Stephen Bilkis

Stephen Bilkis graduated from Touro Law School in 1997. Soon after he passed the bar exam of New York and established the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates. In over 20 years of practice, Mr. Bilkis has successfully represented scores of clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island, and Staten Island in matters related to personal injury, probate law, criminal law, and family law.

Mr. Bilkis strongly believes that each client is unique and each case is different. His solutions are never “one size fits all.” He prides himself on listening to his clients, reviewing all facets of each case, and using his deep knowledge of New York law to come up with individualized solutions for each client.

Stephen Bilkis has been a member of various national and local bar organizations and associations including the New York State Bar Association, American Prepaid Legal Institute, the American Association for Justice, AARP Legal Services Network, and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.

Stephen Bilkis and the staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have well-earned reputations as knowledgeable and effective attorneys who fight for their clients’ legal rights. Because of this, the firm, its attorneys, and some of their notable cases or clients, in whole or in part, have been mentioned on several media outlets including CNN, CBS, CNBC, and ABC New York, as well as in the New York Times, New York Post and Newsday.

• Car Accidents

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New York

Since 1997

Head of Law Office

Stephen Bilkis & Associates

Current

Touro Law School

10.0 Rating

Justia

AFL-CIO Union Privilege Legal Plan

Plan Administrator

Current

American Prepaid Legal Institute

Member

Current

New York State Trial Lawyers

Member

Current

New York State Bar  # 2842938

Member

1997 - Current

Union Plus Benefits for AFL-CIO Union Members Newsletter

Union Plus

Union Plus, AFL-CIO Legal Benefits Conference, Washington, DC

AFL-CIO

Gave yearly talks about employment benefit packages to the AFL-CIO Union leaders and members

Accepted Member

Writers Guild of America East

Q. Can prior undocumented crimes affect current charges?

March 31, 2025

A: This is an important question, especially when it involves serious felony charges. In New York, a person cannot be formally charged or sentenced for prior crimes unless those acts are separately prosecuted or admitted under oath during a court proceeding. However, prior undocumented or uncharged criminal acts may still influence the way a current case is handled at different stages, such as investigation, plea negotiations, and sentencing.

If Peter admitted to committing multiple similar offenses after being arrested for assaulting and robbing a pizza delivery person, those statements can be relevant even though the prior acts were not reported or prosecuted. While his admission alone may not increase the statutory level of the charges he currently faces, prosecutors could use that information to argue that he has a pattern of behavior that poses a continued threat to public safety. This could affect how aggressively they prosecute the current case and whether they seek the highest possible sentence.

Peter is currently facing charges of Gang Assault in the Second Degree under Penal Law § 120.06 and Robbery in the First Degree under Penal Law § 160.15. Both are violent felonies, and both carry significant penalties, including potential state prison time. His admissions to similar prior acts could influence how prosecutors approach plea negotiations, possibly resulting in fewer or no offers of leniency. Additionally, if convicted, a judge may consider those admissions during sentencing as aggravating factors that warrant a harsher penalty.

While evidence of uncharged prior acts is generally not admissible at trial to show a defendant's criminal character, it may be introduced for specific purposes under New York’s evidentiary rules. If the prior acts are sufficiently similar and relevant to show intent, motive, identity, or a common scheme or plan, the court might permit their limited use. This is often referred to as a Molineux exception, named after a New York case that established the rule.

Overall, even though Peter may not face new charges for the prior crimes unless law enforcement pursues them separately, his admissions could significantly affect how his current case unfolds. He should consult with an experienced New York criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to protect his rights and determine how best to address the impact of those statements.

This response is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized guidance, please consult a qualified criminal defense attorney licensed in New York. ... Read More

Q. Is letting go in a hand wrestling game legally considered hitting someone in NY?

March 31, 2025

A: In New York, whether your actions amount to an unlawful physical act depends on several factors, including intent, consent, and the foreseeable consequences of your conduct. While the person consented to participate in the hand wrestling game, that consent does not automatically shield you from liability if your conduct went beyond what was reasonably expected in the context of the activity.

Under New York Penal Law § 120.00, assault in the third degree occurs when a person intentionally or recklessly causes physical injury to another person. Even though you did not strike the person directly, you acknowledged that you intended to cause harm by letting go of their fist, which resulted in the other person accidentally hitting themselves and sustaining a black eye. The injury was a direct and foreseeable result of your intentional act.

Consent is a defense in some situations, particularly where the conduct is part of a mutually agreed-upon activity that carries some inherent risk—such as sports. However, the key question is whether the injured person consented to the specific risk that caused the injury. Here, you admit that the other person did not know you would let go. That suggests they did not consent to this specific act or to the risk it created. If the game did not typically involve letting go, and you did so with the intent to cause harm or with reckless disregard for the outcome, a court could find that the act exceeded the scope of consent and constituted unlawful conduct.

From a criminal perspective, prosecutors would evaluate the facts to determine whether to bring charges. While a black eye may not amount to serious physical injury, it could meet the legal standard for physical injury, which includes impairment of physical condition or substantial pain.

There could also be civil implications. The other person could potentially bring a personal injury claim for negligence or intentional tort (such as battery), especially if they incurred medical expenses or suffered ongoing effects.

You should consider speaking with a criminal defense attorney if you believe you may face legal consequences. An attorney can advise you based on all the facts and determine whether your conduct could expose you to criminal or civil liability.

This response is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized guidance, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in New York. ... Read More

Q. Landlord didn't disclose lead paint, child affected, options?

March 31, 2025

A: I’m sorry to hear about your child’s health issue and the stress this situation has caused. Exposure to lead, especially for young children, can have serious and lasting effects. In New York, landlords have specific legal responsibilities when it comes to disclosing and addressing the presence of lead-based paint in residential properties, and failure to comply can lead to liability.

Under both federal law (Title X of the Housing and Community Development Act) and New York State law, landlords must disclose any known information about lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards before renting most residential properties built before 1978. They must provide tenants with a lead hazard information pamphlet approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), disclose any known lead hazards in the property, and include specific language in the lease regarding these disclosures. If your landlord failed to do this, they may be in violation of both federal and state law.

In addition, New York City has its own lead paint laws under Local Law 1 of 2004, which requires landlords of multiple dwellings built before 1960 (and certain buildings built between 1960 and 1978) to proactively identify and remediate lead-based paint hazards in apartments where children under the age of six reside. If your unit falls within the scope of this law and the landlord failed to conduct lead inspections or remediation, they could be held liable for noncompliance.

If your child has tested positive for elevated blood lead levels and the exposure is traced to the rental property, you may have a claim for negligence, breach of the warranty of habitability, and violation of consumer protection laws. In such cases, you may be entitled to damages that go beyond the $2,500 offered by your landlord, including compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and possibly long-term health monitoring or educational support.

You may also file a complaint with your local health department, which can conduct an inspection and issue violations if lead hazards are found. This documentation can support any legal claims you pursue.

Given the potential seriousness of the health impacts and legal violations, you should speak with a personal injury or tenant rights attorney familiar with lead exposure cases. An attorney can help you determine whether to accept the landlord’s offer, negotiate a higher settlement, or file a lawsuit for damages.

This response is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized guidance, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in New York. ... Read More

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