Whitehall, Pennsylvania, is a borough in Allegheny County, less than 20 minutes south of Pittsburgh. If you’ve been arrested and charged with a sex crime here in Whitehall, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed and scared. Sex crime charges are not like any other type of criminal charge. They can destroy your reputation and make it difficult to find a job or even rent a place to live.
A Whitehall criminal defense lawyer can help you fight these charges or arrange a plea deal that will reduce the penalties against you and enable you to get back to your life. Depending on the circumstances of your case, there are many different strategies a skilled defense lawyer could pursue. The first step is to sit down with an experienced sex crimes lawyer and explain all the facts about your case.
SMT Legal is a criminal defense firm serving Whitehall, Pennsylvania. We have extensive experience defending sex crime charges and know which strategies are most effective. Don’t leave your future in the hands of prosecutors. Contact SMT Legal immediately.
The National Institute of Justice defines “sex-related offenses” as any crimes with a sexual component and notes that sex crimes can involve physical harm, threats of physical harm, or mental and emotional harm. Even if no physical harm was involved, a sexual act could still be a crime if the victim was legally unable to consent due to age, intoxication, or some other factor.
Victims commonly suffer mental and emotional harm when subjected to sexual acts without their consent, even if they were not physically attacked or threatened. That’s one reason society condemns sex crimes so fiercely.
Sex crimes in Pennsylvania include:
Rape
Statutory sexual assault
Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse
Sexual assault
Institutional sexual assault
Aggravated indecent assault
Indecent assault
Incest
Promoting the prostitution of a minor
Obscene materials and performances
Trafficking
Involuntary servitude
Patronizing a victim of sexual servitude
Corruption of minors
Sexual abuse of children
Dissemination of child pornography
Possession of child pornography
Unlawful contact with a minor
Sexual exploitation of children
Invasion of privacy
If you are convicted of any of these crimes, the penalties are severe, and the social condemnation you will face is likely to be intense. To protect your future and your place in the community, it’s vital for you to defend yourself as effectively as possible against these charges.
If you did not commit the crime, or if there are extenuating circumstances that would affect the public judgment of the case, a skilled sex crimes defense attorney can help you present your side of the story.
There are many different sex crimes under Pennsylvania law, and penalties vary widely depending on the circumstances. Penalties for sex crimes in Pennsylvania include:
Up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000 for rape
Up to 40 years in prison for rape of a child under 13
Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison for the rape of a child under 16
Up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000 for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse
Up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000 for sexual assault
Up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000 for aggravated indecent assault
Conviction on a sex crime charge has the potential to take decades of your life away, followed by the stigma and other difficulties of registration as a sex offender.
Convicted sex offenders in Pennsylvania must register their location and other personal information with the Pennsylvania Sex Offender Registry. This registry lets the public know when a sex offender is living in the neighborhood. How long you must remain registered depends on the type of sex crime you are convicted of. For example:
Tier I sexual offenses require an offender to register for 15 years.
Tier II sexual offenses require an offender to register for 25 years
Tier III sexual offenses require lifetime registration
Whether a sexual offense falls under Tier I, II, or III depends on the details of the crime. For instance, an indecent assault conviction can be either Tier 1, Tier !!, or Tier III, depending on aggravating factors such as age, unconsciousness, or intoxication.
What is the best defense strategy in a sex crimes case? That depends on the facts of the case.
When you meet with us to talk about your charges, we’ll base our defense strategy on the details you give us. Some options include:
A mistaken identity defense, where we argue that the victim of a sex crime has mistaken you for their attacker.
Proving that you were somewhere else at the time of the offense and could not have committed the crime.
Arguing that any sexual contact was consensual.
Arguing that the police abused their authority and any search of your property was not legal.
Arguing that evidence was handled improperly and should not be admissible in court.
Arguing that police officers entrapped you into committing an offense you would not otherwise have committed.
Arguing that the accusations against you are false.
Admitting the offense but letting the court know about extenuating circumstances in your case.
A mistake of age defense, when you reasonably but incorrectly believed a child above 14 years old to be an adult. This defense is not available in most states but can be used in Pennsylvania in some cases.
Mounting a strong defense not only increases your chances of an acquittal or a dismissal of all charges but also improves your negotiating position with prosecutors. If prosecutors believe you have a strong defense, they are more likely to offer you reduced charges or reduced penalties in exchange for a guilty plea. In some cases, this may be your best option to avoid more significant penalties.
