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Q: How can I find out about a warrant in Suffolk County, NY?
How can I find out if there's a warrant issued for me in Suffolk County, Long Island, NY? Are there any specific steps I need to take or resources I should use to determine whether a warrant exists?
Thomas Anthony Sirianni
answered on Jul 14, 2026
answered on Jul 14, 2026
I am a New York attorney with 27 years of practice on Long Island, and Suffolk County is home turf for me.
There is no single public database that answers this, so you check at the source. For most criminal matters in Suffolk's five western towns, that is the Suffolk County District... View More 
Q: Can we change lawyers before sentencing in NY for a D felony?
In New York, my son is facing sentencing on July 13, 2026, for a charge reduced from a B felony to a D felony. He was accused of improperly touching his 6-year-old daughter in 2021, while he was merely trying to soothe her flea bites with calamine lotion. This accusation was made in January 2026... View More
Thomas Anthony Sirianni
answered on Jul 14, 2026
answered on Jul 14, 2026
I am a New York attorney with 27 years of practice on Long Island.
Yes, a defendant can retain new counsel of his choosing at any stage, including before sentencing. The catch is timing: the court controls its calendar, and a substitution on the eve of sentencing will only delay things if... View More
Q: How to add a friend to my NYC rent-stabilized lease without losing DRIE benefits?
I'm a 70-year-old resident living in a rent-stabilized apartment in Manhattan, New York City, and I'm currently enrolled in the DRIE program. I've had a close family friend living with me for the past 11 years, and I wish for him to take over the apartment should anything happen to... View More
Thomas Anthony Sirianni
answered on Jul 14, 2026
answered on Jul 14, 2026
I am a New York landlord-tenant attorney with 27 years of practice on Long Island.
Let me untangle two things, because the lease is probably not the tool you actually need. Adding a person to a rent-stabilized lease requires the landlord's consent, and landlords rarely give it,... View More
Q: Should I plead guilty to a speeding ticket in NY at 19 with existing points?
I am a 19-year-old driver in New York state and currently have a total of 3 points on my license from a previous speeding ticket. I recently received another ticket for driving 97 mph in a 65 mph zone. Should I plead guilty to this recent speeding ticket, and what potential consequences should I... View More
Thomas Anthony Sirianni
answered on Jul 14, 2026
answered on Jul 14, 2026
I am a New York attorney with 27 years of practice on Long Island.
Do not plead guilty to this ticket as written. Here is the math you are facing. Driving 97 in a 65 is 32 mph over the limit, which carries 8 points in New York. Added to your existing 3 points, that puts you at 11 points... View More
Q: How to verify a warrant in Monroe County, NY?
I am trying to find out if I have a warrant in Monroe County, New York. I have contacted a local agency in the town of Ogden, New York, and was informed that I have no warrants. However, I would like to confirm this information to be sure. What are the best steps to take to verify if I have any... View More
Thomas Anthony Sirianni
answered on Jul 14, 2026
answered on Jul 14, 2026
I am a New York attorney with 27 years of practice on Long Island.
One local agency telling you that you have no warrants is a good sign, but it is not complete, because warrants live where they were issued. A town police department in Ogden can only speak reliably to its own records. To be... View More
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