If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime in Westmoreland County, it's important not to panic. Indulging in emotional responses to your situation could compromise the strength of your defense. Instead, reach out to the respected LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team for client-focused guidance that is uniquely tailored to your circumstances. Our team has extensive experience assisting criminal defendants across Pennsylvania, and we've earned a record and a reputation that speak for themselves. Let us to put our experience to work for your benefit today by calling 888-535-3686 or reaching out to us online.
Three Classes of Offenses
Depending on your circumstances, you could be facing a single charge of criminal wrongdoing, or multiple charges. Each offense will be initially classified in one of the three following ways. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, getting your charge(s) reclassified may be part of the overall defense strategy that our team employs on your behalf.
Summary Offense: These infractions are more serious than a traffic citation and less serious than a misdemeanor. Individuals who are found guilty of these offenses by Magisterial District Judges can potentially face up to 90 days in jail or a fine. These infractions are sometimes referred to as non-traffic offenses.
Misdemeanor: These offenses are generally heard by a Court of Common Pleas. Depending on the severity of the offense in question – and the overall context of a defendant's situation – a misdemeanors conviction can result in a sentence of between one and five years.
Felony: Felonies are also decided by a Court of Common Pleas. A conviction for a felony offense can result in sentences of seven or more years of imprisonment. The collateral consequences of a felony criminal record can impact an individual for life.
Types of Criminal Offenses
There are a number of charges that may be filed against individuals in Westmoreland County. It's important to treat each kind of charge with the seriousness that it deserves. Regardless of whether you've been accused of a “lesser” summary offense, a mid-range misdemeanor, or a serious felony, a conviction could impact your well-being, your loved ones, and your future opportunities. It's time to fight back. These are just a few of the kinds of criminal offenses that the LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team has experience advocating against successfully.
DUI: It is surprisingly easy to think that you're sober enough to drive, when your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is actually exceeding legal limits. If you've made a mistake – or a misunderstanding has occurred – know that there are a variety of ways to defend against impaired driving charges that are worth exploring.
Drug Crimes: Drug laws are constantly evolving. If you're facing drug charges, you'll want to benefit from personalized feedback unique to your circumstances. That way, you'll be able to make informed decisions about pushing back against the charges vs. participating in Drug Court, etc.
Juvenile Offenses: The consequences of juvenile offenses can impact a young person's future for years to come. Parents and guardians should resist any temptation to let a juvenile learn their lessons “the hard way.” Seeking legal guidance can help to safeguard a young person's opportunities and their potential.
Sex Crimes: It is possible that if you're convicted of a sex offense, you could face a lifelong requirement to register as a sex offender, in addition to any other consequences that you may face as a result of your sentence and criminal record. You'll want to avoid this outcome if at all possible by mounting a solid defense to the charges you're facing.
Traffic Offenses: Some traffic infractions result in far more than an inconvenient fine. The potential for increased insurance premiums, license suspension, and a host of other challenges inspire many motorists to fight back against such charges.
Violation of Parole/Probation: When the terms of an individual's parole or probation are violated, the court can impose significant consequences. Incarceration and extended supervision are common responses to a violation. Don't hide and hope that the court doesn't notice. Be proactive in safeguarding your rights if a misunderstanding or misstep has caused you to violate the terms of an existing agreement.
Violent Crimes: The majority of violent offenses are categorized as serious misdemeanors or as felonies. As a result, if you've been charged with this kind of wrongdoing, you're risking significant imprisonment in the event of a conviction. The time to start building your defense strategy is now.
White Collar Crime: A conviction for a white collar offense could result in lifelong career consequences, in addition to fines, imprisonment, and additional collateral challenges. Due to the complexity of white collar cases, crafting a thoughtful defense strategy can give you the best opportunity to mitigate or avoid these burdens altogether.
It is additionally worth noting that our team has extensive experience with expungement/record sealing, in the event that you have already served your debt to society and are hoping to relieve yourself of the ongoing burdens associated with a criminal record.
Contact a Westmoreland County Criminal Defense Attorney Today
There is so much at stake if you are facing criminal charges in Westmoreland County that you need to safeguard your interests as proactively as possible. Although every case is unique, you're going to be in for a great deal of stress, at an absolute minimum, if your case doesn't go your way. At worst, you could be facing steep fines, incarceration, and life-long collateral consequences associated with a criminal record. Thankfully, the skilled and reputable attorneys of the LLF Law Firm are available to begin aggressively advocating on your behalf right away.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Westmoreland County, contact the LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or reach out to us online for personalized assistance. We look forward to hearing from you.
