Criminal Defense Attorney in Rockland County, NY

Former Westchester County Prosecutor with 40+ Felony Trials Handled

Michael J. Borrelli spent years inside the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, including seven in the Superior Court Trial Division, before turning that institutional knowledge toward defending the accused. As the DA’s DWI Coordinator from 2007 to 2019, he trained every prosecutor and law enforcement officer in Westchester County on DWI law and procedure. That’s the background now working for you. With more than 30+ years of New York criminal defense experience, Michael represents clients throughout Rockland County facing charges ranging from first-offense DWAI to felony violent crimes.

The decisions made in the first hours after an arrest can shape the entire trajectory of a case: who argues bail at arraignment, whether a suppression motion gets filed in time, and whether evidence is preserved before it disappears. Early intervention matters. Our firm offers free consultations 24/7, day or night, weekends included, so you can reach Michael when it counts. Hablamos español.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in Rockland County, don’t wait. Call (914) 928-2766 now for a free, confidential consultation available any time of day or night.

What Sets Michael Borrelli Apart from Other Defense Attorneys in Rockland County?

Most criminal defense attorneys can tell you they’ve handled cases like yours. Fewer can tell you they helped build the prosecution system those cases run through. 

Former DWI Coordinator 

From 2007 to 2019, Michael served as the DWI Coordinator for the Westchester County District Attorney’s office. He was responsible for training every ADA and law enforcement officer in the county on New York DWI law, field sobriety testing protocols, and prosecution procedures. When Michael challenges a field sobriety test or a chemical test procedure, he’s evaluating it against the same standards he once taught.

Near-Perfect Felony Trial Record

Michael has handled more than 40 felony criminal trials, covering charges including murder, robbery, burglary, and attempted murder. That record reflects thousands of criminal cases and tens of thousands of traffic matters handled over a career that spans more than two decades of courtroom work in New York.

NHTSA Field Sobriety Certification

Michael completed the NHTSA DWI/SFST practitioner course (24 hours) and the NHTSA DWI/ARIDE course (16 hours). This is the same certification held by the law enforcement officers who administer these tests. That training means he can identify deviations from standardized protocols that a general practitioner is likely to miss, including improper clue scoring, non-compliant instruction sequences, and environmental factors that can affect results.

Judicial Appointment & CLE Recognition

Michael was appointed by Presiding Justice Hon. A. Gail Prudenti to serve on the Committees on Character and Fitness of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department. This is a judicial appointment held by very few practicing defense attorneys. He has also served as a guest speaker at continuing legal education programs for both attorneys and law enforcement on DWI Pringle Hearings, Hardship Hearings, and examination of DWI witnesses. He’s a member of the Westchester County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Personal Representation at Every Stage

Michael personally attends 99% of client court appearances. You hired him, not a junior associate, and he’s the one standing next to you when it matters. He also served as legal advisor to more than 20 police agencies and trained ADAs across Westchester County, which means he understands how those agencies operate and document their cases from the inside.

Criminal Charges We Defend in Rockland County

Felony charges in Rockland County are prosecuted by the Rockland County District Attorney’s office and heard in Rockland County Court or Supreme Court in New City. Misdemeanor and violation-level matters are handled in town and village justice courts throughout the county. 

Even charges that appear minor can produce a permanent criminal record in New York. New York’s Clean Slate Act now provides for the automatic sealing of many convictions after waiting periods of three years (misdemeanors) and eight years (felonies). Serious offenses, including sex crimes and most non-drug Class A felonies, remain permanently ineligible. The Law Offices of Michael J. Borrelli, P.L.L.C. represents clients across the full spectrum of misdemeanor and felony charges.

DUI & DWAI

DWI is among the most frequently contested charge types in New York, and for good reason. The stop, the field sobriety test administration, and the chemical test procedure are all legally challengeable. Our DUI lawyers in Rockland County, NY examine every element of how your stop was conducted and how evidence was collected. Michael’s SFST certification and his years as DWI Coordinator give him a precise lens for identifying procedural deviations that can weaken the prosecution’s case.

Drug Charges

Possession, distribution, and trafficking charges often turn on the legality of the search that produced the evidence. Our drug possession lawyer in Rockland County, NY can scrutinize the circumstances of the stop or search and challenge any conduct that violated your Fourth Amendment rights. A successful suppression motion can remove key prosecution evidence.

Assault & Violent Crimes

Assault charges can arise from disputed altercations where context and witness credibility are everything. Our assault defense lawyers in Rockland County, NY analyze the evidence against you, evaluate self-defense and justification arguments, and identify weaknesses in how the prosecution has framed the incident.

Theft & Property Crimes

Larceny, shoplifting, fraud, and burglary charges carry consequences well beyond the immediate penalties. Employment background checks, professional licensing boards, and housing applications all flag criminal records. Our larceny defense work focuses on challenging intent, disputing identification, and examining the evidentiary basis for the charge.

Domestic Violence Allegations

A domestic violence accusation triggers immediate legal consequences: protective orders, restricted access to your home, and potential impact on custody matters, before any conviction occurs. Our domestic violence attorney in Rockland County, NY provides discreet, strategic defense that addresses both the criminal charge and the collateral proceedings it can set in motion.

