Being arrested and charged with a crime in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, is an unpleasant and stressful experience. Regardless of the charges, a criminal conviction could have negative long and short-term consequences. They include losing your freedom, paying hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines, and having a criminal record. That's why it's absolutely critical to assert your constitutional rights by hiring a dedicated, experienced attorney to fight for you.
Have you been arrested on criminal charges in Wyoming County? The Wyoming County criminal justice system can be harsh, and prosecutors are not afraid to seek maximum punishment under the law. Never forget that you have a constitutional right to the presumption of innocence and to be represented by counsel. The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team offers quality, tough-minded legal representation against all charges. Call us at 888.535.3686 or contact us online.
Criminal Offense Classifications in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Criminal Code groups criminal offenses into three different classifications. They are:
- Summary Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Felonies
The lowest offense classification in terms of severity is a summary offense, which is also sometimes referred to as a “non-traffic offense.” These cases can usually be handled in preliminary hearings by a magistrate. However, you should not take summary offenses lightly. They may not always result in harsh punishments, but judges can incarcerate you for up to 90 days and apply fines for summary offense convictions.
Misdemeanor Offenses
Misdemeanors are the middle grade in Pennsylvania's criminal offense classification. Many people mistakenly think that misdemeanor offenses are “no big deal,” but this is incorrect. Being convicted of a misdemeanor in Wyoming County can carry a prison sentence from one to five years and fines up to $10,000. They also become part of your criminal record, and the penalties can progress in severity for each subsequent conviction.
Some of the most common misdemeanor criminal cases heard in Wyoming County include:
- Possession of small amounts of certain controlled substances
- Property crimes (e.g., petty theft, destruction of private property)
- Moving violations (e.g., speeding, illegal turns, DUI)
These cases are usually handled in the Court of Common Pleas following your post-arrest preliminary hearing(s). Misdemeanor convictions can become the first step on the road to having a lengthy criminal history. For example, a first-time DUI conviction can be charged as a misdemeanor (depending on the circumstances), but a second DUI arrest can be charged as a third-degree felony. This is why you should still have quality legal representation in misdemeanor cases.
Felony Offenses
Felony charges are the most serious offenses for which you can be punished in Wyoming County. These are generally serious crimes that result in significant damage or risk to life and/or property. Felony cases are heard in the Wyoming County Court of Common Pleas following the post-arrest preliminary hearing(s). Felony offenses are broken down into three different degrees.
Some examples of felony cases frequently tried in Wyoming County include:
- Violent crimes (e.g., murder, assault with a deadly weapon, sexual assault)
- Major moving violations (e.g., Repeat-offender DUI cases, reckless driving cases that resulted in death or serious injury)
- Drug-related offenses (e.g., possession with intent to distribute, manufacturing drugs, conspiracy to distribute narcotics)
Third-degree felonies are at the lowest end of the scale, while first-degree felonies are the highest. Regardless of the degree, any felony conviction in Wyoming County will carry a significant prison term and a large fine. The punishment for felony convictions ranges from seven years (third-degree) to 20 years (first-degree), and fines range from $15,000 to $25,000.
It's also important to remember that certain aggravating factors can result in sentencing enhancements. These sentencing enhancements can mean extra prison time or larger fines. For example, using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony or committing a felony in connection with gang activity could qualify you for a sentence enhancement. Even if there are no enhancements in a felony case, they have lifelong consequences.
Felony convictions could prevent you from holding numerous professional licenses or securing housing after your release. You will also be barred from legally possessing firearms, and your child custody rights could be at risk. These are just a few of the many reasons you want to avoid a felony conviction at all costs. The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team has a track record of successfully defending clients facing felony charges in Wyoming County.
Pre-Trial and Post-Arrest Proceedings
Several key steps take place in the criminal justice process after your arrest. The first of those steps is your pre-trial or preliminary hearing. At this hearing, a District Judge will:
- Hear the charges against you
- Determine whether you qualify for bail and, if so, what amount your bail will be
- Dictate any other conditions necessary for pre-trial release (e.g., no alcohol, house arrest, curfew)
This hearing will be the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team's first opportunity to secure your release or perhaps get your case dismissed. In your preliminary hearing, the judge also determines whether there is sufficient evidence against you to move your case to the trial phase. We will advocate for the least restrictive pre-trial release terms (e.g., low bail, no house arrest).
Depending on the circumstances of your arrest and what evidence the prosecution presents, we may also be able to persuade the judge to dismiss your case due to lack of evidence. The sooner you contact us after your arrest, the sooner we can begin analyzing your case and figuring out how to mount the most effective defense possible. You deserve skillful, determined criminal defense when your freedom and reputation are on the line in felony cases.
Criminal Trials in Wyoming County
The trial is the most important element of any criminal court case. Here, the state will present its evidence, and our team will challenge it. We will also have the opportunity to plan and present a formal defense against the charges. Our Criminal Defense Team takes a comprehensive approach to preparing for criminal trials. We carefully analyze the case against you for weak points and conduct an exhaustive search for evidence in your favor.
Our goal with this process is twofold. First, we want to establish reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury. The more effectively we refute the evidence against you, the better our chances of getting an acquittal. Second, the stronger our defense is, the more likely it becomes that the prosecutor may seek an arrangement where they negotiate reduced charges in your case.
With that said, we're not going to advise you to accept any arrangement that we don't believe is in your best interests. Our primary objective in every trial is an acquittal. However, we will explore all options that allow for your case to be adjudicated with the least possible disruption and upheaval in your life. The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team will never stop fighting for you.
Post-Conviction Alternatives
Securing an acquittal or negotiated plea is not possible in every criminal case. However, we fight every case and contest all the evidence against you to the best of our ability. This approach could create opportunities for appeal after your trial. Sometimes, we uncover procedural or other legal errors that give us grounds to continue fighting your case in appeals court. Our commitment to our clients never ends.
When to Call the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team
You may feel like your world has just come to an end after being arrested in Wyoming County. It hasn't. An arrest doesn't have to lead to a conviction. You have the right to fight your case, and your choice of attorney can positively impact the outcome. The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team is here for you, no matter what the charges. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or reach out to us online.
