I’m Attorney Gianni Karmily. If you are facing larceny charges, the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily is here to protect your legal rights.

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Search “Nassau County shoplifting lawyer” on Google, and you’ll see many pages of directory sites promising both “verified rankings” and “impartial reviews” of local larceny defense firms. To address this, we’ve put together our own honest read on who the top larceny defenders in Nassau County actually are.

A larceny conviction in New York isn’t the minor inconvenience some people assume it is. Depending on the amount and circumstances, it can mean the defendant has a misdemeanor or felony record, not just a fine.

Since you’re here, the odds are that you or someone close to you is facing a theft-related charge on Long Island or elsewhere in New York State.

Below is a shortlist of the shoplifting and larceny attorneys we trust most on Long Island, the ones we’d call first if it were our own family sitting in an interview room for theft charges.

Law Firm For Shoplifting and Larceny Charges – Respected by Criminal Attorneys and Trusted by Clients on Long Island

We’ve defended countless clients accused of shoplifting or various other theft crimes on Long Island. One review that means a lot to me personally came in after helping a family who drove to us from Suffolk County for a consultation:

Related Read: Is New York Not Prosecuting Shoplifters?

I’m Gianni Karmily, founder of the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC. In more than a decade defending clients across Long Island and New York, I’ve watched the right larceny attorney turn a felony grand larceny charge into a sealed record. I’ve also watched the wrong one let a first-time shoplifting charge snowball into a conviction and a permanent criminal record. This guide is my honest list of the five best Nassau County larceny lawyers, the people I’d send a friend or family member to without hesitating.

Every name on this list competes with our law firm for clients. I’m including them anyway, because I’ve worked alongside them, watched how they handle a nervous first-time client, and seen the results they get when a serious case actually comes through. That carries more weight with me than any five-star graphic on a website.

So why put this list together at all? Because your freedom, your record, your job prospects, and in some cases your immigration status matter more than any single case on the law firm’s docket. As a defense attorney, I want you walking into that first court date with real representation, whether that’s the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily or one of the four others listed below.

There’s no shortage of lawyers advertising theft-crime defense in this market. Our goal is simply to hand you honest information so you can choose with confidence.

Shoplifting and Larceny charges in New York carry real consequences; from a misdemeanor petit larceny to a Class B felony for grand larceny in the first degree, with consequences that include a criminal record, probation, or up to years in state prison.

What Makes Us Qualified to Recommend Nassau County Larceny Attorneys

• Most “top lawyer” directories are paid advertising dressed up as objective rankings. The companies behind Justia, Expertise, Super Lawyers, Yelp, ThreeBest Rated, Avvo, Best Lawyers, FindLaw, and the rest have never sat at a defense table, never cross-examined a loss-prevention witness, and never watched a client’s future turn on a single evidentiary ruling. We have – across shoplifting stops, grand larceny charges, and everything in between.
• The law firm’s docket has run countless felony, misdemeanor, and violation-level matters throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, and the boroughs of New York City, and the practice is built specifically around defending the accused across Nassau County and the surrounding Long Island communities.

We’d welcome the chance to talk with you directly before you sign with anyone. But we also know that choosing a lawyer is a personal decision, and you deserve real options, not just one pitch. Our honest goal is to ensure you are able to make an informed decision.

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Each person on this list shares the same belief: every client deserves a committed, thoughtful defense. That’s why we’re comfortable calling them some of the best larceny and shoplifting lawyers in Nassau County, Long Island.

Best Theft Crimes Defense Lawyers in Nassau County, Long Island

• Gianni Karmily – Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC
• Andrew Karpf – Law Offices of Andrew Karpf
• Siara Ossa – Law Office of Siara Ossa
• Richard Hochhauser – Law Office of Richard Hochhauser
• David Adhami – Law Office of David A. Adhami

1. Gianni Karmily – Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC

Hempstead Listing on Google | Great Neck Listing on Google

Gianni Karmily has a longstanding reputation as a go-to theft and larceny defense attorney in Nassau County and the greater Long Island region. After handling a wide range of shoplifting and larceny cases, he’s developed a deep familiarity with where the state’s cases tend to have soft spots – a shaky loss-prevention statement, a chain-of-custody gap on recovered merchandise, an inflated valuation that doesn’t hold up.

For six consecutive years, Super Lawyers named Gianni Karmily a Rising Star in Criminal Law for the New York Metro region, an honor given to no more than 2.5% of younger attorneys statewide, before he aged out of eligibility after more than a decade of practice. He’s also an active member of the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NYSACDL) and the Criminal Courts Bar Association of Nassau County (CCBANC). These organizations keep him current on how local criminal procedure is shifting.

