CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY FOR QUEENS, NY
With more than 20 years experience in the criminal justice system in New York City, Rochelle Berliner fights for her clients charged with criminal offenses throughout the five boroughs of New York City. She also represents clients in Nassau County, Suffolk County and Westchester County.
As a former prosecutor, Rochelle Berliner served for more than 14 years in the New York County District Attorney's Office in Manhattan. While at the DA's office, Rochelle Berliner handled many high profile prosecutions from the initial investigation through trial.
Six years ago, Ms. Berliner left the District Attorney's Office to enter private practice. As a criminal defense attorney with the Law Offices of Rochelle Berliner, trial experience is combined with a methodical and scholarly approach to attacking the prosecutor's case.
Ms. Berliner has successfully litigated several high profile civil rights cases involving the NYPD that garnered national attention. She is not afraid to take on the system that she understands from both sides. She proudly represents clients in police misconduct claims including police brutality, wrongful arrest, and malicious prosecution.
BACKGROUND
Rochelle Berliner grew up in Queens, NY. She completed her undergraduate work at New York University and graduated with a B.A. degree in Broadcast Journalism in 1981. She began her career working as a newscaster for a local radio station in Bridgeport, Connecticut. After a year she then became a political correspondent for a statewide radio network in Connecticut.
During those two year, Rochelle was based in Hartford. She covered political stories involving the Connecticut legislature, senatorial and gubernatorial elections and campaigns.
Beginning in 1984, Rochelle became the news director for a local radio station and anchored the morning news. She also became an on-air reporter and a scriptwriter for a nationally-syndicated program which aired on 200 radio stations across the country. In early 1986 Rochelle returned to New York City before beginning law school at New York Law School in lower Manhattan.
LEGAL CAREER IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Rochelle graduated from New York Law School in June 1991. She began her legal career at the New York County District Attorney's Office in Manhattan where she prosecuted cases for the next fourteen (14) years. She spent two years in the Appeals Bureau before being promoted to the Special Narcotics Division for the New York County District Attorney's Office where prosecuted serious drug crime cases for the next twelve years.
While in the Special Narcotics Unit of the New York County D.A.'s Office, Rochelle managed both long-term and short-term investigations, including street-level drug crimes and more complicated lengthy wiretap case.
During her career as a prosecutor, Rochelle gained valuable trial experience and developed her skills as a trial attorney. That experience prepared her well for a career as a criminal defense attorney.
ENTERING PRIVATE PRACTICE AS A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY IN QUEENS, NY
After leaving the New York District Attorney's Office in May of 2005, Rochelle entered private practice defending individuals charged with criminal offenses, with a particularly emphasis on high profile cases and complicated drug trafficking cases.
Her experience as a former prosecutor allows her to effectively take on the system. She has successfully representing clients in civil rights claims against the NYPD in several high profile cases that received national attention.
Rochelle works as criminal defense attorney represent men and women in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan. She also takes cases in Nassau County, Suffolk County and Westchester County. For federal cases, Ms. Berliner represents clients in the Southern and Eastern Districts of Federal Court.