When you've been charged with a crime, figuring out your next steps can be overwhelming. Making the wrong choice can have serious, long-term ramifications for you.
The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team assists our clients in Forest County and throughout Pennsylvania with understanding their options. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.
Levels of Criminal Offenses
Depending on the severity of the alleged crime, criminal charges fall under three categories. In Pennsylvania, the three levels of criminal charges are:
- Summary offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Felonies
Summary offenses are the least severe, while felonies are the most severe. All can lead to convictions and plea deals that have a long-term impact on your life.
Even if someone is found or pleads guilty, the crime they're convicted of may differ from the initial charges. Someone can be convicted of or plead guilty to a lesser offense.
For example, shoplifting charges range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the value of what was stolen. Stealing a $100 sweater is a summary offense with a maximum fine of $300. Stealing a $3,000 sweater is a felony with a maximum fine of $15,000.
Summary Offenses
Summary offenses are the least serious of criminal charges. The maximum sentence for imprisonment is up to 90 days, but the majority of summary offense convictions don't result in jail time. Penalties such as paying a fine are more common. Depending on the crime, a summary offense conviction may or may not appear on criminal background checks.
Summary offenses are generally minor violations of the law. Traffic and non-traffic offenses, violations of local ordinances, truancy violations, and sales tax and liquor code offenses are all summary offenses.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors are the middle ground of Pennsylvania criminal charges and cover several types of criminal activity. Pennsylvania has three degrees of misdemeanors:
- Misdemeanors of the third degree, which are the least serious
- Misdemeanors of the second degree
- Misdemeanors of the first degree, which are the most serious
Each degree has its own sentencing guidelines. Individuals who are convicted of a misdemeanor may face prison time, probation, or fines.
Felonies
Felonies cover the most serious crimes. Felonies also have three degrees of severity, with each degree having specific sentencing guidelines.
The most serious of crimes is murder of the first or second degree. They have separate guidelines, and anyone convicted may be sentenced to either life imprisonment or a death sentence.
Criminal Courts in Forest County
The first step in the criminal process in Forest County is to appear before either the Court of Common Pleas or a Magisterial District Court. The charges and the procedures for the alleged crime determine which court a defendant goes in front of first.
Pennsylvania requires defendants to be physically present at all court appearances. If a defendant is unable to attend a court appearance, they need to inform the court and their attorney as soon as possible. The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team assists our clients in making sure they're able to be present for all court appearances.
A defendant who fails to appear or arrives late often opens themselves up to other fines and charges. Defendants should work with their attorneys to make sure they have all of the relevant information, such as the location, time, and date, for appearances.
If a crime occurs in Forest County, the county will generally be responsible for filing charges, and hearing the case that a defendant or other involved individual lives elsewhere in Pennsylvania or in another state doesn't matter as far as where charges are filed.
If a crime occurs in multiple counties or states, deciding which court will hear the case may be more complicated. In general, crimes that occur in multiple states become a federal issue. Alleged crimes that occur in multiple counties in Pennsylvania can be more challenging, but courts will often look for where the majority or key part of a crime occurred.
Magisterial District Courts
Pennsylvania's court system has five levels. The highest court is the state Supreme Court. Court cases often begin at the Magisterial District Courts. These courts handle criminal and civil matters. For criminal cases, the magisterial district court's responsibilities include:
- Acting as the Court of Initial Jurisdiction for criminal matters
- Issuing:
- Arrest warrants and summonses
- Search warrants
- Subpoenas
- Emergency protection from abuse (PFA) orders
- Setting and accepting bail
- Conducting:
- Preliminary arraignments for anyone who is arrested
- Preliminary hearings for misdemeanor and felony cases
- Trials on all summary cases
- Arraigning anyone who violates restraining orders such as PFAs
Even a “minor” crime can have a serious impact on your life. The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team can help you navigate the process in a Magisterial District Court.
Magisterial Districts Located in Forest County
Forest County is part of the 37th Judicial District. The county has two Magisterial District Courts.
The office for Magisterial District 37-4-93 is located at:
526 Elm Street, #7
Tionesta, PA 16353
Its phone number is (814) 755-3579.
The office for Magisterial District 37-4-03 is located at:
271 Oak Lane
Marienville, PA 16239
Its phone number is (814) 927-8585.
Given the similarity between the two office numbers, defendants should make sure they have the correct information for court appearances.
Forest County Court of Common Pleas
Forest County shares the 37th Judicial District with Warren County. All judges within the district have offices at the Warren County Courthouse. They travel to the Forest County Courthouse as needed. The majority of the district's administrative offices are also located at the Warren County Courthouse.
The Forest County Court of Common Pleas is located at:
526 Elm Street, #3
Tionesta, PA 16353
Its phone number is (814) 755-3537.
The Warren County Court of Common Pleas is located at:
204 Fourth Avenue
Warren, PA 16365-2362
Its phone number is (814) 728-3530.
While the Magisterial District Court handles most initial hearings, felony and misdemeanor cases generally move over to the Court of Common Pleas.
Forest County Criminal Procedures
Individuals must be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to be convicted of a crime. Being found guilty after a trial, being acquitted, accepting a plea deal, or entering a diversionary program are all possible endings for criminal cases.
While each criminal case is different, the general process is:
- An alleged crime occurs
- Law enforcement investigates
- Charges are filed
- Preliminary arraignment, or the first appearance before a court
- Pretrial actions, such as discovery, motions, and pleas
- Pretrial conference
- Trial
- If found guilty, sentencing
A prosecutor can drop charges at any time. Defendants will often have until a trial begins to accept a plea deal.
There are advantages and disadvantages to accepting a plea deal versus going to court. When a case goes to trial, a defendant has their day in court. They may be acquitted. They have the right to appeal. The downside is if they're found guilty, they have little input into their sentence.
Plea deals, in comparison, often involve a defendant agreeing to a lesser charge. Defendants and their lawyers often have more input into their sentencing. The downside is that plea deals generally require admitting to some level of guilt and prohibit defendants from appealing. A defendant should always have the final say about whether to take a plea deal.
Forest County Attorneys
A criminal conviction can have permanent, negative consequences on your life, your goals, and your future. Knowing what to do can be overwhelming.
The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team focuses on explaining the criminal process and its options to our clients. We support our clients by building strong defenses and giving them the information they need to take control of their choices. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.
