed off to a junior associate, you get my 31+ years of pure courtroom defense experience and direct access to my personal cell phone whenever you need answers.
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 high-earning financial professional in Nassau County who was falsely accused of a Class D felony sexual assault stemming from historical allegations raised by a stepdaughter. My client faced up to 7 years in state prison. The prosecution and the lead detective were heavily motivated, convinced of my client's guilt, and pursued maximum prison exposure.
Throughout the pre-trial litigation and hearings, the detective was dismissive and condescending, relying on a deeply biased narrative pushed by my client’s ex-wife. Refusing to settle for a career-destroying plea bargain, I pushed the case to a full jury trial in the Mineola County Court. On cross-examination, I caught the lead detective in a critical error and confronted him on the stand in front of the jury, shattering his credibility as the state’s evidence unraveled. The Nassau County jury returned a unanimous NOT GUILTY verdict on all counts, completely clearing my client’s name and preserving his professional career.
When your reputation, professional license, and liberty are on the line, passive defense is not an option. Text my cell directly 24/7 to put an experienced trial lawyer in your corner.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Legal disclaimer
I represented a client charged with the armed robbery of a Nassau County business, prosecuted in the Nassau County Courthouse in Mineola. He faced up to 25 years in prison. I negotiated a Youthful Offender adjudication, and my client was released from jail after serving only 240 days.
I represented a high-earning financial professional in Nassau County who was falsely accused of a Class D felony sexual assault stemming from historical allegations raised by a stepdaughter. My client faced up to 7 years in state prison. The prosecution and the lead detective were heavily motivated, convinced of my client's guilt, and pursued maximum prison exposure.
I represented a young MRI technician in Nassau County District Court facing a serious allegation of forcible touching by a patient. My client maintained his complete innocence, so I rejected the District Attorney's plea offer and took the case to trial. The verdict was NOT GUILTY, and my client's career and life were restored.
I represented a client charged with multiple felonies for fraudulent credit card purchases, facing up to 7 years in state prison. I negotiated a reduction to a disorderly conduct violation in the Nassau County Felony Screening Part. No criminal conviction, no jail time, no probation, and my client's clean record was protected.
I represented a client charged with multiple felony counts for firing a firearm in a crowded Nassau County neighborhood, prosecuted in the Nassau County Courthouse in Mineola. My client maintained his innocence. After evaluating the evidence, including cell phone records, I prepared him to testify before a Nassau County Grand Jury. He testified flawlessly, the Grand Jury issued a No True Bill, and the case was dismissed.
I represented a client facing a felony loaded weapon charge in the Nassau County Courthouse in Mineola, with exposure of up to 15 years in prison and a minimum of three and a half years if convicted. I negotiated a misdemeanor with no jail time. Nassau County is very tough on gun cases, and experience matters when you are accused of gun charges here.
Meet Ed Palermo
I’ve dedicated over 31 years to criminal defense, representing more than 2,000 Long Island residents facing charges ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. My practice focuses exclusively on high-stakes criminal defense and DWI cases in Nassau County courts, Suffolk County courts, and throughout Long Island.
I appear regularly in the Nassau County District Court in Hempstead handling misdemeanor offenses, the Nassau County Court in Mineola defending serious felony indictments, and local village and town justice courts across Nassau County. I know the prosecutors, the judges, and the distinct court culture in each jurisdiction, knowledge that comes only from decades of consistent, daily courtroom presence.
My trial experience matters. I’ve secured “not guilty” verdicts in complex cases. I’ve negotiated favorable, non-custodial outcomes in cases where clients faced state prison time. I’ve successfully gotten serious felony charges reduced and dismissed when prosecutors were certain they held air-tight cases.
But what I’m most proud of is how my clients feel after our first conversation. That initial crushing wave of panic transforms into absolute confidence once they realize they have an experienced advocate who knows exactly how to dismantle the District Attorney’s case.
Client Reviews
“Edward was very knowledgable, kept the process simple and protected…”
Edward was very knowledgable, kept the process simple and protected my interest with professionalism.
“I highly recommend my lawyer! He was able to get…”
I highly recommend my lawyer! He was able to get my charge reduced from a misdemeanor to a traffic violation. He always took the time to explain what was going to happen at each court date, and everything played out exactly how he said it would. Very knowledgeable and great at what he does. If anyone is looking for a reliable and effective lawyer, he’s the one to go to!
“Ed is a great lawyer!”
Ed is a great lawyer! Very intelligent and with his 30+ years experience really gives him upper hand on trials and other criminal cases. Highly recommend him.
