Tenacious Defense for Violent Crime Charges in Manhattan
When you are facing a violent crime charge in Manhattan, the prosecution's case can seem like an unstoppable force. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office will use every resource to secure a conviction, and the police and investigators have already built what they believe is an airtight case.
But what if your defense attorney knew exactly where to find the flaws in their investigation?
At Townsend Law, we provide a strategic defense that starts by investigating the investigation. Our founding attorney, Sarena Townsend, possesses a rare and powerful background: she is a former NYC prosecutor who also served as the Deputy Commissioner of internal affairs and discipline at Rikers Island.
A Former Internal Affairs Chief's Insight on Your Side
Sarena Townsend’s experience goes beyond the courtroom. As the head of internal affairs, she was responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct, use of force, and procedural violations by law enforcement. She has reviewed tens of thousands of internal affairs matters and knows exactly how police officers and investigators cut corners, make mistakes, and violate protocol.
This inside knowledge is now your greatest strength. We dismantle the prosecution's case by identifying the errors that other defense lawyers might miss:
· Flawed Police Procedure: Was the "show-up" identification unnecessarily suggestive? Was the crime scene properly secured? Did officers violate your rights during interrogation? We know the rulebook because Ms. Townsend helped enforce it.
· Challenging Officer Credibility: A prosecutor's case is often built on the testimony of the arresting officers. We know how to use an officer's own internal disciplinary history (if any) and their on-scene conduct to destroy their credibility at trial.
· Suppressing Tainted Evidence: We aggressively challenge 4th Amendment violations, illegal searches of your person or home, and coerced statements. If the evidence was obtained illegally, we will fight to have it thrown out.
Fighting for Your Future in the Manhattan Courts
We provide a formidable defense for all violent crime charges in Manhattan, including assault, robbery, strangulation, and weapons possession. Many of these cases, especially those arising from disputes in a bar, domestic incidents, or street encounters, are not as simple as the DA claims. They often hinge on "he said, she said" testimony or questionable video evidence.
As an experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer New York residents trust, Sarena Townsend digs deeper. We find the surveillance footage the police didn't, interview the witnesses they ignored, and expose the biases in the prosecution's narrative.
We are not afraid to take your case to trial. This trial-ready posture gives us the leverage to negotiate for a full dismissal, a reduction to a non-criminal offense, or a favorable plea that protects your future.
Contact Us Before You Speak to Anyone Else
If you have been arrested or are being investigated for a violent crime in Manhattan, your first and only call should be to your defense. Do not speak to the police.
Contact Townsend Law immediately for a confidential consultation. Let us put our unique internal affairs and prosecutorial experience to work for you.