Fulton County, Pennsylvania, can be a scary place if you've been arrested and charged with a crime. Even misdemeanor criminal convictions can carry jail time and leave you with a criminal record. Felony convictions carry long prison sentences and hefty fines. However, criminal charges don't automatically result in criminal convictions. A dedicated and skilled Fulton County criminal defense lawyer can fight for your right to face your accusers at a fair trial.
Have you been arrested or indicted in Fulton County, Pennsylvania? The outcome of your trial will have repercussions that last a lifetime. In addition to destroying your reputation, a criminal conviction could cost you your freedom and thousands of dollars in fines. That's why your choice in defense counsel is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Call the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team at 888.535.3686 or contact us online.
Pennsylvania's Multi-Tiered Criminal Offense Classifications
The Pennsylvania Criminal Code is several hundred pages long and outlines thousands of offenses. However, it organizes criminal offenses by grouping them into one of the following categories:
- Summary Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Felonies
Summary offenses, also commonly known as “non-traffic offenses,” are the least serious of the three in terms of potential punishment. Most criminal cases involving summary offenses are dealt with in preliminary hearings by a magistrate. That does not, however, mean summary offenses shouldn't be taken seriously. A conviction could result in you being fined and/or jailed for up to 90 days in Fulton County.
Misdemeanors in Pennsylvania
Misdemeanor offenses are one step up in seriousness from summary offenses. Although it's true that misdemeanor convictions are not as serious as felonies, you should not take them lightly. Convictions for misdemeanors in Fulton County can result in prison terms ranging from one to five years. Judges can also levy fines up to $10,000. Another important consideration with misdemeanors is that they can be the first steps toward long-term legal trouble.
The penalties for subsequent offenses increase in severity with each conviction, and some cases that would normally be misdemeanors can be classified as felonies if you have prior convictions. That's why it's important to fight misdemeanor cases and not reflexively accept a misdemeanor plea deal before consulting with a member of our Criminal Defense Team.
Although there are hundreds of potential misdemeanor offenses, some of the most commonly charged cases include:
- Vehicular infractions (e.g., speeding, some first-offense DUI cases)
- Possession of some controlled substances in small quantities
- Crimes against property (e.g., petty theft, vandalism)
The Fuller County Court of Common Pleas usually handles misdemeanor cases. It's also important to realize that you can be initially charged with a misdemeanor that is later reclassified as a felony. This can happen when the prosecutor believes there are aggravating circumstances in your case, such as a crime committed in furtherance of gang activity or the fact that you have prior convictions for related (or other) offenses.
Felony Offenses in Pennsylvania
Felony charges are reserved for the most serious violations of Pennsylvania law. Felony charges are applied when the prosecutor or arresting officer alleges that the offense caused significant damage to life and/or property or that you acted recklessly or intentionally while committing the crime. Felony cases in Fuller County are also heard in the Court of Common Pleas following the preliminary hearing and arraignment.
Pennsylvania groups felony offenses into three different degrees. Third-degree felonies are the least serious, whereas first-degree felonies are considered the gravest offenses. With that said, every felony is a serious crime, and even a third-degree felony conviction carries a minimum seven-year prison term. First-degree felony convictions carry 20-year prison terms. The sentencing judge in felony cases can also impose fines ranging from $2,500 to $25,000.
Examples of crimes that can be charged as felonies include:
- High-level drug offenses (e.g., possession of certain drugs, manufacture or possession of drugs with the intent to distribute)
- Vehicular crimes (e.g., DUI cases in connection with an accident-causing injury or death, multiple-offender DUI cases)
- Violent crimes (e.g., aggravated assault, murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon)
The punishment for felony convictions doesn't end with your release from prison. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to maintain any professional license as a convicted felon, and you may have trouble finding employment of any kind. Your Second Amendment right to bear firearms is also stripped with a felony conviction. The LLF LAW Firm Criminal Defense Team has experience fighting and winning felony cases of all kinds throughout Pennsylvania.
Sentencing Enhancements and Aggravating Factors in Felony Cases
The standard sentences in felony convictions can be increased if the prosecution proves there were aggravating circumstances in play. Examples of aggravating circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The use of a firearm or deadly weapon in the commission of the crime
- Crimes committed to further the interests of a street gang or criminal organization
- Cases where you have prior felony convictions
The Importance of Quality Representation at Pre-Trial Hearings and Arraignments
Your case will not immediately proceed to trial after your arrest. Before that happens, you will have pre-trial hearings where the judge will determine whether probable cause exists to proceed to trial. This is also where we will have our first opportunity to fight for you. In some cases, we can point out enough weaknesses or inconsistencies in the case against you to convince the judge to dismiss the charges entirely.
Even if that's not possible, our Criminal Defense Team can argue for the most favorable pre-trial conditions possible, such as release for the lowest bail amount possible. Being able to remain free before the trial will cause minimal disruption to your normal life and allow you to remain gainfully employed. That's why we advise contacting our Criminal Defense Team immediately after your arrest and before answering any questions from police or prosecutors.
Criminal Trial Phase
If the judge at your pre-trial and arraignment hearing determines there is probable cause to take the case forward, it will move to the trial stage. This is your opportunity to face your accusers, challenge their evidence, and put forth evidence in your favor. It's the phase of the criminal justice process where we can influence the most. We take a thorough, systematic approach to trial preparation.
Our Criminal Defense Team carefully analyzes every aspect of the state's evidence against you. That includes thoroughly examining their witnesses, police procedure, and any forensic evidence the prosecution presents against you. If we can isolate mistakes or inconsistencies anywhere in the prosecution's case, it may create reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury.
Our team also handles the pre-trial paperwork and hearings so that you don't have to. We will do everything we can to secure an acquittal. We may also be able to raise enough doubt about the case to motivate the prosecutor to accept an agreement with reduced charges. We will fight for the best outcome in your case for the duration of our relationship.
The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team
Getting arrested and convicted in Fulton County can impact your life for decades after the trial. Regardless of the circumstances, you owe it to yourself to exercise your right to a fair trial and a quality legal defense. More importantly, you deserve an attorney with the skill to win at trial and a track record of success. Call the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or reach out to us online.
