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Wexford Criminal Defense

Criminal Lawyers Wexford, PA

Have law enforcement in Wexford arrested and charged you with criminal offenses? Being caught up in the criminal justice system can feel isolating—like the whole world is up against you. 

In these circumstances, you deserve an advocate who will stand up on your behalf and fight hard for the outcome you deserve.

At SMT Legal, our defense attorneys have the experience, knowledge, and skills to seek fair outcomes for clients in Wexford and throughout the Pittsburgh area. We want to pursue the best outcome possible given the charges against you, whether that’s seeking a plea deal, alternative sentencing, or a trial verdict in your favor. Our goal is simple: to protect your rights and freedoms to the utmost of our ability.

So don’t wait to get the legal help you need from a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney serving Wexford. Contact SMT Legal today for a free initial case review, and let’s discuss your path forward together.

Why Choose a Criminal Defense Attorney from SMT Legal?

Getting arrested for a crime in Wexford can jeopardize your reputation, freedom, and future, but having the right criminal defense attorney can mean the difference between a conviction with harsh penalties and a more favorable outcome. Turn to the team at SMT Legal to help you seek the best possible resolution to your charges in Wexford because:

 

  • Our attorneys have decades of combined legal experience, enabling us to utilize our collective knowledge to help you navigate your criminal charges, no matter the complexities of your case.
  • Our team will leave no stone unturned in our search for the best possible outcome under the facts of your case.
  • We strive to offer you the personalized attention and responsiveness you deserve and need during the challenging process of facing criminal prosecution.

Types of Criminal Cases We Handle

At SMT Legal, our experienced criminal defense lawyers help clients in Wexford face charges involving:

 

  • Assault and violent crimes: Our firm represents clients charged with violent offenses like assault, battery, armed robbery, kidnapping, or burglary.
  • Drug crimes: We assist individuals with resolving drug-related charges, such as possession, possession with intent to distribute, or drug trafficking.
  • Domestic violence: Domestic violence offenses include crimes like harassment, stalking, assault, criminal trespass, or sexual assault against a romantic/intimate partner, household/family member, or co-parent.
  • Homicide: Homicide charges in Wexford may involve murder, manslaughter, or vehicular homicide.
  • Sex crimes: Our firm has extensive experience defending clients against allegations of sex-based offenses like rape, sexual assault, indecent exposure, and child pornography.
  • Weapons crimes: Weapons-related crimes may include possession of firearms by prohibited persons, unlawful use of weapons, or possession of weapons for unlawful purposes.
  • White-collar crimes: White-collar crimes include primarily financially based offenses, such as embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, credit card fraud, mail/wire fraud, bank fraud, and bribery.
  • Juvenile crimes: Our firm represents adolescents facing prosecution in the juvenile justice system for conduct that would constitute a crime if committed by an adult.
  • DUI: We defend motorists charged with intoxicated driving in Wexford, helping them pursue favorable resolutions to DUI charges or challenging the prosecution’s evidence at trial.

Potential Defenses to Criminal Charges

A defendant facing criminal prosecution may pursue various defense strategies, depending on the nature of their charges and the facts and evidence in their case. Common defenses against criminal charges include:

 

  • Lack of intent
  • Mistaken identity
  • Alibi
  • Lack of possession
  • Consent
  • Self-defense/defense of others
  • Unreliable forensic evidence
  • Unlawful police/traffic stops
  • Unlawful searches or interrogations by police

 

Our firm will review the facts and evidence in your case to determine whether you have factual or legal defenses to your charges or other legal strategies to help us contest the prosecution’s case against you.

Consequences of a Criminal Conviction in Wexford

A conviction in Wexford can have various consequences for your rights, reputation, and future, depending on the nature of your charges. First, a conviction will result in a criminal sentence. A sentence can impose various penalties upon a convicted defendant, including probation, jail or prison time, and fines. The potential sentencing ranges for a conviction may depend on the grading of the offense or whether the criminal statute imposes a specific penalty range.

 

Standard penalties for criminal convictions include:

 

  • First-degree murder: Life imprisonment or the death penalty and a potential fine of up to $50,000
  • Second-degree murder: Life imprisonment and a potential fine of up to $50,000
  • Third-degree murder: Up to 40 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $50,000
  • First-degree felony: Up to 20 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $25,000
  • Second-degree felony: Up to ten years in prison and a potential fine of up to $25,000
  • Third-degree felony: Up to seven years in prison and a potential fine of up to $15,000
  • First-degree misdemeanor: Up to five years in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000
  • Second-degree misdemeanor: Up to two years in prison and a potential fine of up to $5,000
  • Third-degree misdemeanor: Up to one year of incarceration and a potential fine of up to $2,500
  • Summary offense: Up to 90 days of incarceration and a potential fine of up to $300

 

A court may also order a convicted defendant to pay restitution to their victim(s), which reimburses the victim for the financial losses incurred due to the defendant’s crime.

 

Convictions can have other consequences beyond a criminal sentence. For example, many felony and domestic violence convictions may result in a defendant losing their right to own or possess firearms. Sex convictions will also require defendants to register as sex offenders upon their release from incarceration, which includes the obligation to report to law enforcement periodically and update police regarding changes in personal or employment information.

 

Finally, a criminal conviction will result in a record that can follow a person for years after they’ve completed their sentence. The stigma of a criminal record that appears in background checks for employment, housing, or education can make pursuing opportunities challenging. The short- and long-term consequences of a criminal conviction make it critical to have a dedicated legal advocate who will fight to help you avoid the harshest outcomes of your criminal case.

How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help You Face Charges in Wexford?

A criminal defense attorney from SMT Legal can fight to secure a favorable resolution to your case by:

 

  • Investigating your charges to obtain evidence that can help build a compelling defense
  • Helping you understand your charges and the potential outcomes of your case to ensure you can make informed decisions about how to proceed with your case
  • Reviewing the facts and evidence to identify potential defense strategies
  • Challenging the prosecution’s case at every opportunity to pursue a favorable outcome as efficiently as possible
  • Defending your rights and reputation in court if you choose to take your charges to trial

Contact SMT Legal Today to Discuss Your Options for Resolving Your Case

Charged with committing a crime in Wexford, Pennsylvania? Don’t make the mistake of facing the criminal justice system alone. 

Instead, contact SMT Legal today for a free, confidential consultation with a criminal defense lawyer serving Wexford. We’re standing by to discuss your options for seeking a favorable outcome to your charges and moving on with your life as soon as possible.

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