If you are facing criminal charges for anything in Cheltenham Township Pennsylvania, you have good reason to be concerned. There is a saying that goes around the prisons of Pennsylvania, “Come to Pennsylvania on vacation, and leave on probation.” Everything is a crime in Pennsylvania and is punished severely by the Draconian sentencing scheme. Although the U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down some aspects of the mandatory minimum sentencing scheme, the penalties are still extremely harsh.
What is really concerning is the quality of representation. People see the major class distinction discrepancies between represented and unrepresented defendants. Because Pennsylvania has a lot of prisons to fill, they will hand out outrageous sentences for petty conduct that a good Cheltenham Township lawyer can have dismissed before trial. The laws in Pennsylvania are very tricky. And defendants are never taken seriously unless they are represented by a licensed attorney who is highly regarded in the field.
DUI and Traffic Tickets
Even drunk driving can land you in prison for five years on the first offense. In addition, you can be hit with license suspensions, fines, and other deleterious punishments. Traffic tickets are also taken seriously. If you fail to pay the fines in time, a bench warrant can be issued. You can also be held in contempt of court if you fail to attend any proceedings. Pennsylvania has one of the most bloated bureaucracies in the world to criminalize and warehouse citizens for any meager conduct.
And the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is just 0.08 percent. If you drink a beer and try to drive, you can find yourself behind bars for a few years and paying ten thousand dollars in fines. In fact, you don’t even have to operate the vehicle. If an officer sees you sitting in a parked vehicle with the keys in the ignition, this is probable cause to believe that you were going to drive drunk.
The justice system in Pennsylvania is like stepping into another world. You will be helpless and paying a lifelong penalty if you fail to obtain effective representation. Choosing the right Cheltenham Township attorney who has enough skill in your type of case is critical for obtaining the best outcome. There are so many nuances of the law that must be considered in any Pennsylvania criminal case.
Felony and Misdemeanor Charges
In Pennsylvania, misdemeanor conduct is equated with the felonious sentences in other states. This is partly because Pennsylvania uses prisons to stimulate the economy in desolate coal town communities. This economic incentive and a history of strict laws has made the Quaker state the home of many nefarious criminals.
You don’t want to wind up in a Pennsylvania jail or prison. Many of the prisoners are mentally ill and homicidal serial killers. This may be a progression after doing serious time in Pennsylvania early on in life. If you want to avoid the serious consequences, you have to find an attorney who can think up a winning strategy.
The lowest grade misdemeanors can result in imprisonment for five years. Felony 1 charges can lead to sentences that are 10 to 20 years or more. And because Pennsylvania is a commonwealth state, the justice system is standardized across the state. You may find poorer municipalities in other states less gung-ho about taking petty cases to trial and wasting money. Pennsylvania spends more than a billion dollars annually to lock up prisoners and could care less if you are innocent or guilty.
Only an experienced Cheltenham Township attorney knows how to deal with the realities of the Pennsylvania justice system to present the strongest defenses for your case. One of the major problems is that the laws in Pennsylvania are so difficult to comprehend. There are so many intricacies that even the judges have trouble keeping up. When you try to represent yourself or rely on a court-appointed attorney with thousands of cases, you are virtually at the mercy of judicial whimsy.
In life, mistakes and adverse actions have consequences. This is especially true if you are charged with a crime in. You must hire a criminal defense lawyer to represent you in a court of law.
Reasons to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Although there are several reasons you should hire a criminal defense lawyer, the most compelling reason is to avoid jail time. Defendants who are convicted of serious felonies may be sentenced to a lengthy jail sentence.
Another reason to hire a criminal defense lawyer at Amato Sanita Law Office is to keep your criminal record in good standing. Whether you have a misdemeanor or felony on your criminal record, any conviction can make it difficult for you to get a job, go to college or vote.
Hiring a criminal defense attorney makes sense. When it comes to the court system, there are no guarantees that you will experience a favorable outcome. Having a criminal defense attorney on your side may improve your chances of achieving a favorable outcome.
Common Criminal Charges
It is the duty of the police officers and prosecutors to protect citizens by enforcing the laws. If you are suspected of committing a crime, the judicial system will hold you accountable for your actions.
There are dozens of criminal laws on the books. As you know, misdemeanor and criminal charges can adversely affect your criminal record, chances of employment, financial status and driver’s license. Here is a list of common criminal charges that our lawyers at Amato Sanita Law Office defend.
1. A person who intentionally sets property on fire can be charged with arson. Not only does arson destroy valuable property, it can injure or kill other people.
2. Racing another car on the road is categorized as drag racing. You may not know this but you can be charged with drag racing if you watch other cars race or attempt to set a speed record in your car.
3. When an officer signals you to stop or pull over, you must obey those signals. If not, you could be charged with eluding or fleeing a police officer.
4. It is never a good idea to drive with alcohol or drugs in your system. Once you are caught operating a vehicle under the influence, you could be charged with DUI.
5. If you have been involved in a car accident, it is illegal for you to leave the scene. By law, you must remain at the scene until a police officer arrives. You must provide the other driver(s) with your name, insurance information and a valid address. If you leave, you could be charged with leaving the scene of an accident.
Other categories of criminal charges include murder (first degree, second degree and third degree), sexual assault, involuntary manslaughter, antitrust violations, armed robbery, bribery, conspiracy, computer crimes, fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft and possessing child pornography.
Regardless of the charges, our criminal defense attorneys are committed to defending your rights in a court of law. We believe that all clients should have the right to defend themselves.
Why Trust the Amato Sanita Criminal Defense Team
Selecting a criminal defense attorney is about trust. At Amato Sanita Law Office, our criminal defense attorneys are trusted legal advocates who will work diligently to defend you against the charges.
If you or a loved one requires the services of a skilled attorney, contact our law office. One of our attorneys would be happy to sit down with you and discuss your options.
For your convenience, our Amato Sanita Law Offices are located in Norristown, Philadelphia and Feasterville. Call one of our Chester criminal defense law offices to schedule your no-obligation consultation today.