Criminal Defense

200216318-001Criminal Defense in Pennsylvania

“[T]he Constitution guarantees criminal defendants’ a meaningful opportunity to present a complete defense.'” 

The Constitution was founded in Philadelphia PA and as Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyers we are bound to uphold it and fight for your rights was you are faced with a criminal, dui, traffic or juvenile matter throughout the state of Pennsylvania.   In a Pennsylvania criminal prosecution, a defendant may raise a defense in an attempt to avoid criminal liability. A defendant is any party, whether minor or adult, who is accused of committing a crime, violating a statute, ordinance or codified moral or law; a citation or infraction. In the case of a juvenile, the minor faces an adjudication of juvenile delinquency under Pennsylvania law. Rely on the experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense team of Ciccarelli Law Offices.

A defendant in a PA criminal case (particularly a felony or indictment) is usually obliged to post bail before being released from custody and must be present at every stage thereafter of the proceedings against him or her (they often may have their lawyer appear instead, especially for very minor cases, such as traffic offences in jurisdictions which treat them as crimes).

In the case of a Pennsylvania misdemeanor or felony criminal charge, the Commonwealth has the option of serving a defendant by summons in the mail or by the issuing a warrant for their arrest. After the preliminary arraignment, a preliminary hearing is held before a District Magistrate Judge, where bail is set and a determination is made whether the District Attorney has established a prima facie of evidence (enough evidence for the Magistrate to believe that more like than not a crime was committed by the defendant).

Where a prima facie of evidence is established, the matter is held over for transfer to the Court of Common Please for Arraignment, the defense has a right to the prosecution’s discovery and the matter is scheduled for trial. If found guilty, or if the defendant reaches a plea bargain or other settlement with the prosecution, the defendant receives a sentence from the presiding judge.

This sentence, however, does not necessarily include the full punishment: social stigma of prosecution and collateral consequences of criminal charges may still affect the defendant. Pennsylvania criminal law allows for a variety of punishment, depending on the seriousness of the offense and the Pennsylvania Sentencing Guidelines. Typically, a conviction of any Pennsylvania summary, misdemeanor or felony offense allows for a variety of punishment including potential period of incarceration, probation, fine, costs, restitution, license suspension, negative publicity and permanent criminal record.

Where you are facing an arrest, a summons to appear in court, traffic or non traffic citation, summary offense or you are the parents of a juvenile facing a referral to the local Juvenile Court, contact experienced Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyers. Learn more Ciccarelli Lawyers.

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, please contact us.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer, please contact us. Call us toll-free at 888-643-0006.