Long Island's Premier Criminal & DWI Defense Law Firm
Hempstead Criminal Defense Lawyer
Hochhauser Criminal & DWI Defense is at 164 Jackson Street in Hempstead — a short distance from the Nassau County District Court at 99 Main Street. If you were arrested in Hempstead or anywhere in Nassau County, your case is being heard in this neighborhood, and so is your lawyer.
A Former Nassau County Prosecutor
Richard Hochhauser began his career as a prosecutor in Nassau County. He handled these charges from the other side, in these courtrooms, before the same judges.
That background is not a line on a résumé. It is a working knowledge of how a Nassau County case is built, where the pressure points are, and what an assistant district attorney is actually authorized to do when the right argument is put in front of them.
Why Being Local Matters More Than People Expect
Criminal cases in Nassau County are not resolved in a single dramatic hearing. They are resolved across many short appearances — a conference here, a motion return date there, a conversation in a hallway that shapes an offer. Being minutes from 99 Main Street means appearing on short notice, walking a document over, and catching a prosecutor before a calendar call rather than after it.
Charges We Defend
DWI and DWAI
Breath test results, field sobriety testing, the legality of the stop, and chemical test refusals. A DWI arrest also triggers a license process on its own deadlines, separate from the criminal case.
Drug charges
Possession and sale, from small quantities through felony weight. Many of these turn on the search — whether the stop was lawful, whether consent was valid, whether the paperwork survives contact with the video.
Domestic violence and assault
These move fast and carry an order of protection that can put you out of your own home before anything is proven.
Larceny and shoplifting
Petit and grand larceny, including retail cases from malls across Nassau County. Often eligible for outcomes that avoid a conviction entirely — but only if that is pursued.
Weapons charges
New York’s firearms statutes are unforgiving, and a charge that would be minor elsewhere is a serious felony here. Some are bail-qualifying offenses.
Suspended license and traffic crimes
Aggravated unlicensed operation is a criminal charge, not a ticket, and it compounds. Left unaddressed, a stack of suspensions becomes a felony.
How a Nassau County Case Actually Moves
Clients are often surprised by the rhythm of a criminal case.
Arraignment
The court sets the conditions of your release, and the case is officially underway.
Conferences and discovery
Spaced weeks apart, while the prosecution turns over its material on a statutory schedule and the defense reviews what the case is actually built on.
Motions and hearings
Where there is a basis to challenge a search, a stop, a statement, or an identification, motions are filed and hearings are held.
Resolution or trial
A negotiated disposition on terms informed by everything that came before — or a trial.
The long stretches between appearances are not dead time. They are when video is obtained, witnesses are located, and records are subpoenaed — when the case against you either gets stronger or falls apart. What your lawyer does in those weeks is most of what determines the outcome.
The Courts Around Hempstead
Nassau County District Court
99 Main Street
Hempstead, NY 11550
(516) 493-4200
The county’s main criminal courthouse. Misdemeanors, violations and infractions, plus preliminary jurisdiction over felonies. Hours 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Nassau County Court
262 Old Country Road
Mineola, NY 11501
Felony cases after indictment, in the same complex as the District Attorney’s office.
Hempstead Village Court
99 James A. Garner Way
Hempstead, NY 11550
(516) 489-3400
Village-level matters, including many traffic and local ordinance cases.
Nassau County Correctional Center
100 Carman Avenue
East Meadow, NY 11554
(516) 572-4200
Where people are held pre-arraignment and pending resolution.
The court’s administrative First, Second, Third and Fourth Districts are not separate buildings — all District Court matters are handled at Main Street.
Questions Worth Asking Any Criminal Lawyer
You are making an important decision quickly, under pressure, and probably for the first time. A few questions separate a serious answer from a sales pitch:
- Will you personally handle my case, or will it be passed to someone else once I sign?
- How often do you appear in the Nassau County District Court?
- What is the realistic range of outcomes here — not the best case, the range?
- What is the fee, what does it cover, and what is billed separately?
- What do you need from me, and what should I be doing this week?
