How Nassau County’s Criminal Court System Is Different
The Nassau County criminal court system works differently from New York City and from Suffolk County. Every case starts at one courthouse, the First District Court at 99 Main Street in Hempstead, and felonies move to County Court in Mineola. Nassau also has its own prosecutors, its own DWI policies and its own way of doing things. Richard Hochhauser of Hochhauser Criminal & DWI Defense, PLLC is a former Nassau County prosecutor whose office is minutes from the courthouse. Heading to court? Read our guide to the Nassau County District Court, with a floor-by-floor directory, parking and what to expect, or print a copy.
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Nassau vs. New York City vs. Suffolk
| Nassau County | New York City | Suffolk County | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where cases start | First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead | Criminal Court in each borough | First District Court, Central Islip, or an East End town court |
| Felonies after indictment | County Court, 262 Old Country Road, Mineola | Supreme Court in each borough | County Court, in Riverhead or Central Islip |
| Prosecutor | Nassau County District Attorney | Five separate district attorneys | Suffolk County District Attorney |
Where your Nassau County case will be heard
Most cases
First District Court, Hempstead
99 Main Street. Every arraignment, every misdemeanor and violation, and the start of every felony case.
Felonies
Nassau County Court, Mineola
262 Old Country Road. Felony cases after a grand jury indictment. See our Mineola felony defense page.
How a case moves through the Nassau system
- Arraignment in Hempstead. The charges are read, you plead not guilty and the judge decides release. See Nassau County arraignment and bail.
- Misdemeanors stay in District Court. Your case is assigned to a courtroom (a “part”) at 99 Main Street for conferences, motions and, if needed, trial.
- Felonies go to a grand jury. If indicted, the case moves to County Court in Mineola, with different judges and more senior prosecutors.
- Discovery and the speedy trial clock. The prosecution must turn over its evidence and certify compliance. Mistakes here can lead to dismissal.
- Resolution. Dismissal, an ACD, a reduction, treatment court, a plea or trial.
DWI in Nassau County
Nassau County takes DWI cases seriously. The District Attorney’s office has prosecutors who focus on DWI, and the court has dedicated DWI parts. Reductions are harder to get here than in many counties, and they usually depend on finding real problems with the evidence or presenting strong mitigation, such as early treatment.
Hard is not the same as impossible. Richard Hochhauser is a former DWI-unit prosecutor, and our results include many Nassau DWI cases reduced to DWAI, a traffic infraction, as well as dismissals. See our Nassau County DWI lawyer page.
Why a local Nassau County lawyer matters
- Knowing which prosecutors and judges handle which parts, and what each one needs to see
- Knowing the District Attorney’s plea policies, so time is spent on what can actually be won
- Being in the building every day, so short-notice appearances and calendar problems get handled
Recent Nassau County results
DWI dismissed · Reduced to DWAI
DWI, BAC 0.15, stopped by State Police
Nassau County District Court, August 14, 2026. Hardship license at arraignment, then a plea to Driving While Ability Impaired, a traffic infraction.
Dismissed & sealed
Cocaine possession, desk appearance ticket
Nassau County First District Court, August 17, 2026. A first-time client received an ACD: dismissed and sealed.
Felony dismissed · Reduced to disorderly conduct
Grand larceny
Nassau County, July 16, 2026. A felony grand larceny charge was resolved with a plea to disorderly conduct, a violation.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Nassau County courts: frequently asked questions
Where is the Nassau County criminal court?
Arraignments, misdemeanors and the start of every felony case are at the First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead, NY 11550. Felony cases after indictment are at the Nassau County Court, 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501.
Why was my case sent to Mineola?
Your case was most likely indicted as a felony by a grand jury, or you agreed to resolve it by a superior court information. Felony cases after indictment are heard in Nassau County Court in Mineola.
Is Nassau County tough on DWI?
Nassau has strict DWI plea policies and dedicated DWI prosecutors. Reductions are harder to get than in many counties but still possible, especially when there are problems with the evidence or strong mitigation.
Do I need a lawyer who practices in Nassau County?
It helps. A lawyer who is in the Nassau courts every day knows the prosecutors, judges and policies that decide how cases end.
Talk to a former Nassau County prosecutor today
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