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AREAS OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE
- DUI ("DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE")
- DRUG/NARCOTICS POSSESSION & DISTRIBUTION
- WEAPONS OFFENSES
- CRIMES OF VIOLENCE
- SEX CRIMES
- THEFT & BURGLARY
- "WHITE COLLAR" CRIMES
- INTERNET & COMPUTER CRIMES
A. DUI ("DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE")
Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is a very serious matter. If you operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana or any other illegal substance, you can also be charged with a crime. In addition, many prescription drugs and some over-the-counter medications carry specific warnings that they may also impair your abilities and should not be used while operating any dangerous equipment, including motor vehicles. Check the labels on all medications carefully. Do not get behind the wheel if you are taking any medications that are incompatible with safe driving.
A DUI arrest actually involves two separate cases in the form of one drunk driving charge. The first is the criminal case. The second and less familiar case is the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) administrative suspension or revocation of your driver's license. The criminal charges are governed by criminal law, while the DMV driver's license suspension or revocation is governed by administrative and civil law.
With respect to the criminal charges, there are serious constitutional implications that are present in most DUI cases. For example, the stop of your vehicle may have been illegal, or perhaps the officer failed to read your "Miranda Warnings" during questioning. In some instances, an officer may illegally deny you the right to take an blood alcohol test of your choice. A thorough analysis of the police report is one of the most critical factors in your defense.
If you are convicted of a DUI offense, you may be required to pay a fine and perhaps even serve a minimum term of imprisonment, in addition to having your driver's license suspended. For subsequent offenses, you may face increased fines and incarceration, in addition to longer terms of license suspension or revocation, or even the loss of driving privileges for life. You may also be ordered to participate in an alcohol or drug treatment and education program. Further, if you seriously injure or kill another person while operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you may face additional charges and civil lawsuits.
B. DRUG/NARCOTICS POSSESSION & DISTRIBUTION
Drug offenses range from simple possession to possession with the intent to distribute (also known as drug trafficking). These offenses are serious, and can have far-reaching consequences including lengthy jail time, significant fines and forfeiture of your personal property. In such cases, the District Attorney has the option to remove your case to Federal court, because the penalties under the federal sentencing guidelines are much more severe than under the state guidelines.
Possession of an illegal substance could also involve possession of a prescription drug that is not prescribed by an authorized physician. The intent to distribute (drug trafficking) is an ungraded felony and carries much more serious penalties than simple possession. You do not have to sell drugs to be charged with intent to distribute. Giving drugs to someone else for recreational use is considered distribution. The quantity of drugs that you possess can also be used to prove intent to distribute.
C. WEAPONS OFFENSES
Weapons offenses may involve both misdemeanor and felony charges ranging from unlawful possession of firearms, to possession of an instrument of a crime, to violations of the Uniform Firearms Act (UFA), to assault with a deadly weapon, and other serious crimes. In many cases, mitigating circumstances exist which may reduce, or even negate, criminal culpability. If you have been arrested for any criminal weapons offense, contact an experienced and competent criminal defense attorney immediately to protect your rights.
D. CRIMES OF VIOLENCE
If you are charged with murder or assault, a conviction could cost you years of your freedom. You cannot afford to waste a moment in obtaining an experienced and aggressive criminal defense lawyer. In Pennsylvania, life in prison means life in prison without the possibility of parole. The only way you can be released if you are serving a life sentence is through a Governor's pardon. Also, if you are convicted of murder in the first degree in Pennsylvania, you are subject to the death penalty.
Domestic Violence has also become a crime that is more aggressively pursued by the District Attorney's Office, and these cases are generally vigorously prosecuted.
E. SEX CRIMES
An accusation of sexual assault can tarnish a person's reputation and lead to serious social and professional consequences. Sex crimes are among the most feared criminal charges, and the sentences for individuals convicted of sexual assault can range from probation to a lengthy prison sentence. These offenses require the delicate expertise that only an experienced criminal defense attorney can provide.
An accusation of sexual assault should always be considered serious. Because of the gravity of the situation and the fact that a sexual assault conviction carries such severe consequences, you should immediately seek the services of an attorney who has experience in representing defendants in sexual assault cases.
F. THEFT & BURGLARY
Theft and robbery are terms that describe the unlawful taking of someone's property. Burglary is the crime of breaking into and entering a structure with the intent to commit a felony, such as theft. There are various degrees of the crime of theft, based on the presence of people and whether a deadly weapon was used.
Theft by unlawful taking could involve using another person's credit card or identity theft. It could also include receiving stolen property, welfare or insurance fraud and mail fraud.
G. "WHITE COLLAR" CRIMES
"White collar" crimes include offenses such as bank fraud, bribery, embezzlement, making false statements to government agencies, civil rights violations, healthcare fraud (including Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse), securities fraud (including insider trading) and tax fraud or evasion. These cases may be tried in federal or state courts, and may involve stiff penalties, including lengthy incarceration.
H. INTERNET & COMPUTER CRIMES
With the prevalence of computers today, internet crimes are becoming more common. These offenses may include sex crimes, such as allegations of possessing or transmitting child pornography, internet theft and fraud, identity theft, computer hacking and other cyber crimes. With the use of advanced technology to uncover evidence on your computer, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who is familiar with those techniques.
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