Probation Violations

A probation violation hearing can result in incarceration even for someone who has otherwise stayed out of trouble. We work to present compliance efforts, context, and any procedural flaws in how the violation was alleged or processed.

Other Criminal Offenses

Our firm also defends clients against traffic violations, sex crimes, weapons offenses, white-collar crimes, and more. Every client receives direct attention and a defense built around the specific facts of their charge under New York Penal Law.

How a Criminal Case Moves Through Rockland County Courts

Knowing what’s coming at each stage removes one source of uncertainty. Here’s what the process looks like and where Michael’s involvement makes the most difference.

Arrest & Processing

An arrest by the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, a local police department, or New York State Police leads to booking at a local precinct or county facility: fingerprinting, photographing, and processing. Exercise your right to remain silent. Statements made without counsel present can be used by the prosecution; invoking your right to an attorney stops questioning at that point.

Arraignment

Arraignment typically follows within 24 hours of arrest. Formal charges are read, a plea is entered, and bail or release conditions are addressed. Under New York’s bail reform laws, many misdemeanor and nonviolent felony charges are not bail-eligible. For those that are, early attorney involvement can affect the outcome of that hearing. Michael personally appears at arraignments for his clients.

Pre-Trial Motions & Discovery

Under CPL Article 245, New York prosecutors must disclose evidence early and broadly. That material becomes the foundation for pre-trial motions: suppression motions challenging unlawful stops, improper searches, or constitutional violations that can reduce or eliminate the prosecution’s evidence. Michael reviews every element of the prosecution’s file for procedural vulnerabilities before any plea or trial decision is made.

Plea Negotiations

Most criminal cases in New York are resolved before trial through negotiated pleas or dismissal. The outcome of those negotiations depends heavily on the strength of the pre-trial defense position: what motions have been filed, what evidence has been challenged, and what the prosecution believes will happen at trial. Honest guidance on the real risks and realistic outcomes is part of every client conversation.

Trial & Sentencing

Felony trials in Rockland County are heard in Rockland County Court or Supreme Court in New City. If your case goes to trial, Michael has the record to back the decision: more than 40 felony trials. If sentencing follows, New York’s Penal Law sentencing structures include options for probation, conditional discharge, and community service depending on the charge and criminal history, and we advocate for every available alternative.

Rockland County Courts We’ve Worked In

Felony matters in Rockland County are heard at the county courthouse in New City, which houses the Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, and Surrogate’s Court. Misdemeanor and violation charges are handled in town and village justice courts across the county.

We represent clients in all Rockland County courts. You can see a full list here.

The Cost of Waiting After an Arrest

Surveillance footage has retention limits. Witness recollections shift within days. Phone records and other digital evidence can become inaccessible without a timely preservation request. In Rockland County, arraignment can occur within 24 hours of arrest. That means bail arguments, the first formal moment where an attorney’s presence can change the outcome, happen fast.

The collateral consequences of a conviction don’t wait for sentencing either. Employment, housing applications, professional licenses, and immigration status are all affected from the moment a guilty plea or conviction is entered. Contacting a criminal defense attorney in Rockland County immediately after an arrest isn’t just about the charge. It’s about protecting everything that charge could affect. Michael is reachable 24/7, including weekends, because arrests don’t follow business hours.

Rockland County Criminal Defense FAQ

Do I Need a Lawyer if I Think the Charges Against Me Are Minor?

Yes. In New York, most criminal convictions create a record that can follow you for years. Even a petty larceny or first-offense DWAI can affect employment, housing, and professional licenses. An attorney can identify dismissal opportunities, procedural defects, or diversion programs that a self-represented defendant is unlikely to spot and may help resolve the case more favorably as a result.

What Should I Do if the Police Want to Question Me?

Invoke your right to remain silent and your right to counsel immediately, and don’t say anything further until you’ve spoken with an attorney. Anything said to law enforcement without counsel present can be used by the prosecution. Invoking those rights isn’t an admission of guilt. It’s the most protective step you can take in that moment.

Can My Charges Be Dismissed Before Trial?

Yes, in some cases. Charges may be dismissed for insufficient evidence, constitutional violations such as an unlawful stop or improper search, or procedural defects in how the case was processed. Suppression motions are a standard pre-trial tool, and the outcome of those motions shapes everything that follows, including what the prosecution is willing to negotiate.

Will My Case Go to Trial?

Most criminal cases in New York are resolved before trial through negotiated pleas or dismissal. That said, trial preparation still matters: the strength of the defense’s pre-trial position determines what the prosecution is willing to offer. If trial is the right path, Michael has tried more than 40 felony cases. 

Will the Attorney I Speak to Be the One Handling My Case?

Yes. Michael personally attends 99% of client court appearances and handles your case directly. You won’t be passed off to a junior associate after the initial consultation. Free consultations are available at no obligation, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

To speak directly with Michael about your case, call (914) 928-2766 now. Your consultation is free, confidential, and available 24/7.