Manhattan Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you've been arrested in Manhattan or charged in New York County Criminal Court, the decisions you make in the next 24 hours will shape everything that follows. I'm Glenn F. Hardy, and I've been defending clients in Manhattan courts for more than 30 years — not as part of a large firm, but as a solo practitioner who handles every case personally.

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What It Means to Face Charges in Manhattan's Courts

Manhattan criminal cases move through New York County Criminal Court for misdemeanors and the New York County Supreme Court for felonies. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is one of the most well-resourced prosecutorial offices in the country. They have experienced attorneys, investigators, and institutional resources working against you from the moment charges are filed.

 

What they don't have is my 30 years of direct experience in these specific courtrooms — working relationships with the clerks, judges, and prosecutors who will decide your case. That institutional knowledge is not something you can replicate by hiring a general practice attorney who handles criminal matters on the side.

New York County Criminal Court

Felony charges in Manhattan are prosecuted in New York County Supreme Court, directly across from Criminal Court on Centre Street. These cases carry the most serious consequences: state prison, a permanent felony record, and collateral consequences that follow you for life. I have taken Manhattan felony cases to trial and secured acquittals on charges including murder, robbery, and other violent crimes. My record in this courthouse is documented — not a marketing claim.

The Charges I Defend in Manhattan

I handle the full range of criminal charges prosecuted in Manhattan courts. That means I'm not referring you to a colleague for anything on this list — I take the case myself and see it through.

 

  • Violent crimes: murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, robbery, burglary, and assault
  • Drug crimes: criminal possession and sale of controlled substances at every weight and level
  • Gun and weapons charges under New York's strict firearms laws
  • Sex crimes: rape, sexual assault, and related charges requiring immediate, experienced defense
  • DWI and alcohol-related driving offenses
  • White collar crime: fraud, embezzlement, and financial crimes prosecuted in state court
  • Federal charges in the Southern District of New York (SDNY), headquartered in Manhattan
  • Grand jury investigations, where early representation can change the outcome entirely
  • Appeals and post-conviction relief for Manhattan cases already adjudicated

Why Manhattan Defendants Hire Me

Hiring a criminal defense attorney in New York City means navigating a crowded market of firms that advertise aggressively and deliver inconsistently. Here is what separates my practice from that field:

 

  • 30+ years of criminal defense experience, exclusively — no family law, no personal injury, no immigration matters diluting my focus
  • Direct access: when you call my office, I answer. You will never be handed off to a paralegal or junior associate
  • Trial record: I have taken serious Manhattan cases to verdict and won acquittals on charges that other attorneys would have pushed clients to plead out
  • Academic credentials: I teach criminal law as an adjunct professor at New York University and St. John's University, and I have been published in the New York Law Journal
  • Spanish-language support: Maria provides interpretation throughout every stage of representation, so language is never a barrier to your defense
  • Payment plans available through LawPay for clients who need flexible arrangements

Frequently Asked Questions About Manhattan Criminal Defense

  • What happens at my arraignment in Manhattan?
    At arraignment, the charges against you are formally entered and you enter an initial plea. The judge also determines bail — whether you're released on your own recognizance, released with conditions, or held. This hearing typically occurs within 24 hours of arrest and is one of the most consequential moments in your case. Having an experienced attorney present at arraignment can directly affect whether you go home that night.
  • How quickly should I hire a criminal defense attorney after an arrest in Manhattan?
    Immediately. Statements made to police before you have an attorney can be used against you, and evidence can be lost or shaped in the early hours after an arrest. The sooner I'm involved, the more options I have to protect your position — including at arraignment, during any grand jury proceedings, and in early negotiations with the Manhattan DA's office.
  • Do you handle federal charges in Manhattan?
    Yes. Federal criminal cases in Manhattan are prosecuted in the Southern District of New York, one of the most prominent federal courts in the country. I am experienced in federal defense and have handled cases in the SDNY. Federal charges carry distinct rules, sentencing guidelines, and prosecutorial resources — they require an attorney who understands the federal system specifically, not just state court practice.
  • What if I can't afford to pay a retainer upfront?
    I offer payment plans through LawPay. Facing a serious criminal charge should not mean being forced into a public defender situation because of financial timing. Contact me to discuss your case and we can work out a payment arrangement that allows you to have experienced private representation from day one.
  • I was arrested in Manhattan but I live in another borough or county — can you still represent me?
    Yes. Your place of residence has no bearing on where your case is prosecuted. If the alleged offense occurred in Manhattan, your case will be in New York County courts regardless of where you live. I represent clients from across the five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and beyond in Manhattan courts.

Serving Clients Across New York from a Manhattan Practice

My practice is based in New York, and Manhattan is central to everything I do — but my representation extends across the city and the region. I regularly defend clients in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, as well as Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Westchester County. For federal matters, I appear in both the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of New York.

 

If you're facing charges anywhere in the New York metro area, contact me directly. I'll tell you exactly where your case stands and what I can do.