The Law Office of Gary Kaufman, PLLC

About a year ago, I was assigned by the Court to represent a client. He had been charged with Burglary for breaking into the basements of two establishment. Because of his priors he was facing in minimum of seven years. This client clearly trespassed, but I did not believe that he did so with intent to commit a crime inside, which is required under the law for Burglary. This client rejected pleas of 5 years and later 2-4 years. Today a Manhattan jury acquitted my client of... Burglary, leaving him with only convictions for trespass, for which he had already served all the time he could receive, while waiting for trial. He is now free. These are the days where I really love this job.

About a month ago, in light of the failures of Grand Juries to indict police officers in Ferguson, Missouri and Staten Island, New York, I gave a talk to a group that I am part of at the New York City Bar Association on Grand Juries, how they function, and what was different about the cases above. After I spoke I received an email from another attorney in the group that does not practice criminal law. It made my week, so I will share a bit of it here: Thank you very much fo...r today's presentation. I often wonder how lawyers involved in the criminal justice system are able to go to work day in and day out. I could not do what you do, and it is eye-opening to hear about how chaotic and unpredictable your work can be at times. I'm very grateful for what you do. Providing competent and thorough defenses to the accused is heroic, and is a very important aspect of a democratic society. Without defense lawyers like you, the US would be a true police state.

New Review from a Happy Customer: "Attorney Gary Kaufman is a professional lawyer. He did his best to help me with my case. I really appreciate it!"

New Review from a Happy Customer: "Excellent lawyer,dedicated to his clients,his job. VERY reliable and dependable"

Over the last month two of the cases that I have previously posted about here have come to a happy conclusion. Last December I posted about a victory at a suppression hearing in a felony possession of stolen property case where I succeeded in having all of the physical evidence as well as my client's statement suppressed. A few weeks ago the prosecution finally conceded that they could not proceed against my client in light of that ruling and the case was dismissed. In late ...June I posted about a trial victory in a drug case where my client was close to completing a drug treatment program at the time that he was wrongfully arrested. The new case held my client in the treatment part for a year and a half longer than he should have been, as the trial case was resolved. Two weeks ago, my client's drug treatment case was dismissed. Two indicted felonies resulted in dismissal after a combined two and a half years of advocacy. A month to be thankful for this holiday week.