Being charged with a sex crime would be frightening and upsetting for anyone, but that does not mean that a conviction is inevitable.
If you’ve been charged with a sex crime in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, don’t delay. A vigorous defense is your best chance of avoiding severe penalties and irreversible damage to your reputation.
SMT Legal is a criminal defense firm serving Whitehall, Pennsylvania. We handle most types of criminal charges, including sex crimes of all kinds. Tell us about the charges you are facing. We will craft the most effective defense based on the specific circumstances of your case. For sex crime charges in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, or anywhere in the Pittsburgh area, contact SMT Legal today.
Our office is located at 114 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh. You can reach our office by using the following directions.
Take I-279 S toward Pittsburgh. Take Exit 2A for Fort Duquesne Blvd. Merge onto Fort Duquesne Blvd, then turn right onto Sixth Ave. Continue onto Smithfield Street. The destination will be on your right.
Take I-79 N and merge onto I-376 E toward Pittsburgh. Take Exit 71A for Grant St. Merge onto Grant St, then turn left onto Sixth Ave. Turn right onto Smithfield Street. The destination will be on your right.
Take I-376 W toward Pittsburgh. Take Exit 71A for Grant St. Merge onto Grant St, then turn left onto Sixth Ave. Turn right onto Smithfield Street. The destination will be on your right.
Take I-376 E toward Pittsburgh. Take Exit 69C for Stanwix St. Merge onto Fort Pitt Blvd, then turn left onto Stanwix St. Turn right onto Fourth Ave, then turn left onto Smithfield Street. The destination will be on your left.
When abuse occurs within a trusted group or setting, such as a school, church, medical facility, or youth organization, the resulting harm often extends beyond the actions of any individual
One key element of a motorcycle accident claim is identifying how the crash happened and who caused it. Otherwise, you can’t connect your injuries to the responsible party’s careless actions,
When lawyers talk about “damages” in a car accident claim, they’re referring to the compensation you can receive for your losses from the crash. Many injured drivers accept less than
Pennsylvania law allows families to file wrongful death claims when their loved ones die as a result of other parties’ negligence or misconduct. These claims aim to recover compensation for
Most states use either fault-based or no-fault insurance systems for car accident cases. But Pennsylvania has a unique “choice” no-fault system. In this system, your medical benefits coverage will cover
Did you recently lose someone close to you in a preventable accident? If so, you might have heard terms like “negligence” or “wrongful death” and felt unsure about what they
Using Uber or Lyft in Pittsburgh has become a regular part of life. Whether you’re heading to work, meeting friends in Lawrenceville, or trying to avoid downtown parking, these rideshare
When a motor vehicle accident involves two vehicles, figuring out who caused what can feel like a puzzle with missing pieces. However, if you’ve been hurt in a multi-car crash
Starting June 5, 2025, it is illegal to hold your phone while driving in Pennsylvania. Under the new Senate Bill 37, also known as Paul Miller’s Law, you must use
If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Pennsylvania, a recent court decision could have a big impact on what happens next. On May 30, 2025, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Pools can be a great way to cool off during hot Pittsburgh summers, but they also pose serious risks, especially for children. Drowning is one of the leading causes of
Slip and fall accidents are surprisingly common in stores, sidewalks, and offices. In Pennsylvania, property owners must keep their spaces reasonably safe. If they don’t and someone gets hurt, the
Dog owners in Pennsylvania are responsible for the victim’s medical expenses if their dog bites someone. If you or someone you love suffered injuries in an animal attack, a dog
Fires, natural disasters, and other incidents can cause commercial property loss, leading to significant expenses. Fortunately, many businesses are covered by commercial property insurance. However, getting a fair settlement from
Property owners in Pennsylvania bear a significant responsibility to maintain safe environments for visitors. When someone gets hurt due to unsafe conditions on another person’s property, the law provides pathways
Pennsylvania treats driving under the influence (DUI) offenses with increasing severity based on two key factors: your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level and your prior offense history. Understanding these penalties
Defective products can cause devastating injuries that can alter your life forever. When a product fails due to poor design, manufacturing errors, or inadequate warnings, Pennsylvania law provides strong protections
Pennsylvania has strict drug possession laws. Whether it’s a small amount of marijuana or a controlled substance like heroin or prescription opioids, the consequences can range from fines and probation
Comparative fault allows courts to assign blame to multiple parties in a personal injury case. If someone suffers an injury, they might share some responsibility for what happened. Instead of
Five attorneys at SMT Legal won Super Lawyers or Rising Star honors for 2025 in the areas of personal injury law and criminal defense. Attorneys Jonathan Stewart, Patrick Murray, and Christopher
