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 Arrested in , You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
I know how scary it is to see blue lights flashing in your rearview mirror. Whether you were stopped on a local road, at a checkpoint, or leaving an event, you need an attorney who knows and the local court system.
I am Edward Palermo, and for over 31 years, I have defended clients in and throughout the East End. I understand the local courts, the prosecutors, and how to get results for my clients.
When you call my personal cell at (631) 903-3733, you get me directly—24/7. No secretaries, no delays. I treasure my clients and will fight aggressively to protect your rights.
Your reputation matters. Your freedom matters. And I am here to protect both.
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
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 Brooklyn resident, a successful real estate broker, facing DWI charges on Long Island. The District Attorney refused to reduce the charge to a non-criminal violation because of a prior DWI arrest. I identified a procedural flaw in the prosecution's handling of the case and filed a motion to dismiss. The court granted the motion in its entirety and the case was dismissed completely, protecting his professional license and livelihood.
A successful real estate professional from Brooklyn owned a second home on Shelter Island. One night, driving on the island, he was arrested for DWI, and the case landed in Shelter Island Town Justice Court. He came to me terrified about one thing above all: his professional license and the career he had spent years building. A conviction could have ended it.
The situation was difficult. He had a prior DWI arrest on his record, so the District Attorney refused to reduce the charge to a non-criminal violation. Most attorneys would have told him to take the best plea he could get and hope for the best.
I do not work that way. I went through the prosecution’s handling of the case line by line, and I found a flaw serious enough to challenge the entire prosecution. I filed a motion to dismiss. The motion was granted in its entirety, and the case was completely dismissed. No conviction. No mark on his record. His license and his future stayed intact.
When your career depends on the outcome, you do not want a lawyer who negotiates from weakness. You want one who knows this island’s court, reads every page, and finds the flaw the prosecution missed.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Legal disclaimer
I represented a client in Northport Village Court charged with aggravated DWI on a chemical reading in excess of .20, well above the .18 aggravated threshold and the kind of number that gives most people little hope. Drawing on my familiarity with that court and the Suffolk prosecutors who cover it, I was able to negotiate a reduction all the way down to driving while ability impaired, the non-criminal traffic infraction.
I represented a client in Riverhead Town Justice Court charged with driving while intoxicated under VTL 1192(2), on a chemical reading of .17. That is a number most people assume leaves no room to work with. It sits just under the .18 aggravated threshold, and the Suffolk County District Attorney's office rarely agrees to reduce a charge at that level. Getting a reduction on a reading like that in this particular courthouse is harder still, because in Riverhead the deal does not end with the prosecutor.
I represented a practicing attorney in Suffolk County facing felony Aggravated DWI and Leandra's Law charges after being stopped with a child passenger in the vehicle. Her blood alcohol reading was elevated, and the state was aggressively pursuing a felony conviction that could have triggered disbarment, the loss of her law license, and possible state prison time.
I represented a New Jersey businessman charged with DWI in Suffolk County. He faced criminal exposure in New York and licensing consequences at home in New Jersey. I negotiated a reduction of the criminal charges to a non-criminal traffic violation, fully protecting his record in both states.
I represented a medical doctor charged with DWI in Suffolk County. A criminal conviction would have triggered mandatory reporting to the New York State Board of Professional Medical Conduct and threatened his medical license. I negotiated a reduction to a simple traffic infraction, ensuring no negative impact on his career or licensing.
I represented a Pennsylvania businessman charged with DWI in Suffolk County. I negotiated a favorable resolution reducing the charge to a single traffic violation, protecting him from both New York criminal exposure and Pennsylvania licensing penalties.
About Attorney Edward Palermo
I have 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 trial defense and DWI defense across Nassau County, Suffolk County, and the East End.
I appear regularly in the Nassau County Court in Mineola defending serious felony indictments, the First District Court in Hempstead handling misdemeanor offenses, the Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip handling Suffolk County misdemeanors and lower felonies, the Suffolk County Court in Riverhead for serious felony and DWI matters, and local village and town justice courts across the East End from Westhampton through Montauk. I know the prosecutors, the judges, and the distinct court culture in each jurisdiction. That knowledge comes only from decades of consistent daily courtroom presence.
My trial experience matters. I have secured not guilty verdicts in complex felony cases including First Degree Assault, First Degree Robbery, Second Degree Burglary charged as a persistent violent felony offender, First Degree Rape, felony sexual assault, and DWI accidents. I have negotiated favorable, non-custodial outcomes in cases where clients faced state prison time. I have successfully gotten serious felony charges reduced and dismissed when prosecutors were certain they held airtight cases.
But what I am 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
“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.
When you are facing criminal charges in Sag Harbor, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who knows the local court system and will fight aggressively to protect your rights.
I am Ed Palermo, and for over 31 years, I have exclusively dedicated my practice to defending people accused of crimes. I know the prosecutors, the judges, and the procedures that will affect your case.
When you hire me, you get my personal cell: (631) 903-3733. I answer personally, 24/7.
I treasure my clients and will do everything in my power to get you the best possible result.
If you are facing criminal charges in Sag Harbor, I provide comprehensive defense for Penal Law offenses.
I defend assault, drug crimes, theft, and all criminal matters in Sag Harbor.
Yes. Your license can be suspended at arraignment and again if convicted. Refusing a chemical test triggers an automatic one-year revocation through the DMV, separate from criminal penalties. I fight to protect your driving privileges at both criminal court and DMV hearings simultaneously.
DWI arrests within Sag Harbor Village are typically heard at Sag Harbor Village Justice Court at 55 Main Street, 2nd Floor. Because Sag Harbor straddles two towns, arrests outside the village — especially on Route 114 — may be prosecuted at East Hampton Town Justice Court or Southampton Town Justice Court. Felony DWI charges may be transferred to Suffolk County Court in Riverhead.
A DWI conviction remains on your criminal record permanently unless eligible for sealing. On your driving record, a DWI counts as a "prior" for 10 years — a second DWI within 10 years becomes a felony. I work to avoid convictions altogether or negotiate reductions that minimize the long-term impact.
This is common, especially during summer. You need a local attorney who knows Sag Harbor Village Justice Court. I can handle most court appearances on your behalf. My East Hampton office at 9 Willow Lane is minutes from the court. Contact me immediately so all deadlines — including the DMV refusal hearing deadline — are met.
Almost never without consulting an experienced DWI attorney first. Many DWI cases have viable defenses — illegal traffic stops, improperly administered field sobriety tests, uncalibrated breath testing equipment, procedural violations. Even when evidence seems strong, I can often negotiate a reduction. I offer a free consultation to review your case before you make any decisions.
