When criminal charges are filed against you, the stakes are high. If you are convicted, that conviction will likely remain on your record forever and have life-long consequences. A conviction can even lead to a loss of your freedom, which will drastically impact not just you, but your entire family. These are just a few of the reasons why being accused of a crime causes anxiety and fear.
I believe that there is no greater responsibility for an attorney than to zealously defend a client facing criminal charges. That’s why it’s my professional passion to give clients facing charges an aggressive and ethical defense.
I have successfully represented thousands of clients throughout Western Pennsylvania facing everything from an underage drinking or DUI charge to first-degree murder. If you find yourself charged (or about to be charged) with a summary, misdemeanor, or felony offense, please contact me immediately to schedule a free consultation.
Charges and Cases We Handle
ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition)
The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, known as ARD, is a program designed for people facing relatively minor criminal charges who have little to no prior criminal history. To be eligible, you generally have to have no prior misdemeanor or felony convictions (or at least none within the past 10 years). The primary benefit of the program is this: if you complete the program successfully, you avoid a criminal conviction and can expunge the arrest record. And while having your case accepted into the ARD program also offers other advantages, to name just one more for DUI cases in particular, when you are accepted into ARD, your license suspension may be significantly shortened (for example, from 1 year to 30 or 60 days). In short, ARD is a great program that represents one of the more humane aspects of our justice system, as it allows people who haven’t been in trouble before to avoid having a permanent stain on their record. For more information on the ARD Program, see our Common Questions page.
Appeals
If you don’t get the result you want at trial, outside of the PCRA context (which only allows you to raise a very few, narrowly-defined issues), you only get one shot at a direct appeal. To ensure you make the most out of this opportunity, you absolutely need competent counsel. The appeal process is simply too complex for a non-lawyer. In fact, many attorneys even refuse to handle appeals due to the process’s complexity.
When you’re looking to retain an attorney for your appeal, consider the skills that are most important: research, writing, and advocacy. When you have a strong appeal issue, these are the skills that must be marshaled to persuade the Court to rule in your favor. Throughout my career, I have worked extremely hard to develop these skills into strengths. I have both the talent and experience necessary to give you your best shot at winning your appeal.
Arrest Warrants
If there’s an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you want to immediately retain experienced counsel who can help you to make proper arrangements to turn yourself in. Moreover, in a serious case, you can expect that Police Detectives may be waiting for the opportunity to question you. There is no question that you should consult with Counsel before you agree to an interview.
Assault
The most common charges in assault cases include Simple assault, Harassment, Recklessly endangering another person, and Aggravated assault. In many, but certainly not all, assault cases, a mutually agreeable solution can be reached that involves the accused completing an anger management course in exchange for a reduction or withdrawal of charges. However, in cases involving serious injuries, alleged use of a weapon, etc., this type of negotiated settlement is likely not an option.
Bench Warrants
If you missed a court hearing for one reason or another, and the Court issued a warrant for your arrest as a result, contact counsel for help with the process of turning yourself in and trying to get the warrant lifted as soon as possible.
Burglary and Robbery
Burglary and Robbery are serious felony offenses. Common issues involved in Burglary and Robbery cases include a potential mistaken identification as well as simply false allegations manufactured by the accused’s enemies.
Criminal cases involving immigration issues
If you are a non-citizen and find yourself charged with a crime, the stakes cannot get much higher. Depending on the charge, a conviction could lead to deportation. It’s very important to work with experienced counsel who can help you to first identify potential immigration consequences, and then develop and execute a plan to help you to try and avoid them. This often involves separately consulting with an attorney who has specific experience assisting clients in immigration matters (experience that I, and most criminal defense attorneys, don’t have). I’ve successfully handled several cases on behalf of Legal Permanent Residents, and, in doing so, have worked closely with an experienced immigration counsel throughout the process.
Driving under the influence (DUI)
If ARD is not an option, and you want to fight the case, the most effective strategy will often involve the filing of a persuasive pre-trial motion attacking the constitutionality of the traffic stop leading to the arrest or some other aspect of the DUI investigation. As far as defense issues at trial itself, a common issue is whether the accused was actually driving or operating a motor vehicle.
As far as my specific experience in DUI cases, as an Assistant Public Defender, I was assigned to Allegheny County’s Phoenix Docket. There, I personally handled hundreds of DUIs. In most cases, I served by client’s best interest by working hard to ensure that my client got the best negotiated settlement possible. But in those cases where we had a winnable issue, we fought hard, and usually won. Indeed, I’ve successfully litigated many pre-trial motions in DUI matters. I’ve also taken several DUI cases to trial and secured not guilty verdicts.
If, in your situation, the best option is to reach a mutually agreeable settlement, I can use my extensive DUI experience to negotiate the best outcome possible. Moreover, if the best option is to fight the case, and perhaps litigate a pre-trial motion arguing that your constitutional rights were violated, or even take the case to trial, I will work tirelessly to get you the best result possible.
Drug Cases
Drug charges can range from relatively minor to extremely serious. For example, a person charged with possession only who has no prior misdemeanor or felony convictions may be eligible for a program called Probation Without Verdict (PWV). If you complete the program successfully, you can outright avoid a conviction and get your arrest record expunged.