Gianni Karmily makes the same commitment to every client: direct access, not whichever associate is free that day. When a shoplifting stop or a grand larceny charge is threatening your record, that access matters and is evident in his case results.

If you’ve been charged with a theft crime in Nassau County, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC.

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2. Andrew Karpf – Law Offices of Andrew Karpf

Listing on Google

Andrew Karpf has been trying cases in Long Island’s courts since 1988, working matters throughout both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

He’s stood beside thousands of clients across both misdemeanor and felony cases. Andrew’s trial record backs it up: close to 100 jury trials taken to verdict, with wins in the vast majority.

Defense attorney Karp earned his law degree at Touro, where he served as President of Delta Theta Phi and Vice President of the Student Bar Association. He’s a longtime member of the Suffolk County Criminal Defense Bar and previously held a leadership role with the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Even as a seasoned attorney, Andrew goes through discovery himself, line by line, on every case, theft matters included, where the strength of a defense often comes down to exactly how merchandise was recovered or how a valuation was calculated. Prosecutors know not to hand him a shaky case and expect it to hold.

I’d trust Andrew without hesitation on a serious larceny case in either Nassau or Suffolk County.

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3. Siara Ossa – Law Office of Siara Ossa

Listing on Google

Siara Ossa currently runs a solo criminal and traffic defense practice. What stands out about her work isn’t just the results; it’s how she treats clients who’ve never faced a criminal charge before.

Brooklyn-born and raised, she started out at the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society, handling countless misdemeanor cases, with shoplifting and petit larceny among them, up through serious felony crimes, before launching her own firm.

Clients consistently describe her as accessible and plain-spoken. Legal jargon gets translated into normal conversations, calls get returned, and questions get answered honestly, even the ones people are embarrassed to ask about a shoplifting arrest.

She handles a full range of criminal matters, including larceny and theft charges, and her calm, direct communication style helps clients get through what’s often a frightening first experience with the court system.

Siara is one of the rising advocates in Long Island defense. I’m glad to include her here.

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4. Richard Hochhauser – Law Office of Richard Hochhauser

Listing on Google

I’ve had the chance to work alongside Richard on multiple matters, and his preparation and in-court judgment are both top-tier. For a Nassau County larceny charge, Richard is exactly who you want reviewing the state’s evidence against you.

Richard Hochhauser, founder of the Law Office of Richard Hochhauser, has built a reputation as one of Long Island’s most effective theft crime defense attorneys.

Over his career, Richard has handled a substantial number of theft and larceny matters in Nassau County, and he’s deeply familiar with how these cases actually get built, from store surveillance footage and loss-prevention reports to the way prosecutors calculate the value of stolen property, which often determines whether a charge is a misdemeanor or a felony.

Richard is skilled at spotting weaknesses in the state’s case, building persuasive arguments around them, and effectively moving a case through the Nassau County court system. He has extensive experience taking cases to trial, and he’s built a strong record of favorable outcomes.

I’ve worked alongside Richard on multiple cases. His preparation and presentation skills are excellent. For a Nassau County larceny charge, he’s exactly who you want combing through the state’s evidence.

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5. David Adhami – Law Office of David A. Adhami

Listing on Google

Defense attorney David Adhami operates out of Great Neck. He covers an unusually wide territory: Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Sullivan, and Dutchess Counties, plus all five boroughs of New York City.

A lifelong New Yorker, attorney Adhami earned his undergraduate degree at Stony Brook before heading to Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center for his J.D. During law school, he worked with the school’s Public Advocacy Center Mortgage Foreclosure Assistance program, where he first discovered he wanted to spend his career fighting for people in tough situations.

His practice blends criminal defense and civil litigation, with criminal matters ranging from misdemeanor cases, such as shoplifting and petit larceny, to serious felonies. He also maintains an active traffic-law practice.

Super Lawyers has included David on its selective list, a recognition based on peer respect and demonstrated professional achievement. He’s a member of the New York State Bar and is actively involved with the Nassau County Bar Association.

What comes through consistently in conversations with David is how genuinely available he stays for his clients and his refusal to settle for less than the best outcome he can get. I’ve watched him go the extra mile for people in stressful moments, and I’m glad to include him here.

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FAQs About Shoplifting and Larceny Defense Lawyers in Nassau County, Long Island

What is the penalty for shoplifting in New York?

