No one in Cambria County wakes up thinking today will be the day they get arrested. Despite that, Cambria County law enforcement makes arrests on a variety of charges every day. Regardless of whether the charge is a misdemeanor or felony, one thing is certain. You will be better off without a criminal conviction of any kind on your record. That's why your choice of defense attorney is so critically important.
Have you been arrested and charged with a crime in Cambria County, Pennsylvania? It is a frightening experience, and the Cambria County District Attorney's Office will seek to hold you fully accountable for whatever offense led to the arrest. A conviction could lead to you being imprisoned, fined, or both. However, an arrest doesn't have to lead to a conviction. Call the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or contact us online today.
Why Representation Matters in a Criminal Trial
Whenever you are arrested and arraigned, the court clerk announces that the District Attorney is representing the people of Cambria County against you. It's a scary experience, and it gets worse when the charges are read out in open court. Never forget that you can level the playing field in this battle for your freedom and reputation by exercising your right to legal counsel. Your defense attorneys will represent you and only you.
That's why it matters who you choose to represent you. Under the law, you have the right to a public defender, who will be assigned to you by the Cambria County court. They will defend you, but public defenders are often overworked and may lack the resources necessary to mount a solid criminal defense. However, the LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team has years of experience fighting charges and winning cases.
When we represent you, our team works to build a defense strategy that maximizes your chance of a positive outcome. We take a comprehensive and personalized approach to criminal defense. Our team will identify, isolate, and attack weaknesses in the prosecution's case and then highlight them for the judge and jury. This strategy can help us raise reasonable doubt for the jury as well as motivate prosecutors to agree to reduce charges in your case.
Felony Criminal Defense in Cambria County
Pennsylvania law takes felony offenses very seriously because they involve crimes that pose an elevated danger to the public or have already resulted in severe harm to a person and/or private property. Accordingly, the punishment for felony convictions in Pennsylvania can carry significant prison sentences and financial penalties. Cambria County prosecutors are known to zealously prosecute felony cases because they see doing so as fulfilling their responsibility to protect public safety.
Unfortunately, the rights of the accused can often get lost in this process, and that's why having a capable Criminal Defense Team is so critical. No matter what the charges are, your life will never be the same after a felony conviction. You owe it to yourself and your family to have attorneys who fight for you with the same vigor that the prosecutor fights for the people of Cambria County.
More importantly, we know how high the stakes are for you. We believe in your right to face your accuser, and our team will force Cambria County prosecutors to meet the legal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Examples of the felony charges we can fight for you include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Violent crimes such as assault, weapons-related offenses, or armed robbery
- Drug offenses such as possession with intent to distribute or manufacturing controlled substances
- Sexually based offenses, including sexual assault or rape
- Felony DUI for cases where you have previous convictions or are charged with causing an accident that led to injury or death while driving under the influence
- Corporate crimes such as embezzlement, forgery, or wire fraud
- Parole and Probation Violations
Why Even Misdemeanor Offenses Are Worth Fighting
Many people view incarceration or fines as the most severe consequences of a criminal conviction. However, the ramifications of even a misdemeanor criminal conviction can adversely affect your life for years after you've paid your debt to society. Even first-offense convictions for misdemeanor charges like shoplifting, drug possession, or driving with an open container can become part of a permanent criminal record that will follow you everywhere.
That means every time you apply for an apartment or even a job, whoever conducts the background check may be able to discover your conviction. Depending on the nature of the offense and the level of competition for the opening, one indiscretion or misunderstanding from years in your past could be the difference between success or failure.
Another thing to consider is that Pennsylvania law has a system of progressive punishment where the penalties are almost always more severe for subsequent convictions. That means even one misdemeanor conviction could result in additional prison time or fines if you are convicted of a second offense. One of the best ways to guard against that possibility is to hire the LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team as your legal counsel.
A Conviction Could Cost More than Your Freedom
Losing your freedom and paying heavy fines is bad enough, but felony convictions often carry secondary punishments. If you hold a professional license in Pennsylvania or any other state, being convicted of a felony (or even certain misdemeanors) could jeopardize your career. Most professional licensing boards require licensees to report felony convictions, and they can sanction or suspend your professional license.
The LLF Law Firm also has a Professional License Defense Team that can defend your license in these situations. However, we believe the best way to defend your professional license is by successfully defending you at the criminal trial. That's why we exhaust every option to help you avoid felony convictions.
Criminal Charges Do Not Have to Lead to Criminal Convictions
Police and prosecutors are public servants, but they are not infallible. They can make good-faith mistakes, and different witnesses can have different recollections about the same event. That's why the standard of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt exists. It's also why you have the right to counsel after you've been arrested. The fact that you were arrested does not mean you will be found guilty or that your situation is hopeless.
Having effective legal representation is your best weapon against being convicted in a Cambria County criminal case. You have the right to an attorney, but you deserve more than that. You deserve attorneys who is committed to fighting for your best interests and the best possible outcome in your case. Call the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or contact us online today.
