The Law Offices of Robert Schuster Secures Dismissal of Felony Domestic Violence Charges in Yonkers

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. - Aug. 23, 2013 - PRLog -- The Law Offices of Robert Schuster recently achieved a full dismissal pursuant to CPL 170.55 in its representation of a Yonkers man who had been charged with Assault and Strangulation in the 2^nd degree. The strangulation charge was a felony offense, with a maximum penalty of up to seven years in prison. Mr. Schuster’s client was arrested in connection with a domestic violence incident.

Domestic violence cases have the potential to cause upheaval throughout a person’s life. The defendant may not only be at risk of being ordered to pay steep fines and serve time in jail or prison, but also may be subject to a restraining order. Such an order can force the defendant to move out of the shared home, to avoid certain areas, refrain from contact with the alleged victim and perhaps even be cut off from any children the parties may have in common.

In addition to these consequences, the defendant’s immigration status was also in jeopardy, and a conviction in the case could have resulted in deportation. To make matters even more difficult, officers from the Yonkers police department had actually witnessed the incident. With such great odds stacked against the defendant, many people would have given up in such a situation. Instead, this person made the right choice by contacting The Law Offices of Robert Schuster for help.

Prior to entering practice as a Westchester criminal defense lawyer, Robert Schuster served as an assistant district attorney. His background in prosecuting serious criminal charges provides him with invaluable insight into how law enforcement agencies in the area work and how local prosecutors approach their cases. Over the course of his career, he has handled thousands of criminal cases for clients charged with a variety of different offenses, and this experience prepares him to take on even the most challenging cases for his clients.

By requesting a felony hearing and then engaging in skillful negotiation, Mr. Schuster was able to obtain an ultimate dismissal of all charges. Consequently, the client did not have to endure the stress and concern of taking the case to trial. Most importantly, the client was spared the risk of being sentenced to serve several years in prison and possibly being deported from the United States.

Domestic violence incidents in Westchester County and throughout New York frequently result in charges of assault, an offense described under New York Penal Code §120 as intentionally or recklessly causing injury to another person. The strangulation charge is a newer offense on the books in New York. The strangulation law was passed in 2010, and it gives prosecutors the power to file felony charges in cases that would previously have been filed as a misdemeanor assault. While the domestic violence laws do serve to punish abusers and help to prevent acts of violence in the home, they also frequently result in harsh sentences for people who are innocent and do not deserve the penalties they are receiving. To learn more about how Mr. Schuster addresses charges of assault, strangulation and other types of domestic violence offenses, visit The Law Offices of Robert Schuster online at WestchesterCriminalDefense.com (http://www.westchestercriminaldefense.com/)

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The Law Offices of Robert Schuster is a criminal defense law firm located at 344 East Main Street in Mount Kisco and serving clients throughout Westchester County and the surrounding areas of New York. Westchester criminal defense lawyer Robert Schuster is a former prosecutor with a track record that includes thousands of criminal cases and a 95% rate of success at trial.