Open 24/7 412-765-3345
Open 24/7 412-765-3345
If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, you likely have questions about your court date, potential penalties, your job, and what happens next. A Mount Lebanon criminal defense lawyer can review the allegations, police conduct during their investigation, and what defenses apply under Pennsylvania law. At SMT Legal, we represent individuals accused of criminal offenses in Mount Lebanon and all of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Partner Criminal Defense Attorney
Call/Text<br /> an Attorney Today 412-448-6887
The attorneys at SMT Legal serve Pittsburgh and practice criminal law through direct relationships with clients instead of a high-volume operation. Founded by attorneys with roots in Pittsburgh and Point Park University, SMT Legal handles criminal cases for clients across Allegheny County.
You work directly with an attorney who reviews the facts of your case and also has access to our firm’s litigation experience and knowledge of Pennsylvania criminal statutes.
A criminal matter in Mount Lebanon could arise out of a police investigation, traffic stop, domestic incident, reported theft, or other interaction with law enforcement. Your charges could involve events that occurred on Washington Road, near Uptown Mount Lebanon, close to Cochran Road, or anywhere else in the nearby community.
Pennsylvania law outlines numerous offenses, each defined by specific components and classifications that need to be satisfied. For instance, the general definition of simple assault under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2701 refers to causing bodily harm to another individual, or attempting to do so. A simple assault charge usually lands as a second-degree misdemeanor, but specific conditions might lead to a different classification.
Another example involves theft by unlawful taking under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3921. When charged with theft by unlawful taking of movable property, prosecutors generally must prove you unlawfully took or exercised control over someone else’s property with intent to deprive them of that property. Additional crimes we handle include:
The attorneys at SMT Legal know Pennsylvania criminal law, and we can assist you in your criminal case.
Mount Lebanon is served by Magisterial District Court 05-2-19. The address is 680 Washington Road, Suite B-103, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
Felony charges and other serious matters can end up in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. According to court statistics, criminal filings were steep in Pennsylvania’s most populous county. In 2024, a total of 8,876 new criminal cases were brought before the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Of the total filings, 10,161 criminal cases were processed, with 6,399 of those resulting in a guilty plea.
A defendant’s criminal defense depends on the charge and evidence. This may start with discovering whether or not the prosecution has access to body-camera footage, videos from surveillance cameras, witness testimony, police reports, forensic test results, phone records, photos, or other forms of evidence.
Examining the circumstances of a traffic stop, search of your person or property, seizure of evidence, or arrest is another critical part of defense analysis. Police may have violated your rights, which gives defense counsel an opportunity to file a motion to suppress evidence. In other situations, the key issue may relate to witness credibility, identification, criminal intent, actual possession, or an element of the charged offense.
When you hire a criminal defense lawyer, you gain an advocate who can defend your rights and future. Your lawyer can explain what dismissal, diversion, and different plea bargains mean in practice instead of risking you making decisions without knowing the legal consequences. By identifying weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case based on the facts and law, your attorney can use them to your benefit at the right time.
Chris Thomas is a partner with SMT Legal. He started his career in the legal field in 2001 and joined the SMT Legal team in 2011. Chris earned an undergraduate degree in political science from Point Park University and a law degree from Duquesne University School of Law. He prides himself on communicating with clients.
From multi million-dollar injury settlements to complex criminal defense—get the team that fights to win.
Call/Text an Attorney Today 412-448-6887
Some criminal records can be expunged in Pennsylvania, depending on the type of record and disposition of the case. You might be able to get a criminal record expunged if your case was dismissed, you finished an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, or, in rare cases, for certain convictions. Pennsylvania also maintains limited record sealing provisions, which can restrict access to certain eligible criminal records.
Yes, a criminal charge can show up on an employment background check. How much an employer is able to view depends on what records are searched and whether Pennsylvania law restricts access to them. Additionally, certain records may eventually be eligible to be sealed or expunged. Pennsylvania law also restricts how employers can use criminal-history information for employment purposes.
You may be able to travel while you have a pending criminal case. Just having a criminal charge won’t automatically stop you from traveling, but your release or bail terms might put restrictions on where you can go or require you to get approval to leave Pennsylvania. Travel may become an issue if the defendant has employment, family, or previously scheduled obligations outside of the county or state. Check the specific bail order before traveling.
Missing a criminal court date can cause further issues in an active criminal case. Judges may issue warrants, reconsider bail, or take other action based on the facts of the situation. A defendant who misses a hearing should take immediate action to remedy the situation instead of waiting for the court to automatically reschedule or assume the missed appearance was waived.
This Changes Everything. We’re Ready Anyway.
If you’ve been charged with a crime, give us a call to speak with a Mount Lebanon criminal defense lawyer. We understand criminal laws and can help you understand how they apply to your case. Schedule your free consultation with SMT Legal today. Call or text Christopher P. Thomas directly at 412-448-6887.
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