Distracted driving is so dangerous that Pennsylvania has recently banned using interactive mobile devices (IMDs) while driving. However, distractions come in many forms. Whether talking or texting on the phone,
We place significant trust in our medical doctors. When a healthcare provider makes a mistake, however, it can seriously harm the patient. In Pennsylvania, patients harmed by a provider’s negligence
Before considering a lawsuit against your insurance company, it’s essential to review and understand your policy. This document outlines your rights and your insurer’s obligations. Familiarize yourself with the coverage
How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Challenge Evidence in Pennsylvania? Evidence can support or weaken the prosecution’s case in a criminal trial. Prosecutors might use physical evidence, witness testimony, or
Pennsylvania’s DUI laws impose strict penalties based on a driver’s prior offenses and the circumstances of the arrest. Second-time DUIs result in higher fines, longer jail time, and extended license
In Pennsylvania, wrongful death settlements aim to provide financial support for families who have lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence or misconduct. Calculating these settlements involves considering
Following an accident, it’s common to consider the potential financial recovery you can achieve by filing a personal injury claim against the party at fault for your injuries. Although there
When someone loses their life because of another person’s carelessness or wrongdoing, the surviving family members might be able to file a wrongful death claim. It is essential to understand
The necessity defense is an argument a defendant and their defense lawyer might invoke if they acted to prevent a greater harm. This defense strategy acknowledges that, while the person
Driving under the influence (DUI) is serious, but certain factors in Pennsylvania can lead to even more severe penalties. Knowing what can elevate a DUI charge is essential for understanding
If you have been charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) for the first time in Pennsylvania, one of your biggest concerns is probably whether you’ll lose your driver’s license.
A felony can significantly impact your life. From a lengthy prison sentence to losing the ability to vote or carry a gun, a felony carries many consequences. Your ability to
With school shootings committed by students becoming an all-too-common occurrence in the U.S., recent incidents have highlighted the potential for parental liability for the injuries and deaths caused by their
After suffering injuries in an accident, you may be facing unexpected bills and other expenses related to your injuries. You may wonder how you will cover these costs if you
If a police officer stops you on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in Pennsylvania, you may be arrested if they have probable cause you were intoxicated. A DUI
It’s common to hear talk of suing to recover personal injury compensation after an accident. In reality, most cases close through negotiation and settlement rather than through a court verdict.
Someone else’s choices led to your injuries, but you are not without power in this situation. As the victim of an injury accident, you choose how to respond to your
Jonathan Stewart at SMT Legal has successfully secured a $2,000,000 settlement for the family of a road worker tragically killed by a tractor-trailer.
Public Drunkenness and Travel Sports Team Parents If you’re a travel sports parent, you’re well aware of how hectic an out-of-town sporting event can be. After all the chaos of
No two Pennsylvania criminal cases are alike, and neither are the ways such cases are defended. Defense attorneys have quite a bit of latitude when it comes to defending their
A yellow light is an indicator of a change in traffic flow. Intersection accidents are common in Pittsburgh. However, running a yellow light does not always indicate actions of negligence.
Employees spend many waking hours providing a service for a business or industry, expecting that their safety is an employer’s priority. However, far too many workers are at risk of
Gun laws may arguably be among the most important for keeping members of our community safe. Many of us know that gun laws can vary from state to state. Of
In the last ten years, the Pennsylvania General Assembly has made several changes to the car seat laws in the Commonwealth, bringing the requirements more in line with the recommendations
If you’re filing a personal injury lawsuit, it’s typically because you have suffered an injury and believe it to be due to someone else’s negligence. However, this would suggest we
Whether for commuting to work, exploring scenic trails, or simply enjoying the outdoors, riding a bicycle offers a sense of freedom and mobility. Just like driving a car, cycling comes
Being hurt in a work-related injury means you could lose income while you recover. However, Pennsylvania allows various ways for employees to seek benefits and compensation to help them pay
Data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in recent years sheds light on the leading causes of car accidents. Through an earlier survey the National Motor Vehicle
We work for income and, hopefully, health insurance. We do our best to stay healthy and in good “working condition” so we can support ourselves and our households by earning