Be wary of anyone who promises a specific result at a first meeting. No honest lawyer can guarantee an outcome, and the ones who imply otherwise are telling you something about how they practice.
Communities Served
From the Hempstead office, the firm represents people arrested throughout Nassau County — Hempstead, West Hempstead, Garden City, Uniondale, Roosevelt, Freeport, Baldwin, Rockville Centre, Franklin Square, Elmont, Valley Stream, Levittown, East Meadow, Westbury, Mineola, Merrick, Bellmore, Massapequa, Oceanside, Long Beach, Hicksville, Great Neck, Port Washington and Glen Cove — as well as Suffolk County and federal matters in the Eastern District of New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the criminal courthouse in Hempstead, NY?
The Nassau County District Court is at 99 Main Street, Hempstead, NY 11550, phone (516) 493-4200. It handles misdemeanors, violations and infractions, and the preliminary stages of felony cases, for all of Nassau County. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes. Consultations are free and confidential whether or not you retain the firm, and you speak directly with an attorney. Call (516) 939-1529.
Does it matter if my lawyer is local to Nassau County?
Nassau County criminal cases are resolved across many short appearances rather than one hearing, so an attorney who practices regularly at 99 Main Street can appear on short notice and knows the judges and prosecutors handling the calendar. Richard Hochhauser is a former Nassau County prosecutor with an office at 164 Jackson Street in Hempstead, near the courthouse.
What areas does the firm serve?
The firm represents people arrested throughout Nassau County, including Hempstead, West Hempstead, Garden City, Uniondale, Freeport, Rockville Centre, Elmont, Valley Stream, Levittown, East Meadow, Westbury, Mineola, Massapequa, Long Beach and Hicksville, as well as Suffolk County and federal cases in the Eastern District of New York.
Related Pages
Just arrested?
The first 24 hours after a Nassau County arrest, and the mistakes that cost people cases.
Arraignment and bail
What the judge decides in those few minutes, and how bail actually works in New York.
Felony cases in Mineola
Grand jury, indictment, and the Nassau County Court at 262 Old Country Road.
Client reviews
What people who have been through this say about working with the firm.
Speak With a Former Nassau County Prosecutor
Consultations are free and confidential. You will speak with an attorney, not a screener.
Hochhauser Criminal & DWI Defense, PLLC
Richard Hochhauser
164 Jackson Street, Hempstead, NY 11550
RH@Hochhauserlaw.com
Our Offices
Garden City Office
1225 Franklin Ave #325
Garden City, NY 11530
Phone: (516) 939-1529
Appointments Only
See What Our Clients Are Saying
During what was one of the scariest times of my life, he gave me all of the knowledge and support possible to help me get through it. Not only did I end up getting a great outcome for my case, but Richard helped make it a very smooth process and was always there when I had...
Mr. Hochausser worked hard on my behalf.. so hard that he achieved what seemed impossible. He always communicated with me honestly and earnestly, which is rare in any profession these days. He was prepared and forthright every step of the way. I hope to never need his services...
Best Criminal Attorney in New York. Richard explains each detail slowly and carefully so it’s easily understood. He handles each case as if it’s the most important. Highly recommend!
Best DWI lawyer in New York!
Mr. Hochhauser was incredible. I was consulted immediately after the first call. Richard was easy to keep in touch with and would answer all of my emails, phone calls, and even texts regarding my concerns. Guided me through the whole process, made sure I understood everything...
Richard explained the matters of my case thoroughly and was professional and effective in dealing with the charges I was facing, ultimately getting the docket dismissed in its entirety. I would highly recommend procuring his services.
Was in a bad spot but Richard Hochhauser got me great results on my DWI case in Nassau County. Highly Recommend!!!
Can't thank Richard enough. He went aobve and beyond for me. Never had any issues with the law before and he made sure I had no record. Great Criminal Attorney!!!
Was never really in trouble before. And just googled best criminal attorney near me. Feel so lucky that Richard was the one I called. He really fought for me was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend!!
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