You were arrested in Buffalo, or a family member was. The first 48 hours matter. The first court appearance — arraignment — usually happens within 24 hours of arrest, and what happens there shapes the bail conditions, the discovery picture, and the negotiating posture for the entire case. The lawyers below practice in Buffalo City Court, Erie County Court, and the Western District of NY (federal) regularly. Several are former prosecutors. Most are available 24/7 for arrests in progress. Buffalo criminal cases are won (or salvaged) early — call before the first court date.
If you're arrested in Buffalo, you need a lawyer before the first court appearance. Even for a "small" charge — a misdemeanor possession, a DWI first-offense, a domestic violence misdemeanor — the consequences ripple far past whatever the judge does at sentencing. A misdemeanor on your record affects employment screens, housing applications, professional licenses, security clearances, immigration status, and gun rights. A felony multiplies all of that.
Call a Buffalo criminal defense lawyer immediately if any of these apply.
Most Buffalo criminal defense lawyers price by flat fee per stage (pre-indictment, indictment through plea/trial, trial supplement, appeal) so you know the cost up front. Hourly rates for senior Buffalo criminal practitioners run $325 to $600. Misdemeanor flat fees range from about $1,500 (simple possession or violation, expected ACOD outcome) to $7,500 (first-offense DWI with chemical test refusal and DMV hearing). Felony work scales with class — a class-D drug felony might run $7,500 to $15,000 through plea; a class-B violent felony heading to trial might run $25,000 to $75,000. Federal cases in WDNY are typically $15,000 to $150,000+ depending on complexity, with murder, RICO, large-scale narcotics, or financial cases running higher.
Dominic Saraceno has represented Buffalo clients in felony cases in local, state, and federal courts for more than 20 years. Trial record includes wins in homicide, rape, kidnapping, assault, larceny, and DWI/DUI matters. The right call when the case is serious, the exposure is significant, and you want a trial lawyer rather than a plea-deal mill.
Thomas Trbovich provides criminal defense and DUI/DWI representation throughout Western NY. Experience as a former Erie County assistant district attorney gives him a working knowledge of how the prosecution's case is built, which translates to acquittals and license-saves on the DWI side. Strong fit for clients facing DWI with chemical test refusal or aggravated DWI.
Arthur L. Pressman has more than 30 years of Buffalo and Western NY criminal defense practice, handling more than 40,000 cases over the course of his career. Established working relationships with Buffalo City Court, Erie County Court, and surrounding town/village courts. Especially strong on DWI volume work where local knowledge of prosecutors and judges matters most.
Buffalo-area criminal defense practice covering felonies, misdemeanors, and DWI charges. Recognized by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys as one of the top 10 DUI/DWI attorneys in NY State. Useful when the case is a DWI with collateral consequences — CDL exposure, professional license, immigration overlay — and you want a lawyer who treats DWI as a specialty rather than a side practice.
Buffalo DWI and general criminal defense attorney with practice across Buffalo City Court and surrounding town/village courts. Good fit for first-time DWI clients who want a clear cost structure, candid case assessment at the consult, and a lawyer who returns calls. Useful when the case is a misdemeanor or violation rather than a serious felony.
Tell us briefly what's happening. We route a confidential request to the best-fit Buffalo firm in this directory. If the case is time-sensitive (arrest, DMV deadline, court tomorrow), tell us in the message.