99 main street courtNassau County District Court Lawyer, 99 Main Street, Hempstead

If you need a Nassau County District Court lawyer, Ronald S. Cook, PC represents clients at the Nassau County First District Court located at 99 Main Street, Hempstead, NY 11550. Ronald S. Cook, PC represents clients at the Nassau County First District Court located at 99 Main Street, Hempstead, NY 11550. This courthouse handles misdemeanor and felony matters for all of Nassau County — cases that are more serious than the traffic infractions handled by the NCTPVA. Our Garden City office is located at 1225 Franklin Avenue, Suite 325, Garden City, NY 11530, a short drive from the courthouse. An experienced Nassau County District Court lawyer can help protect your rights and guide you through the criminal court process.

👉 Nassau County District Court Lawyer for Criminal and Traffic Cases

Ronald Cook “wrote the book” on traffic tickets titled Beating Traffic Tickets, available on Amazon.com.

👉 What a Nassau County District Court Lawyer Needs You to Know

The Nassau County District Court at 99 Main Street in Hempstead is the criminal court for Nassau County. It has trial jurisdiction over misdemeanors, violations, and infractions, as well as preliminary jurisdiction over felonies. This is where criminal traffic charges — such as DWI, reckless driving, and aggravated unlicensed operation — are heard. It is also where misdemeanor arrests for assault, petit larceny, drug possession, criminal contempt, and other offenses are prosecuted. Felony cases are arraigned here before being presented to a grand jury and potentially transferred to Nassau County Court in Mineola for trial.

The District Court is open seven days a week for criminal arraignments. This means that if you are arrested on a weekend, your arraignment will still take place at this courthouse — not at a village court or the NCTPVA.

Nassau County District Court Location and Contact Information

Address: Nassau County District Court, 99 Main Street, Second Floor, Hempstead, NY 11550

Phone — Criminal Division: (516) 493-4201

Phone — Civil Division: (516) 493-4113

Phone — General: (516) 493-4200

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. All business must be commenced by 4:30 PM. Calendars are called at 9:30 AM. The court is also open on weekends from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM for criminal arraignments.

Parking: Metered municipal lot one block from the courthouse, with designated spaces for people with disabilities.

Security: All visitors must pass through a magnetometer before entering the court.

Directions: One block north of Fulton Avenue on Main Street. Accessible via the Southern State Parkway, Northern State Parkway, or Meadowbrook Parkway to Hempstead. Also accessible by LIRR (Hempstead Branch) and MSBA bus service.

Adjournments: Must be requested in writing. Adjournment requests will not be considered by phone. All parties must be notified. The judge will consider requests at the call of the calendar on the scheduled court date.

Official Website: ww2.nycourts.gov — Nassau County District Court

What Types of Cases Are Heard at the Nassau County District Court?

The Nassau County District Court handles cases that are more serious than standard traffic infractions. If you received a summons, a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT), or were arrested and your case is returnable to the District Court at 99 Main Street, you may be facing one of the following:

Criminal Traffic Offenses (Misdemeanors)

  • Driving While Intoxicated — DWI (VTL § 1192(2) / (3))
  • Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol — DWAI (VTL § 1192(1))
  • Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (VTL § 1192(4))
  • Driving While Ability Impaired by Combined Influence of Drugs and Alcohol (VTL § 1192(4-a))
  • Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle — AUO (VTL § 511)
  • Reckless Driving (VTL § 1212)
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident (VTL § 600)

Common Misdemeanor Charges

  • Petit Larceny — Theft under $1,000 (NYPL § 155.25)
  • Assault in the Third Degree (NYPL § 120.00)
  • Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree (NYPL § 145.00)
  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance — 7th Degree (NYPL § 220.03)
  • Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree (NYPL § 140.10)
  • Menacing in the Third Degree (NYPL § 120.15)
  • Harassment in the Second Degree (NYPL § 240.26)
  • Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree (NYPL § 215.50)
  • Resisting Arrest (NYPL § 205.30)
  • Endangering the Welfare of a Child (NYPL § 260.10)
  • Criminal Possession of Stolen Property — 5th Degree (NYPL § 165.40)
  • Forgery in the Third Degree (NYPL § 170.05)
  • Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree (NYPL § 190.25)
  • Obstructing Governmental Administration — 2nd Degree (NYPL § 195.05)

Felony Charges (Arraignment and Preliminary Hearings)

