Preliminary Hearing

Fighting for you at the PA preliminary hearing.

Have you been served with a summons to appear for a preliminary hearing in Pennsylvania .  When you are facing a preliminary hearing in Pennsyvlania, speak to our experienced criminal defense lawyers.   Panic sets in when you finally get that notice that prosecution has begun against you and time is running out to make the right choices.   That first decision is to find the right criminal defense attorney.  It is only natural you are looking for the best options; the best strategies and the best outcome.  

You want immediate resolution.  Do not try to fix things on your own.   You need a criminal defense attorney who is aggressive in protecting your rights at the preliminary hearing in  PA.   Expect a hard working, experienced and passionate team of criminal defense lawyers from Ciccarelli Law Offices, ready to fight for you and your family throughout Pennsylvania.

The Preliminary hearing process in Pennsylvania

Learn about the preliminary hearing process:  soon after you have had a preliminary arraignment or have been arraigned, an initial hearing or “preliminary hearing” is scheduled before a Pennsyvlania Magisterial District Judge to determine if the District Attorney’s office has enough evidence for the case to go to trial at the Court of Common Pleas. 

The purpose of a preliminary hearing is not determine if you are guilty or not guilty but where there is a “prima facie” of evidence to proceed.  This usually means that the prosecutor must produce witnesses and evidence to show a “reasonable jury” that you committed the offense.  

 Contact us immediately  toll-free at 888-643-0006.

This is a “probable cause” decision and is based only on the prosecutor’s evidence and not the defense.  As your defense attorneys we have the right to contest testimony and interrogate and cross-examine any witnesses that our presented by the District Attorney’s office as well as argue and advocated for you for a dismissal of the charges for lack of evidence. 

Often the Magisterial District Judge will not allow discussion regarding the legality of the evidence or consider suppressing the evidence or even question the honesty of the prosecutor’s witnesses.  The preliminary hearing judge will often explain that it is not his role to judge the honesty of the witnesses but only to determine if the prosecutor has enough evidence to prosecute the case at trial.

A preliminary hearing in Pennsylvania often provides the opportunity for us to get the charges dismissed, withdrawn or reduced by negotiation and dealing between your criminal defense lawyer and the District Attorney’s office.  Contact us now at (877) 529-2422 to learn more. 

Admit Nothing Until You Talk to Us

Whenever you or facing a preliminary hearing in Pennsylvania for a summary, misdemeanor or felony criminal offense,  contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately.   Make no mistake about it.  Speaking to a District Attorney or the police officer  is not a cooperative process; it is adversarial in nature.   Do not even think about trying to plea with the Magisterial District Judge or his staff because it is improper and may be viewed as an illegal attempt to  manipulate the court system.    Speak to one of our experienced  lawyers serving Pennsylvania.   With the insight of a former prosecutor now serving as a criminal defense attorney, we can give you the insight you need and speak to the prosecution on your behalf.

Contact Us

You also need PA criminal lawyers both passionate in what they do and compassionate in their treatment of their clients. You deserve a Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer that is available when you need him, treats you with respect, and protects your rights vigorously. We make your choice all the clearer with locations throughout the metropolitan Philadelphia Pennsylvania, including Center City Philadelphia, West Chester PA, Downingtown/Exton PA, Kennett Square PA, Lancaster PA, King of Prussia PA, Plymouth Meeting PA, Radnor and Springfield PA. 

We serve Downingtown, Paoli, Media, Norristown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Reading and Allentown.  For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer, contact us at (888) 643-0006.