Joseph John Centra

     My practice primarily focuses on DWI/DUI, criminal defense and traffic matters. These cases range from minor first time offenses to the most serious arrests including DWI, violent felony offenses, economic (white collar) crimes, and narcotics possession and distribution. As an attorney, I have handled hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases. 

     I started my career working as an Assistant District Attorney where I started out in the Law and Appeals Bureau. In the Law and Appeals Bureau I prepared several legal briefs and had the unique opportunity to argue cases in both the Appellate Division of the Fourth Department and in the New York State Court of Appeals. After leaving the Law and Appeals Bureau, I began handling misdemeanor level cases and within one year of being in the DA’s Office, I was promoted to the Economic Fraud and Financial Crime Bureau. While in the Economic Fraud and Financial Crime Bureau I handled hundreds of felony-level white collar cases including grand larcenies, embezzlement, falsifying business records and forgery related crimes. After prosecuting white collar cases for approximately three years, I moved to the Narcotics Bureau where I handled all levels of drug related arrests ranging from misdemeanor drug possession to felony level drug possession and sales. While in the Narcotics Bureau, I also handled numerous violent felony cases including weapon and gun possession. 

     I have effectively handled several hearings and successfully conducted numerous felony and misdemeanor jury trials. My experience litigating and managing hundreds of criminal cases has given me unique ability to review each and every case with extreme detail and pinpoint the legal issues within that matter.  This experience has given me the ability to effectively represent and counsel my clients in all criminal and traffic matters.