The District Court has preliminary jurisdiction over felony cases. Felony arraignments and initial proceedings are held at 99 Main Street before cases are presented to a grand jury and potentially transferred to Nassau County Court at 262 Old Country Road, Mineola for trial. Common felony charges arraigned here include:

  • Grand Larceny — 4th, 3rd, and 2nd Degree (NYPL § 155.30 / 155.35 / 155.40)
  • Burglary — 3rd and 2nd Degree (NYPL § 140.20 / 140.25)
  • Robbery — 2nd and 1st Degree (NYPL § 160.10 / 160.15)
  • Assault in the Second Degree (NYPL § 120.05)
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon — 3rd and 2nd Degree (NYPL § 265.02 / 265.03)
  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance — 3rd Degree (NYPL § 220.16)
  • Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance — 3rd Degree (NYPL § 220.39)
  • Felony DWI — Prior DWI within 10 years (VTL § 1192)
  • Identity Theft in the First Degree (NYPL § 190.80)
  • Arson in the Third Degree (NYPL § 150.10)

A skilled Nassau County District Court lawyer understands how cases are handled at 99 Main Street and how to negotiate effectively with prosecutors.

👉 How a Nassau County District Court Lawyer Handles Your Case

Arraignment: If you are arrested or receive a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT), you will be arraigned at the District Court. At arraignment, the charges are formally read, you enter a plea, and the judge decides whether to release you on your own recognizance (ROR), set bail, or remand you. Having an attorney present at arraignment can make a significant difference in the bail determination. The court is open seven days a week for arraignments.

Pre-Trial Conferences: After arraignment, your case will be scheduled for conferences where your attorney and the prosecutor discuss the evidence, possible defenses, and potential resolutions.

Plea Negotiations: For misdemeanor cases, your attorney can negotiate with the Nassau County District Attorney’s office for reduced charges, lower fines, or alternative dispositions such as community service, a conditional discharge, or an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal (ACD). The outcome depends on the charges, your criminal history, and the facts of the case.

Trial: If no plea agreement is reached, misdemeanor cases are tried at the District Court. You have a right to a jury trial on misdemeanor charges. Felony cases that are indicted by a grand jury are transferred to Nassau County Court in Mineola for trial.

District Court vs. NCTPVA — Know the Difference

Many people confuse the Nassau County District Court with the NCTPVA. They are different courts that handle different types of cases:

  • NCTPVA (801 Axinn Avenue, Garden City) — Handles traffic infractions and parking violations. No jail is possible. Administrative agency with Judicial Hearing Officers.
  • Nassau County District Court (99 Main Street, Hempstead) — Handles misdemeanors, criminal traffic offenses (DWI, AUO, reckless driving), and felony arraignments. Jail is possible. Traditional court with judges.

If your ticket or summons says “NCTPVA” or “Traffic and Parking Violations Agency,” see our NCTPVA Traffic Ticket Lawyer page. If it says “District Court” or “First District Court” or lists the address as 99 Main Street, Hempstead, you are in the right place.

Note: Some misdemeanor charges — particularly those arising from incidents within incorporated villages — may be handled by the village court where the offense occurred rather than at the District Court. Check the court name on your paperwork to confirm where your case is returnable.

Get a Free Intake Consultation

Text us at (631) 678-8993.

Or call us toll-free at (888) 275-2620. Available 24/7.

If you have been arrested or received a summons returnable to the Nassau County District Court, contact us immediately. Early legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

Why Choose Ronald S. Cook, PC

Attorney Ronald S. Cook has handled thousands of criminal defense and traffic cases across New York State. The firm has over 3,000 client testimonials across Google, BBB, Trustpilot, and other review platforms. Attorney Cook holds five advanced degrees, including dual LL.M. degrees, and has been serving New York clients for over 25 years.

Our law firm has THOUSANDS of 5-star testimonials. View our testimonials.

Contact Us

Speak directly with a Nassau County District Court lawyer today.

Text us: (631) 678-8993

Call toll-free: (888) 275-2620

Available 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

Nassau County Office: 1225 Franklin Avenue, Suite 325, Garden City, NY 11530

Suffolk County Office: 12 Bank Avenue, Smithtown, NY 11787

View our contact information and office locations.

Available 24/7. DWI, misdemeanors, felonies, and criminal traffic offenses at the Nassau County District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.