Michael S Pollok

I am Michael S. Pollok, an AV Peer Reviewed rated attorney who dedicates my practice solely to criminal law across New York’s local, state, and federal courts. Over the years, I have defended clients against a wide array of criminal charges, including DUI. My legal services cover a broad spectrum, from plea negotiations and advanced motion practice to bail hearings, criminal trials, and appeals. I also handle vacating warrants, post-conviction motions such as habeas corpus, regulatory criminal investigations, post-conviction professional licensing hearings (Board of Regents/OPD), applications for certificates of relief from civil disabilities and good conduct, as well as commutation or expungement proceedings. Additionally, I have experience mitigating other consequences of criminal convictions, such as minimizing the risk of deportation for permanent resident aliens and visa holders and DACA.

Previously, I was an associate at Barrett, Gravante, Carpinello & Stern, LLP (now merged with Boies, Schiller and Flexner, LLP) in Manhattan. My role there involved white-collar criminal defense litigation and appeals, as well as complex civil litigation, including investigations and litigation on behalf of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Resolution Trust Corporation involving failed savings and loan institutions. I also served on the Criminal Justice Act panel for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the Assigned Counsel Plan for the Appellate Division, First Department, and the pro-bono panel for the New York State Court of Appeals.

After my tenure at Barrett, Gravante, Carpinello & Stern, LLP, I established a solo practice. Later, I joined Hoffman & Pollok, LLP, Allegaert, Berger and Vogel, LLP, and Marvin and Marvin, PLLC as “of counsel”. Currently, I practice in Kingston, New York, and Red Hook, New York, where I focus exclusively on criminal defense and traffic violations in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Bard College

M.A. (2010) | History

2008 - 2010

St. John's University School of Law

J.D. (1993) | Law

1990 - 1993

George Washington University - Virginia Campus

B.A. (1989) | Political Science

1985 - 1989

Honors: George Washington Award

Attorney

Law Offices of Michael Pollok, PLLC

1994 - Current

Use Video Hook Ups For Arraignments

New York Law Journal

January 15, 2014

The Requirements of Hurrell-Harring: Providing Counsel At Arraignments

The New York Law Journal

May 4, 2011

Social Hosting Law and Minors, DWI, Rhinebeck High School

2013

CLE: Representing the Impaired Client: DWI and DWAI, A Panel Discussion coordinated by Hon. Jonah Triebwasser

2015

AV Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence

Martindale Hubbell

Top 100

The National Trial Lawyers

Rating A+

BBB Accredited Business

National DUI Defense College

2013 - Current

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

2009 - Current

EDNY

Since 1994

NDNY

ID Number: 509667

Since 2022

New York

New York State Office of Court Administration

Since 1994

SDNY

Since 1994

1st Circuit

ID Number: 82511

Since 2002

2nd Circuit

Since 1996

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• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Most criminal cases are flat fees rather than hourly. There are no hidden costs and everything is disclosed upfront and in writing.

Q. Legal concerns about amber lights on a show car and related laws in NY.

July 4, 2025

A: 44.3 Amber lights.

(a) One or more amber lights may be affixed to a hazard vehicle as defined in section 117-a of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.

(b) One or more amber lights must be displayed upon a hazard vehicle when such vehicle is engaged in a hazardous operation which is the operation, or parking, of a vehicle on or immediately adjacent to a public highway while such vehicle is actually engaged in an operation which would restrict, impede, or interfere with the normal flow of traffic, and such lights may be displayed upon a hazard vehicle engaged in ice or snow removal or other hazardous operation on a parking lot or similar facility. Such amber lights must be visible to all approaching traffic under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet from such vehicle.

(c) Such light or lights shall not be required to be displayed during daylight hours provided at least two red flags visible from a distance of 500 feet are placed both in or on the front of, and to or on the rear of the vehicle and two such red flags are placed to each side of the vehicle open to traffic. The two red flags may be mounted on a single mast using a “Y” adapter.

(d) Such lights or flags need not be displayed on the vehicle when the vehicle is operating, or parked, within a barricaded work area and said lights or flags are displayed on the barricade.

(e) The temporary affixing and display of an amber light to be used as a warning light on a disabled motor vehicle or on a motor vehicle while it is stopped on a highway while engaged in an operation which would restrict, impede or interfere with the normal flow of traffic is not prohibited.

(f) Such amber light or lights must be mounted higher than the head lamps.

15 CRR-NY 44.3

Current through November 30, 2023 ... Read More

Q. Can my employer suspend or fire me for pending A-Misdemeanor charges?

June 11, 2025

A: New York is an at-will work state which means unless you have a contract of employment, your employer can fire you for many reasons. However, the NY Civil Rights law prevents ARBITRARY discrimination in employment due to an arrest or criminal history. Here are a couple links from NYS and NYC to explain further:

https://dhr.ny.gov/arrest-record-employment#:~:text=SHARE,a%20complaint%20with%20the%20Division

https://www.nyc.gov/assets/cchr/downloads/pdf/publications/fca-guide-book.pdf

Q. Will I receive a ticket after passing a stopped school bus in New York?

May 19, 2025

A: You may get a photo/ video ticket which doesn’t carry any points and only a fine. You will be able to sign in and view the video. If a police officer wrote you a ticket at the scene, under the new rules, you can get 8 points if convicted.