“Ed did an AMAZING job for me. I got my…”
Ed did an AMAZING job for me. I got my 2nd DWI within 7 years...driving with a revoked license from the first DWI. I had 5 charges at all thrown at me. Ed managed to get me the greatest deal. Only charge was DWI (which I deserved). Unreal. Thanks Ed!!!;
“I cannot recommend Mr. Edward Palermo highly enough. I was…”
I cannot recommend Mr. Edward Palermo highly enough. I was facing both a DWI charge and a refusal to blow, and it was one of the scariest times of my life. I didn’t know what to expect, but from the very beginning, Mr. Palermo treated me like a person, not just another case!!! He answered every call, text, and question I had without judgment and with total patience and support. He is extremely knowledgeable and respected in the courtroom, exactly what you need when you're dealing with something this serious. He truly cared about me and was fully focused on getting the best possible outcome. The District Attorney was adamant about giving me probation, but Mr. Palermo wouldn’t give up. He fought hard for me, and because of his commitment, I received a conditional discharge with no probation, something I didn’t think was even possible. If you're fighting a DWI or a refusal case and need someone who knows the system, will stand by you, and fight for you til the end, Mr. Palermo is the attorney you want in your corner! I can’t thank you enough Mr. Palermo!!!!
“...Thanks to his services, I am living a much better life...”
Edward was nothing but a true professional when helping me with my situation. Thanks to his services, I am living a much better life. Thank you.
When you are arrested in Nassau County, the sudden reality of a criminal charge can completely paralyze you with panic, confusion, and overwhelming shame. Whether you are a high-earning professional with an entire career at stake or a citizen facing your very first encounter with law enforcement, an arrest can instantly make you feel like your life is unraveling. I need you to take a deep breath: this is not the end of your world, and an aggressive, proven path to a favorable outcome is on the horizon.
For more than 31 years, the first phone call or text message to my office has brought clients an immediate sense of profound relief. I refuse to judge you, lecture you, or pass blame. My singular mission is to absorb your anxiety, ground you in facts, and build a defense shield between you and the Nassau County District Attorney’s office. I practice heavily and equally across both Nassau and Suffolk Counties every single week, frequently managing conferences and securing critical bail modifications in both jurisdictions on the very same morning. When you put a lifelong criminal trial attorney in your corner, that heavy weight transfers entirely off your shoulders.
Do not face motivated prosecutors alone. Tap the button below to text my personal cell phone directly. The moment I respond, you will have a clear, elite strategy to protect your freedom and your future.
Nassau County judges and prosecutors enforce aggressive criminal penalties, particularly when charges involve professional licenses or high-exposure felony tiers. Protecting an elite medical or financial career requires an advocate who knows exactly how to expose corrupt forensic evidence, biased witness motivations, and investigative corner-cutting by local precincts. My entire criminal defense approach is engineered to identify the precise flaws in the prosecution’s file to negotiate non-jail dispositions, force major reductions, or win complete acquittals at trial.
| Professional License & Career Protection | Defending physicians, radiologists, executives, and financial professionals facing catastrophic allegations. We focus on preventing criminal convictions and devastating sex offense registrations (SORA) that trigger permanent career termination. |
| Felony & Violent Crime Trials | Deploying aggressive pre-trial litigation in Mineola to tear down flawed police tactics, and completely expose state witnesses in front of local juries. |
| High-Volume Hempstead Dispositions | Intervening rapidly during District Court arraignments to manage bail conditions, fight immediate protection orders, and map out strategies to defend, dismiss or reduce criminal charges. |
Unlike corporate marketing firms that look at Nassau County from afar, my local office is situated right on Franklin Avenue in Mineola, literally blocks from the active courtrooms. I am 100% dedicated to criminal trial defense—never diluting my focus with personal injury or family law tracks. I spend my life in these trenches, maintaining a powerful, respected presence across all primary Nassau jurisdictions:
Long Island Defense Index: Facing cross-county investigations or specialized vehicle stops? Examine our master tactical playbook for Long Island Criminal Defense or access our strategic asset for beating Long Island DWI Charges.
I refuse to pass your life-altering crisis off to a paralegal, an intake clerk, or a junior associate who has never selected a jury or cross-examined a hostile detective. When you call or text my firm, you deal directly with me. I personally design your defense layout, I command the courtroom, and I use my decades-long local reputation among Nassau personnel to secure your best possible resolution. Every single client I accept receives my personal cell phone number for continuous, 24/7 strategic access.
Let’s put the panic and shame behind you. Let’s get to work on protecting your name, your family, and your livelihood. Text my personal line right now, tell me exactly what happened, and feel the immediate relief of an elite defense taking over your file.
