If you or a loved one has recently been arrested and/or charged with criminal wrongdoing in Erie County, you have options. Don't be persuaded that the best pathway forward is to simply plead guilty. Under many circumstances, it is possible to push back against criminal charges effectively. By exploring every possible angle of your case with the assistance of the reputable LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team, you'll be empowered to make informed decisions about your situation overall. With so much at stake, you need a legal team advocating for your interests with a proven record of success in Erie County and across Pennsylvania. Call 888-535-3686 or reach out to us online now to learn more about how we can help.
Three Categories of Offenses
Some kinds of alleged criminal wrongdoing result in a single charge, while others result in multiple charges. Depending on the ins and outs of your situation, you may need to defend against a charge or charges in one or more of the three primary categories of offenses prosecuted in Pennsylvania. If your charges include misdemeanor or felony concerns, pursuing a reclassification of that charge or charges to a lesser category may be a viable defense strategy.
Summary Offense: These are the least serious criminal infractions prosecuted under Pennsylvania law. However, they are more serious than a traffic citation and can result in fines or jail time. These non-traffic offenses are resolved largely at the discretion of Magisterial District Judges.
Misdemeanor: These offenses, which are usually decided by a Court of Common Pleas, are more serious than summary offenses. Conviction of a misdemeanor offense can result in fines, a term of incarceration of between one and five years, and a host of other penalties. A defendant's circumstances and the severity of the alleged wrongdoing will determine the potential consequences associated with a misdemeanor charge or charges.
Felony: Felonies, also overseen by a Court of Common Pleas, are the most serious kinds of criminal charges prosecuted in Pennsylvania. A felony conviction can result in sentences of incarceration for seven years or more, in addition to other penalties. Additionally, the collateral consequences associated with being convicted of a felony can potentially last a lifetime.
Common Types of Criminal Offenses
Regardless of the kind(s) of criminal charges you may be facing in Erie County, you need to treat your situation with the seriousness that it deserves. The LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team has extensive experience successfully advocating against all kinds of criminal defense charges on behalf of our clients. Some of the most common charges that we handle include the following.
DUI: Not all motorists feel the effects of alcohol in their system until they've exceeded the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit by a significant degree. It is, therefore, relatively easy to find oneself on the wrong end of an impaired driving charge. The same can be said for impairment charges stemming from the use of prescription – or even over-the-counter – drugs. Thankfully, there are ways to successfully defend against DUI charges in Pennsylvania.
Drug Crimes: State and federal drug laws are both complex and rarely stay consistent for long. As a result, if you are facing drug charges, know that personalized guidance tailored to your unique circumstances can help you to better determine the best way to respond to your situation. Drug Court may be an option. Plea deals, fighting back in court, and a number of other opportunities may be viable options as well.
Juvenile Offenses: When a minor is accused of wrongdoing, the consequences of that situation can impact their future in truly negative ways. Instead of letting a young person – whose brain is still developing – bear the brunt of their situation without assistance, it is almost always wise to seek legal guidance on their behalf. Doing so can help to ensure that their potential isn't squashed by circumstance and that their future either remains bright or brightens, perhaps for the first time in a long while.
Parole/Probation Violation: Judges may react harshly when an individual violates the terms of a parole or probation order. Common responses to violations include extensions of supervisory terms and revocation of an order/reinstatement of a term of incarceration. Given the stakes of this kind of offense, it's important to be proactive if a misstep or misunderstanding has led to a violation of a standing order.
Sex Crimes: Prosecutors, judges, and legislators are famous for treating sex crimes as particularly grave offenses. Depending on your circumstances, you could face a requirement to register as a sex offender for life. And even if that requirement isn't imposed, the social stigma of this particular offense can affect your life in ways that are best avoided.
Traffic Violations: If you have been cited with a traffic infraction that is more serious than a low-level traffic ticket, you could be facing the suspension of your driver's license, fines, and increased insurance premiums. You could even be facing more serious consequences than these. If so, the time to defend against these charges is now.
Contact an Erie County Criminal Defense Lawyer to Learn More
If you're facing criminal charges, your future is at stake. From incarceration to social stigma, fines to challenges securing housing, you could face any number of consequences in the event that you are convicted of the accusations you're facing. Therefore, it's important to safeguard your interests to the best of your ability. Thankfully, you don't have to navigate the process of defending your reputation, your freedom, and your very future alone.
The respected attorneys of the LLF Law Firm can begin aggressively advocating to protect your rights and secure a favorable outcome to your circumstances as soon as we've been alerted to your situation. If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Erie County, contact the LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team today. Call 888-535-3686 or reach out to us online for client-focused assistance and to learn about how we can help. We look forward to taking your call.
