Manhattan Violent Crimes & Assault Lawyer

A violent crime charge in Manhattan is one of the most serious accusations you can face. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office prosecutes these cases aggressively, seeking severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences. When your future is on the line, you need a defense attorney who not only understands the system but who has been a part of it at the highest levels.

At Townsend Law, we defend clients in Manhattan against assault, robbery, and other violent offense charges. Our founding attorney, Sarena Townsend, brings a rare and powerful perspective: she is a former prosecutor who once led the very units responsible for building these cases.

An Unmatched Advantage: A Former Violent Crimes Prosecutor on Your Side

Not all defense attorneys are created equal. Sarena Townsend’s background gives our clients a distinct strategic advantage.

Before founding Townsend Law, Ms. Townsend served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, where she was a leader in the Organized Crime, Violent Gangs, and Crime Control Units.

This means she has firsthand experience:

·      Prosecuting Violent Crimes: She knows the exact tactics and strategies the prosecution will use against you because she has used them herself.

·      Investigating Gang Assault & Robbery: She understands how law enforcement builds a case, from witness interviews to forensic evidence.

·      Identifying Weaknesses: Her primary job was to build airtight cases. She now uses that knowledge to find the fatal flaws, procedural errors, and constitutional violations in the prosecution's case against you.

This inside knowledge is not theoretical; it was earned in the trenches of the New York justice system.

Defending You Against Violent Crime Charges in Manhattan

We represent clients in Manhattan Supreme Court and Criminal Court facing all types of violent offense allegations, which often stem from:

·      Nightlife altercations in the Lower East Side, the Meatpacking District, or East Village

·      Disputes in subway stations or on public transport

·      Domestic incidents

·      Robberies or muggings

The stakes are high. A conviction for a violent felony in New York carries the threat of mandatory minimum prison sentences and a permanent criminal record that can destroy your career and reputation.

As an experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer New York residents trust, Sarena Townsend prepares every case for trial. This aggressive, trial-ready posture often forces the prosecution to offer a more favorable plea or leads to a full dismissal of the charges.

Our Violent Crimes & Assault Defense Practice

We provide a tenacious defense for all violent crime charges under the New York Penal Law, including:

·      Assault (Felony & Misdemeanor): Including Assault in the First, Second, or Third Degree.

·      Gang Assault: Highly complex cases often involving multiple defendants and complex evidence.

·      Robbery: Defending against First, Second, and Third Degree robbery charges.

·      Menacing & Stalking: Charges that are often subjective and require a deep investigation into the accuser's claims.

·      Strangulation: A serious charge often brought in domestic violence contexts.

·      Weapons Possession: Charges that are often filed alongside other violent offenses.

·      Kidnapping & Unlawful Imprisonment

Contact a Feared Advocate for Your Manhattan Case

Do not wait to build your defense. The prosecution is already building its case against you. If you or a loved one has been arrested for a violent crime in Manhattan, you need an attorney who prosecutors respect and fear.

Contact Townsend Law immediately for a confidential consultation. Put a former violent crimes prosecutor in your corner.

Criminal Defense Law New York

When your freedom, reputation, and future are on the line, you need more than just a lawyer. You need a fierce advocate who understands the New York criminal justice system from the inside out. At Townsend Law, we provide the aggressive, intelligent, and strategic criminal defense New York residents trust.

Led by Sarena Townsend, a former NYC prosecutor and the former Deputy Commissioner of internal affairs at Rikers Island, our firm possesses a unique and powerful advantage. With over 18 years of criminal law and investigatory experience, Ms. Townsend knows exactly how the prosecution builds a case and, more importantly, how to dismantle it.

A Former Prosecutor's Advantage in Your Defense

Only a former prosecutor truly knows the strategies, an-d weaknesses of the other side. Sarena Townsend spent a decade at the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, specializing in prosecuting complex cases, including sex crimes. She trained incoming prosecutors and knows the playbook they will use against you.

This inside knowledge is now your greatest asset. We leverage this experience to:

·      Anticipate the Prosecution: We analyze your case from the prosecutor's perspective, identifying potential challenges and building a defense that strikes at the weak points of their argument.

·      Negotiate from Strength: Prosecutors know and respect Ms. Townsend's trial-ready reputation. This allows us to negotiate from a position of power, often securing favorable plea bargains or a complete dismissal of charges before trial.

·      Dominate in the Courtroom: If a trial is necessary, you want a "feared adversary" by your side. Ms. Townsend is renowned for her strategic cross-examinations and relentless pursuit of justice in the courtroom.

Our Criminal Defense Practice Areas

Townsend Law offers tenacious representation for a wide range of criminal charges in New York, including:

·      Violent Crimes & Assault

·      Sex Crimes

·      Drug Offenses

·      White Collar Crimes

·      DUI/DWI

·      Theft & Larceny

·      Internal Investigations

We are also uniquely qualified to represent New York City employees, including DOC employees, in disciplinary actions and administrative trials (OATH).

Your Fight is Our Fight

We understand that you are fighting for your life and your career. At Townsend Law, we appreciate that more is on the line than just money. You need a shark, and you need Sarena Townsend.

We are committed to an aggressive, unabating representation from the moment you hire us. We will meticulously investigate your case, protect your rights, and fight for the best possible result, whether that is a pre-trial dismissal, a favorable plea, or a "not guilty" verdict at trial.

Book Your Consultation Today

Do not face the power of the New York criminal justice system alone. Contact Townsend Law now to book a consultation and put a former prosecutor on your side.