CLICK HERE TO TEXT MY PERSONAL CELL: (631) 903-3733
Legal Authority & Author Attribution: The Nassau County court frameworks, case strategies, and trial-defense data on this page have been directly authored, reviewed, and verified by Edward Palermo, Esq., a premier Long Island criminal defense attorney with 31+ years of daily trial experience across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Recognized as a 7-time Best Lawyer on Long Island winner, Mr. Palermo operates a dedicated defense practice blocks from the Mineola courthouses. Page last updated: May 2026.
A: Nassau County criminal cases are handled in several different courts depending on the severity of the charge. Misdemeanor cases are typically heard in the District Courts located in Hempstead, Mineola, and other locations throughout the county. Felony cases are handled in Nassau County Court, which is located in Mineola at 262 Old Country Road. Village and Town Justice Courts, like Hempstead First District Court and Long Beach City Court, handle violations and some misdemeanors. I appear regularly in all of these Nassau County courthouses and know the judges, prosecutors, and procedures in each one.
A: The Nassau County DA's Office is one of the most well-staffed and aggressive prosecutor's offices on Long Island. They handle everything from misdemeanors to serious felonies, and they have specialized bureaus for different types of crimes including domestic violence, narcotics, and major crimes. I've been dealing with Nassau County prosecutors for over 31 years. I know the assistant district attorneys, their supervisors, and how they approach different types of cases. That familiarity helps when it comes time to negotiate plea agreements or prepare for trial.
A: Your arraignment is your first court appearance after being arrested. The judge will read the charges against you, you'll enter a plea (usually not guilty), and the judge will set bail or release you on your own recognizance. In Nassau County, arraignments happen quickly—often within 24 hours of arrest. Having an attorney with you at arraignment is critical. I can argue for lower bail or release without bail, and I can start reviewing the prosecution's case immediately. Text me right away if you've been arrested: (631) 903-3733.
A: Yes, but it depends on the facts of your case. I've gotten cases dismissed in Nassau County through several methods: motions to dismiss based on speedy trial violations, trial verdicts, and through negotiated Adjournments in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACODs) where the case gets dismissed after six months if you stay out of trouble. Every case is different, but I always look for grounds to dismiss charges before we even consider plea negotiations.
A: An ACD (Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal) is an agreement where the prosecution puts your case on hold for six months. If you stay out of trouble during that time and meet certain conditions, the case is dismissed and sealed. ACDs are available in Nassau County for certain misdemeanors and violations, particularly for first-time offenders. I've negotiated ACDs for clients charged with petit larceny, marijuana possession, criminal mischief, and other offenses. An ACD means no criminal record and no conviction.
A: It depends on the charge and the court. Misdemeanor cases in Nassau District Court typically take 3-6 months from arraignment to resolution, though some resolve faster through early plea negotiations. Felony cases in Nassau County Court take longer—usually 6-12 months or more if the case goes to trial. The key is having an attorney who moves your case efficiently while still thoroughly investigating and preparing your defense. I know how to push cases forward when it benefits you and how to slow things down when we need more time to build your defense.
A: Misdemeanor convictions in Nassau County can result in up to one year in jail, probation, fines, community service, and a permanent criminal record. Class A misdemeanors (like assault, petit larceny, and criminal possession of a controlled substance) carry the most serious penalties. Class B misdemeanors carry up to 90 days in jail. But jail time isn't automatic—many first-time offenders avoid jail entirely through skilled negotiation. I focus on getting charges reduced, securing alternative sentences like conditional discharges, or winning dismissals outright.
A: Almost never. The first plea offer is rarely the best offer you'll get. Prosecutors start high and expect negotiation. I've been dealing with Nassau County prosecutors for over 31 years, and I know how to negotiate better deals. Sometimes that means getting charges reduced. Sometimes it means getting jail time taken off the table. Sometimes it means securing an ACD or conditional discharge instead of a conviction. Don't accept the first offer without consulting an experienced defense attorney who knows the Nassau County system.
A: Stay calm, be polite to police, and immediately invoke your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney. Do not answer questions without a lawyer present, no matter how friendly the police seem. Do not consent to searches. Call me as soon as you can: (631) 903-3733. I'm available 24/7, and I respond quickly to arrest calls. The sooner I get involved, the better I can protect your rights and start building your defense.
A: Yes. Even a misdemeanor conviction creates a permanent criminal record that can affect employment, housing, professional licenses, immigration status, and background checks. Many people think misdemeanors are "no big deal," but they're wrong. A misdemeanor conviction follows you for life. I've represented clients charged with petit larceny, marijuana possession, assault, harassment, criminal mischief, and other misdemeanors in Nassau County. In many cases, I've gotten charges reduced to violations or dismissed entirely, leaving clients with no criminal record.
