Nassau County Court in Mineola: Felony Defense Lawyer
If your case has been sent to Nassau County Court at 262 Old Country Road in Mineola, you are facing a felony. Every Nassau County criminal case starts at the District Court in Hempstead, but felonies that are not reduced or resolved there are presented to a grand jury and then move to County Court. Richard Hochhauser of Hochhauser Criminal & DWI Defense, PLLC is a former Nassau County prosecutor who defends felony cases in Mineola, from the grand jury through hearings, negotiation and trial.
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Brings years of experience from both sides to every case.
Is your case going to Mineola?
Call before the grand jury acts. We answer 24/7, and the first consultation is free, in person, by video call or by phone call.
Which Nassau County courthouse is my case in?
People searching for the “Mineola criminal court” are usually looking for one of three buildings. Going to the wrong one counts as missing court, and a missed date can lead to a bench warrant.
| Court | Address | What it handles |
|---|---|---|
| Nassau County District Court | 99 Main Street, Hempstead, NY 11550 | Arraignments, misdemeanors, violations and the start of every felony case |
| Nassau County Court | 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501 | Felony cases after indictment, in the same complex as the District Attorney’s office |
| Nassau County Supreme Court | 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 | Mostly civil and matrimonial cases |
Not sure which building your paperwork means? Call (516) 939-1529 and read it to us. If you were just arrested, start with what happens after an arrest in Nassau County and our arraignment and bail guide.
How a felony case moves from Hempstead to Mineola
- Arraignment in District Court. The felony complaint is read at 99 Main Street in Hempstead and the judge decides release, conditions or bail. See what happens at an arraignment.
- The 180.80 deadline. If you are held on a felony complaint, CPL 180.80 generally requires release after 120 hours (144 hours over a weekend or holiday) unless the prosecution has moved the case forward. That deadline is early leverage.
- The grand jury. The prosecution presents evidence and the grand jury decides whether to indict. You have the right to testify with proper notice, a decision to make only with a lawyer.
- Indictment or SCI. If indicted, the case is arraigned in County Court in Mineola. Some cases resolve instead by a superior court information (SCI) as part of a negotiated agreement.
- Discovery and hearings. The prosecution must turn over its evidence and file a certificate of compliance. We challenge the stop, the search, any statements and any identification.
- Resolution. Dismissal, reduction to a misdemeanor, treatment court or diversion, a plea with probation, or trial.
Many felonies never reach Mineola. The time between arrest and the grand jury is the best chance to get a felony reduced to a misdemeanor or violation and keep the case in District Court.
Where felony cases are won: suppression hearings
Many felony cases are decided at pretrial hearings rather than at trial. If key evidence is suppressed, the prosecution often can’t go forward.
Mapp hearing
Was the search legal?
Challenges a search of your car, home, phone or person. If the search was illegal, what police found can be suppressed.
Dunaway hearing
Was the stop or arrest legal?
Challenges whether police had a lawful basis to stop, detain or arrest you in the first place.
Huntley hearing
Were your statements voluntary?
Challenges anything you said to police, including whether you were properly read your rights.
Wade hearing
Was the identification reliable?
Challenges a suggestive lineup, photo array or show-up identification.
Felony charges we defend in Nassau County Court
| Charge | Learn more |
|---|---|
| Felony DWI and aggravated DWI | Felony DWI lawyer |
| Drug possession with intent to sell and drug sale | Felony drug lawyer |
| Grand larceny | Grand larceny lawyer |
| Assault in the second degree | Assault 2nd degree lawyer |
| Criminal possession of a weapon | Weapon possession lawyer |
| Strangulation and domestic felonies | Domestic violence lawyer |
| Felony criminal contempt | Criminal contempt lawyer |
| Possession of a forged instrument | Forged instrument lawyer |
| Robbery and burglary | Robbery · Burglary |
What a felony conviction can cost you
A felony conviction in New York can mean state prison, but the lasting consequences often matter just as much:
- A permanent criminal record that employers and landlords can see
- Loss of the right to own a firearm
- Immigration consequences, including removal for non-citizens
- Professional license problems for nurses, teachers, contractors and others
That is why the goal in most cases is to keep the charge from becoming a felony conviction at all. See what counts as a felony in New York.
Recent Nassau County felony results
Felony dismissed & sealed
Felony assault, domestic incident
Nassau County, 2026. A felony assault charge after an argument at home ended in an ACD, with the case dismissed and sealed after the adjournment period.
Felony dismissed & sealed
Felony criminal mischief, caught on video
Nassau County, June 15, 2026. A client with no record was charged with a felony for damaging a car. After restitution was paid, the case ended in 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, with community service and a conditional discharge.
Treatment court
Class B felony cocaine possession
Nassau County Court, 2026. Our client, who had no record, was accepted into treatment court. The felony is dismissed when he completes the program.
More results: our successful cases.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why hire a former Nassau County prosecutor
Richard Hochhauser worked as a prosecutor in Nassau County before opening his defense practice. He has presented cases to grand juries and made the charging decisions he now argues against, so he knows what a supervising prosecutor at 262 Old Country Road needs to see before changing an offer.
Tips for your court date in Mineola
- Arrive early. The security line is slow in the morning.
- Bring every piece of paper you were given.
- Dress as you would for a job interview.
- Turn your phone off before entering the courtroom.
- Don’t discuss your case in the hallway or elevator. Prosecutors, police officers and witnesses use the same building.
- Never miss a court date. A bench warrant turns one problem into two.
Nassau County Court: frequently asked questions
Is the Nassau County criminal court in Mineola or Hempstead?
Both, depending on the stage of the case. Arraignments, misdemeanors and the start of every felony case are at the Nassau County District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead. Felony cases after indictment are at the Nassau County Court, 262 Old Country Road, Mineola.
What is at 262 Old Country Road in Mineola?
The Nassau County Court, which handles felony cases after indictment, and the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.
Why was my case transferred to Mineola?
Your case was most likely indicted by a grand jury, or you agreed to resolve it by a superior court information. Either way, it is now a felony case in County Court.
Should I testify in front of the grand jury?
Usually not, but it depends on the case. Grand jury testimony is under oath and can be used against you later. Decide only after talking with a lawyer who knows how Nassau County grand jury presentations work.
Can a felony be reduced to a misdemeanor in Nassau County?
Yes. Many felony charges are reduced to misdemeanors or violations, especially before indictment, when the evidence has weaknesses or when there is strong mitigation.
How much does a felony lawyer cost in Nassau County?
Hochhauser Criminal & DWI Defense, PLLC charges a flat fee, quoted after your free consultation. The fee depends on the charge and how far the case has progressed.
Talk to a former Nassau County prosecutor today
Free consultation in person, by video call or by phone call. We answer 24/7. The earlier we start, the more options you have.










