If you're facing any level of criminal charges, you're facing an unwelcome change to your life if found guilty. Even a minor conviction can have a significant impact on your life.
The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team works with clients in Montour County and throughout Pennsylvania to defend against criminal charges. We help our clients understand their options and build evidence-backed cases. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.
Levels of Criminal Offenses
In Pennsylvania, criminal charges fall under one of three categories depending on the severity of the alleged crime. The three levels of criminal charges are:
- Summary offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Felonies
Someone charged with one offense may be convicted of a lesser offense. For example, assault can result in felony or misdemeanor charges depending on the circumstances of the incident, including the person assaulted.
If a defendant is found guilty or accepts a plea bargain, the severity of the conviction determines the sentencing guidelines. In general, the more severe a conviction is, the more serious the penalties are.
Summary Offenses
Of the three criminal charges, summary offenses are the least serious. For a summary offense conviction, the maximum sentence is imprisonment of up to ninety days, although most people won't see jail time but may be required to pay a fine. Whether a summary office conviction appears on criminal background checks depends on the crime.
Examples of summary offenses include traffic and non-traffic offenses, violations of local ordinances, and truancy violations. It also covers other minor violations of the law, such as sales tax and liquor code offenses.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors, more serious than summary offenses and less serious than felonies, cover a wide range of criminal activity. Within the overall category of misdemeanors, Pennsylvania has three degrees:
- Misdemeanor of the first degree, the most serious
- Misdemeanors of the second degree
- Misdemeanors of the third degree, the least serious
Each degree has separate sentencing guidelines. If convicted of a misdemeanor, individuals may face penalties such as prison time, probation, or fines.
Felonies
Felonies involve the most serious crimes. Just like with misdemeanors, felonies have three degrees of severity, and each degree has specific sentencing guidelines.
In Pennsylvania, the most serious of crimes is murder of the first or second degree. Convicted individuals may be sentenced to either life imprisonment or a death sentence.
Criminal Courts in Montour County
When someone is charged with a crime in Montour County, they will go before the Court of Common Pleas or a Magisterial District Court. Some defendants may go in front of both courts depending on the procedures for their case.
Defendants must be at all court appearances. If you have questions about the location, the time, the date – in short, anything that may affect your ability to be at court – you should reach out to the court and check that you have the correct information. Failing to appear or arriving later can create additional problems for defendants. Your attorney should make sure that you have this information and are otherwise prepared for court.
Criminal charges and trials generally occur in the county where the crime occurred, even if the defendant or other people involved live in other Pennsylvania counties or even out of state. When an alleged crime happens in Montour County, criminal charges will generally be filed in Montour County.
Where a crime is tried can become complicated if it occurs in multiple counties or states. If a crime occurs in multiple counties in Pennsylvania, it may be less clear where charges will be filed. When a crime occurs in multiple states, it automatically falls under federal law and federal courts.
If you have questions or concerns about your trial occurring in Montour County, the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team can help you determine if you have any options for a change of venue.
Magisterial District Courts
The Pennsylvania court system has five levels, the highest of which is the state's Supreme Court. Most court cases in Pennsylvania begin with minor courts, such as the Magisterial District Courts. They oversee both criminal and civil matters. These courts handle both criminal and civil matters. For criminal cases, the magisterial district court's responsibilities include:
- Being the Court of Initial Jurisdiction for all criminal matters
- Setting and accepting bail
- Issuing
- Arrest warrants and summonses
- Search warrants
- Subpoenas
- Emergency protection from abuse (PFA) orders
- Conducting
- Preliminary arraignments, with or without a warrant, for everyone arrested
- Preliminary hearings
- Trials on all summary cases
- Arraigning anyone who violates PFAs or similar orders
These courts generally handle initial hearings as well as the entirety of cases involving summary offenses and some misdemeanor cases.
That a crime is "minor" doesn't lessen the impact it can have on your life. The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team assists with all levels of criminal charges.
Magisterial Districts Located in Montour County
Montour County is part of the 26th Judicial District and has a single Magisterial District Court for the entire county.
The office for Magisterial District 26-3-04 is located at:
Montour County Courthouse
253 Mill Street
Danville, PA 17821
Its phone number is (570) 271-3008.
Montour County Court of Common Pleas
Montour County falls within the within the 26th Judicial District.
The Montour County Court of Common Pleas is located at:
Montour County Courthouse
253 Mill Street
Danville, PA 17821
Its phone number is (570) 271-3010.
After initial hearings at the Magisterial District Court, the Court of Common Pleas handles all felony cases and some misdemeanor cases.
Montour County Criminal Procedures
In criminal cases, Pennsylvania requires that prosecutors must prove someone is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Cases may be resolved through being found guilty, being acquitted, accepting a plea deal, or entering a diversionary program.
The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team views our role as helping our clients understand the process and advising them on what steps to take and the pros and cons of different options. Criminal charges can have serious implications on people's lives, and we help our clients have the knowledge necessary to make the decisions that best fit their circumstances.
Every criminal case is different, but 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
Criminal charges may be dismissed at any time. Depending on the case, a defendant can generally agree to enter into a plea deal at any point before a verdict.
Going to court and accepting a plea deal both have pros and cons. Plea deals often allow a defendant to agree to a lesser charge and have more into their sentencing. On the downside, they generally require admitting to some level of guilt and bar defendants from appealing.
When a case goes to trial, a defendant has their day in court. They may be acquitted and have the right to appeal. If found guilty, defendants have little say in sentencing.
Montour County Attorneys
If you're facing criminal charges, Pennsylvania's criminal laws and court system may seem confusing and complicated. You know that the decisions you make can affect not only the outcome of the criminal charges but your entire life, and deciding on the right path can be difficult.
The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team breaks the process down for our clients to give them the information they need to take control of their lives. We help our clients with all levels of charges. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.