If you are not eligible for PWV – because of a prior conviction, for example – the penalties for people charged with possession only who do not have a significant criminal history generally include completion of a probationary period as well as completion of drug and alcohol treatment.
A felony drug charge, including charges of Possession with intent to deliver (PWID) and Delivery, carries much more serious potential penalties. The type and weight of the drug(s) affect the severity. For example, the penalties for heroin are the most severe. And the more drug you are found to have possessed with the intent to deliver, the more severe the penalty.
One common issue in felony drug cases is whether the drug possessed was actually intended for delivery, or, instead, was meant for personal use. Common issues in both misdemeanor and felony drug cases include whether the accused possessed the drugs or they actually belonged to someone else (in the home, in the car etc.), as well as whether the drugs were recovered through a violation of the accused’s constitutional rights. I’ve handled hundreds of misdemeanor or felony drug cases, and have successfully litigated all of these common issues.
As a final note, if you are convicted of either the misdemeanor or felony drug charge, it’s important to understand that your license will automatically be suspended by PennDot. While this obviously doesn’t make a lick of sense, it’s a reality. Therefore, another reason to work with experienced counsel is to try and negotiate a resolution that can help you to avoid a license suspension.
Expungements
Many people don’t realize that, even if you’re found not guilty of a criminal charge, or even if your charges are reduced or withdrawn, the original charges filed against you will remain in the public record. Thankfully, in many such cases, there is a procedure that you can follow to erase both the fact of your arrest and the charges from your record. This process is referred to as an expungement. If you don’t pursue an expungement, however, the records reflecting your original arrest and charges will continue to be available to anyone interested in viewing them, including potential employers.
Depending on how your charges resolved, you may have a complete right to have the records expunged. Alternatively, you may need to prove to the Court why expungement is appropriate under the circumstances of your case. In either event, to begin the process of asking the Court to expunge your arrest record, you must prepare and file a Petition with the Court. To give yourself the best shot at successfully obtaining the expungement, you need effective legal representation.
Federal Crimes
Whether you’re facing a potential indictment or you’ve already been charged, when the federal government is handling the prosecution, the stakes don’t get much higher. You need effective legal counsel immediately.
I have substantial experience in federal civil cases and state criminal cases. I’ve also recently begun handling federal criminal cases, including several involving felony drug charges.
Firearms Possession
The consequences of an unlawful firearm possession conviction can be very severe. For example, in many cases where a person is charged with Persons not to possess a firearm based on a prior felony conviction, the accused is facing a potential lengthy state prison sentence if convicted. The issues in firearm cases are oftentimes similar to those in drug cases: whether the accused actually possessed the firearm or it belonged to someone else (in the home, in the car etc.), as well as whether the firearm was recovered through a violation of the accused’s constitutional rights. Over the past few years, I’ve successfully tried to verdict several firearms cases.
PCRA
(Post-Conviction Relief Act)
If you believe you were wrongfully convicted and you’ve already lost on direct appeal, filing a petition under Pennsylvania’s Post-Conviction Relief Act may be your last, best hope. I’m currently handling many PCRA matters right now. I have the talent and experience to give you your best shot. Give me a call if you are considering filing a PCRA.
Probation Violations
There are a wide range of possible penalties for a probation violation. For example, if you are violating your probation because of a new criminal conviction, particularly a conviction on a charge similar to the one you’re on probation for, you may be facing a possible lengthy incarceration sentence. You need an attorney.
Indeed, if there is an issue of fact as to whether you actually violated your probation, your attorney advocate can make sure the Judge understands your side of the story. Skilled counsel can also help to mitigate the damage if you’re a convicted violator by educating the Judge on the positive things you’ve things done since your initial sentence
Resisting Arrest
This charge is usually attached to another alleged offense, such as an assault or disorderly conduct charge. Depending on the seriousness of the alleged conduct supporting this charge, you may be able to negotiate a reduction of this charge or perhaps even gain an outright dismissal before trial. In contrast, the related but more serious charge of Aggravated assault against a police officer may carry much more severe potential penalties.
Suppression Motions and Hearings
Particularly in firearm and drug cases, the most important part of the case is often the pre-trial motion attacking the constitutionality of the search that led to the discovery of the evidence against you. I have substantial experience with handling suppression issues, and I can help you to take your best shot at winning your pre-trial motion.
Theft and Receiving Stolen Property Offenses
For first-time offenders, entry into the ARD Program may be an attractive option. More information on the ARD Program is available in the Common Questions section of this website. Similarly, when the accused has little to no prior criminal history and the alleged dollar amount isn’t tremendously high, Counsel may be able to negotiate a settlement that calls for payment of restitution in full in exchange for a reduction or withdrawal of the charges. Moreover, many people accused of theft simply didn’t commit the offense they’re alleged to have committed. Indeed, it’s not uncommon for former employers, friends, or lovers to make false theft accusations out of spite. In that case, you should prepare to defend the allegations.
Unsworn Falsification
We see this charge most commonly in connection with an application to purchase a firearm or obtain a license to carry permit. Particularly if you have a significant prior criminal history, these charges carry a potential heavy penalty. One important thing to realize is that this crime generally requires that the government prove you intentionally or knowingly entered false information on the application form. This means that, contrary to many people’s mistaken assumption, it is not a crime simply to make an honest mistake when completing the application form. I have a lot of experience successfully handling these types of cases.