When you speak, I guarantee you will be heard
Zacarese & Zalewski P.C.
Flat Fee Juvenile Criminal Matters
Call now: 516-660-4354
When your child is accused of a crime, the response in the first weeks shapes their future. Steven Zalewski, Esq. defends juvenile delinquency cases in Suffolk County for a $5,000 flat fee, fixed in writing before work begins.
"He didn't just win my case. He gave me back my future, my peace of mind, and my ability to breathe again."
From the very first conversation, he changed everything. He didn't just see a case, he saw me, and treated me like family. His knowledge of the law was unmatched, but what truly set him apart was his humanity. If you are looking for a lawyer, stop searching right now.
Flat-Fee Juvenile Defense in Suffolk County Family Court
A phone call from a school resource officer or a precinct is every parent's nightmare. In New York, most accusations against children are handled not in criminal court but as juvenile delinquency proceedings under Article 3 of the Family Court Act, a system built around rehabilitation, where the right defense can keep one bad decision from defining a young life.
Zacarese & Zalewski P.C. defends juveniles throughout Suffolk County for a $5,000 flat fee covering all pre-trial work. When your child's future is at stake, the last variable you should be managing is your lawyer's hourly meter.
How Juvenile Cases Differ From Criminal Court
Juvenile delinquency cases involve youth who allegedly commit acts that would be crimes if committed by an adult. The vocabulary is different (a petition instead of an indictment, a fact-finding hearing instead of a trial, a disposition instead of a sentence) and so are the stakes: the focus is supervision, treatment, and services rather than punishment. Since New York's Raise the Age reforms, most 16- and 17-year-olds are also treated within this youth-focused framework rather than as adults. Juvenile records are confidential, and favorable outcomes can keep a young person's record effectively clean.
The Stages That Decide These Cases
Many cases can be resolved before a petition is ever filed, through adjustment and diversion at the probation intake stage: counseling, community service, or restitution in exchange for closing the case. Once a petition is filed by the presentment agency, the case moves through an initial appearance, discovery and suppression motions (statements taken from minors without proper parental notification are a frequent battleground), then fact-finding and disposition. At disposition, outcomes range from an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal to probation or, in serious cases, placement, which is exactly what a strong defense works to avoid.
A Parent's Role, and a Lawyer's
Do not let your child give a statement before speaking with counsel; what seems like "clearing things up" often becomes the presentment agency's best evidence. Early advocacy at probation intake is frequently the single highest-leverage moment in the entire case, and it is fully covered by the flat fee.
What Your Flat Fee Covers
Everything below is included in the pre-trial flat fee, spelled out in a plain-English written retainer before any work begins.
Transparent Rates by Case Type
Flat Fee vs. Hourly Billing
Flat-Fee FAQ
Contact Steven Zalewski, Esq.
Call: 516-660-4354
Office: (516) 377-7830
Email: steve@zandzfamilylawyers.com
Address: 1601 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 500, Islandia, NY 11749
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Disclaimer
This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every family's situation is different, and court procedures change. Flat-fee amounts describe our standard fee structure; your written retainer agreement controls the scope and fee for your specific matter. Consult a qualified attorney about your case.
i guarantee you will be heard
Ready to Take the Next Step?
At Zacarese & Zalewski P.C., when something isn’t right, say something—and we’ll do something about it with you.
Our flat-fee structure is clear: one flat fee for pre-trial work, and a trial fee only if your case goes to trial or a hearing. Call now and a professional will return your call quickly; if we miss you, we'll call back the same day.