Shoplifting is typically charged as petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor, when the value of the merchandise is $1,000 or less. It’s punishable by up to 364 days in jail or three years of probation in addition to up to $1,000 in fines. If the merchandise value crosses certain thresholds, including when it is an aggregate value if there is more than one incident, the charge can escalate to grand larceny, a felony with far more serious consequences.

What is grand larceny in New York?

Grand larceny covers theft above $1,000 in value, or theft of certain property regardless of value (like a firearm or a vehicle), and it’s always charged as a felony rather than a misdemeanor. New York breaks it into four degrees based on the dollar amount involved, with fourth-degree grand larceny starting at above $1,000 and first-degree grand larceny, property worth over $1 million, carrying up to 25 years in state prison.

For a full breakdown of the thresholds, see What Is Considered Grand Larceny in New York?

When should you hire a lawyer for larceny charges on Long Island?

As soon as you’re aware you’re being investigated or immediately after an arrest, before you give any statement to loss prevention, store security, or police. Early involvement lets an attorney start pulling surveillance footage and internal reports before they’re altered or lost, and gives you a real shot at resolving the matter before it’s too late.

Do you need to hire a larceny lawyer “near me”?

Not necessarily, but there are real advantages to hiring locally. A Nassau County larceny attorney already has a working relationship with the local District Attorney’s Office, knows how individual judges tend to handle shoplifting and theft cases, and understands which treatment programs are realistically available in this county. That local knowledge often makes the difference in how a case gets resolved.

How much does a shoplifting lawyer cost on Long Island?

The cost of hiring a shoplifting lawyer depends on the facts of the case. Most attorneys handle larceny cases on a flat-fee basis, with the fee scaling to the severity of the charge. A straightforward petit larceny case runs considerably less than a felony grand larceny matter involving contested valuation or multiple incidents. Some law firms charge one flat fee to handle the case through arraignment and pre-hearing motions, with a separate fee if the matter proceeds to hearings and trial.

Is there a difference between larceny and theft in New York?

Not really; “larceny” is the specific legal term New York’s Penal Law uses, while “theft” is the everyday word people use to describe the same conduct. Shoplifting, embezzlement, and even certain types of fraud can all fall under the larceny statute depending on how the property was taken.

For more on how the terms overlap, see What Is the Difference Between Theft and Larceny in the State of New York?

Can I be charged if I’m in possession of lost property in New York?

Yes, New York law treats knowingly keeping lost property you found, without making a reasonable effort to return it to its owner, as a form of larceny. It sounds counterintuitive to people who assume “finders keepers” is a defense, but intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property is what the law looks at, not how you originally came into possession of it.

New York also recognizes a separate offense of possessing stolen property. You can be charged with criminal possession of stolen property if the state believes you knowingly possessed property that was stolen and intended to benefit yourself or someone else, or to prevent the rightful owner from recovering the property. You don’t have to be the person who originally stole the property to face this charge.

Read more at Is Possessing Lost Property Illegal?

How did we select the “Best” larceny defense lawyers in Nassau County, Long Island?

No paid placements and no directory algorithm, but rather several honest measures of quality. We looked at the overall experience specific to shoplifting and larceny matters, how each attorney is regarded by peers and by prosecutors who’ve faced them, what past clients say about working with them, and outcomes we’ve seen firsthand or heard about from people whose judgment we trust.

Ready to Discuss Your Case With a Theft Crimes Lawyer?

If you or a loved one is facing a larceny or shoplifting charge, time matters. The Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC defends clients throughout Nassau County and the broader Long Island region, handling criminal cases in Hempstead, Great Neck, Albertson, Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, Bayville, Bellmore, Bethpage, Carle Place, East Meadow, East Rockaway, East Williston, Elmont, Farmingdale, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Freeport, Garden City, Garden City Park, Glen Cove, Glen Head, Greenvale, Hicksville, Island Park, Jericho, Levittown, Locust Valley, Long Beach, Lynbrook, Malverne, Manhasset, Massapequa, Merrick, Mill Neck, Mineola, New Cassel, New Hyde Park, North Hills, Oceanside, Old Bethpage, Old Brookville, Old Westbury, Oyster Bay, Plainview, Port Washington, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, Salisbury, Roslyn, Seaford, Sea Cliff, Syosset, The Five Towns, Uniondale, Valley Stream, Wantagh, Westbury, West Hempstead, Williston Park, and Woodbury.

Gianni Karmily has built his practice around defending people accused of theft, shoplifting, larceny, and other criminal charges. He knows how to pick apart the prosecution’s evidence and construct a defense that fits the facts of your case. Call the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily today or reach out online to schedule a confidential case evaluation.