Albany Felony Defense Attorney Fighting for Your Future in State and Federal Court

A felony charge is one of the most serious situations a person can face. The penalties are severe, the process moves fast, and the decisions you make in the first days after an arrest can shape everything that follows. At Finn Law, we represent people facing serious criminal charges in Albany and across upstate New York — and we start building your defense from the moment you call.

New York Felony Classifications — What You're Actually Facing

New York divides felonies into five classes, each carrying a distinct sentencing range. Understanding where your charge falls is the first step toward understanding your exposure.

• Class A felony — the most serious classification, covering charges like murder and major drug trafficking. Sentences can range from 15 years to life, with some offenses carrying mandatory life terms.
• Class B felony — includes first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, and certain drug distribution offenses. Sentences typically range from 1 to 25 years.
• Class C felony — covers charges such as second-degree robbery and second-degree assault. Sentencing range is generally 1 to 15 years.
• Class D felony — includes third-degree robbery, certain weapons charges, and some drug offenses. Sentences typically range from 1 to 7 years.
• Class E felony — the lowest felony classification, but still a felony. Conviction carries up to 4 years in state prison.

Every class above also carries collateral consequences beyond incarceration: loss of voting rights while incarcerated, restrictions on firearm ownership, immigration consequences for non-citizens, and a permanent criminal record that follows you into employment, housing, and professional licensing.

Assault and Violent Crime Charges

Assault in the first and second degree, robbery, and weapons possession charges are among the most aggressively prosecuted felonies in New York. Prosecutors pursue these cases hard, and the evidence often feels overwhelming at first contact. We examine every element — the circumstances of the alleged incident, witness accounts, physical evidence, and whether law enforcement followed proper procedure from the initial stop through the arrest.

Drug Trafficking and Weapons Charges

Drug trafficking charges in New York carry severe mandatory minimums, and federal drug charges carry their own sentencing guidelines that operate independently of state law. Weapons possession charges are often stacked onto other charges to increase leverage in plea negotiations. We challenge the legality of the search that produced the evidence, the chain of custody, and the prosecution's characterization of intent — all of which can be decisive.

Murder, Manslaughter, and Homicide Defense

Homicide charges demand an attorney with the experience to navigate complex forensic evidence, expert witnesses, and the weight of a case where the stakes could not be higher. We take these cases seriously at every stage — from arraignment through trial — and we do not approach them with a default assumption that a plea is the outcome.

White Collar and Financial Crimes

Fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and related financial offenses are prosecuted at both the state and federal level. These cases typically involve large volumes of documentary evidence and require a defense that can engage with financial records, expert analysis, and the government's theory of intent. Ryan Finn's admission to federal court means we can represent clients facing federal financial charges where many Albany-area criminal defense attorneys cannot appear.

Sex Crimes Defense

Sex crime allegations carry immediate and lasting consequences — professionally, socially, and legally — before a single charge is proven. The presumption of innocence is not a formality; it is the foundation of the defense. We approach these cases with the same rigor and commitment we bring to every serious felony, examining the evidence, the investigation, and the conduct of law enforcement at every step.

A Felony Arrest Is Not a Conviction — But the Defense Has to Start Now

The window to build the strongest possible defense is widest immediately after an arrest. Witness memories are fresh. Physical evidence is accessible. Constitutional violations in the arrest, search, or interrogation are still traceable. As time passes, those advantages narrow.

We start working on your case from the first conversation — reviewing the circumstances of your arrest, identifying potential suppression issues, and evaluating the prosecution's likely theory before they've had time to solidify it. The earlier we're involved, the more options we have.

How Evidence Gets Challenged — and Why It Matters

One of the most important questions in any felony case is not just what the prosecution has — it's how they got it. Evidence obtained in violation of your Fourth Amendment rights can be challenged through a suppression motion. If a court agrees that the search, seizure, or stop was unconstitutional, that evidence may be excluded entirely.

We review every aspect of the government's case for constitutional violations: the basis for the initial stop, whether the search warrant was properly supported, whether your Miranda rights were honored, and whether any statements were taken in violation of your right to counsel. A successful suppression motion can reduce the prosecution's case dramatically — and in some instances, end it.

Federal Felony Defense in Albany and Upstate New York

Federal felony charges operate under a different system than state charges — different courts, different procedural rules, and federal sentencing guidelines that can be significantly more severe. Many criminal defense attorneys in the Albany area are not admitted to practice in federal court and cannot represent clients there.

Ryan Finn is admitted in both New York State courts and the United States District Court, which means we handle federal drug charges, federal financial crimes, and federal civil rights violations for clients throughout the Capital District and upstate New York. If you've been contacted by federal investigators or charged in federal court, that distinction matters.

Fighting for the Wrongly Accused and the Unfairly Charged

Some attorneys approach felony defense with plea negotiation as the default. Our approach is different. We evaluate every case on its actual merits — the strength of the evidence, the viability of constitutional challenges, the credibility of witnesses, and the prosecution's ability to prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt. Only after that evaluation do we present you with an honest picture of your options.

A plea agreement may be the right outcome in some cases. In others, it isn't. You deserve to know the difference before you make a decision that cannot be undone. We don't push clients toward outcomes that are convenient for our calendar. We push toward outcomes that are right for their case.

Felony Defense — Frequently Asked Questions

Facing Felony Charges in Upstate New York? Don't Wait.

The decisions made in the days immediately after a felony arrest matter more than most people realize. Evidence can be lost. Witnesses move on. Constitutional challenges become harder to raise. If you or someone you care about is facing serious criminal charges in Albany or anywhere in upstate New York, contact Finn Law now. We'll review your case, tell you where you stand, and fight for the outcome you deserve.