Being charged with a crime is a serious matter that can have life-altering consequences. Not only do convictions carry fines and possibly jail time, but a criminal conviction can affect your employment and housing opportunities. Criminal convictions also have social consequences and may damage your reputation with friends and family.
Regardless of the type of crime, the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizens the right to receive a fair trial and seek legal counsel. If you have been charged with a crime in Murrysville, you need a criminal defense attorney to defend your rights.
SMT Legal understands that facing a criminal charge is one of the most stressful things a person can experience. We dedicate ourselves to providing the critical legal support our clients deserve during challenging times. Contact us today to speak to a criminal defense attorney serving Murrysville.
SMT Legal has extensive defense experience with a wide range of criminal charges, including:
Assault and battery
DUI
Drug charges
Federal crimes
Gun crimes
Internet crimes
Juvenile crimes
Sex crimes
Theft
White-collar crimes
It is important to remember that being charged with a crime is not the same as a criminal conviction. A charge is simply an accusation of a crime, and you have a right to defend yourself against your accusers in a court of law. Our attorneys at SMT Legal can stand by your side and provide that defense.
Once the police arrest you for a crime, the state prosecutor will examine the evidence and decide whether or not to press criminal charges. Criminal charges in Pennsylvania fall into three general categories, each carrying a different set of penalties.
Felony Charges
Felony charges are the most serious category of criminal charges and carry the harshest penalties. The law further divides felony charges into three degrees, with first-degree charges being the most severe. Felony charges encompass most serious crimes, such as murder, drug trafficking, burglary, or rape.
Misdemeanor Charges
Misdemeanor charges are a level below felony charges and carry less severe but still significant penalties. Like felonies, there are three degrees of misdemeanor charges, with first-degree misdemeanors the most serious. Misdemeanor charges cover serious crimes that don’t rise to the level of a felony, like assault, drug possession, or theft.
Summary Offenses
Summary offenses are the lowest and least severe category of criminal charges and include smaller statutory offenses like traffic violations, shoplifting, public intoxication, or underage drinking. Although they are the lowest type of criminal charge, a summary offense conviction can still have adverse effects on a person’s employment and housing opportunities.
Every criminal defense case is different and requires a defense tailored explicitly for that circumstance. However, defense attorneys have some typical strategies for defending clients against charges or reducing the severity of those charges.
Raising Reasonable Doubt
In criminal trials, the prosecution must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to get a conviction. Defendants do not have to prove their innocence, so one of the most common defense strategies is to argue that the prosecution has not met the required burden of proof. A defense attorney might question the credibility of witness testimony or raise doubts about evidence central to the prosecution’s argument.
Arguing Against Evidence Admission
Another strategy is for the defense to argue against the admissibility of evidence. This strategy rests on arguing that the court should not allow certain inculpatory evidence into the trial. If the defense can block specific evidence, it can reduce the strength of the prosecution’s case. For instance, your attorney might argue that the police violated your rights when seizing evidence from your house, meaning that evidence is inadmissible in court and cannot factor into jury deliberation.
Reaching a Plea Bargain
Often, cases are resolved through a plea bargain instead of by going to trial. A plea bargain is an agreement in which the prosecution agrees to lesser charges or reduced sentencing in exchange for the defendant admitting guilt. For example, a prosecutor might agree to dismiss drug trafficking charges if the defendant agrees to plead guilty to lesser drug possession charges. According to Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates, upwards of 90 percent of state convictions are reached through plea bargains.
The first thing to remember during an arrest is to stay calm and assert your rights. Even if the police arrest you, you have the right to remain silent and do not have to answer any of their questions without an attorney present. Many people think that by just simply explaining the situation to the police, they can put matters to rest. Unfortunately, the police may use whatever you say to incriminate you in a court of law.
The best option is to calmly assert your right to speak to an attorney before answering any questions from law enforcement. Once your attorney is present, they can guide you through questioning and ensure the police do not overstep their bounds.
When facing criminal charges, your choice of attorney is critical – it can mean the difference between a not guilty verdict or a guilty verdict and jail time. As such, it is imperative that you choose an attorney who is well-versed in criminal law and who can defend you against your charges as effectively as possible.
The team at SMT Legal has decades of experience defending clients against criminal charges in Murrysville. U.S. criminal law operates on the principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” and we will fight tirelessly to protect our clients’ rights and liberties. When we take your case, we will do everything we can to clear your name, avoid the harshest penalties, and achieve the most favorable outcome possible.
Being charged with a crime is one of the most stressful things a person can go through. It can feel like no one is on your side and that there is no support. But with SMT Legal, you don’t have to stand against your charges alone. A criminal defense attorney serving Murrysville can provide a strong legal defense and improve your likelihood of a favorable outcome. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn more about your legal rights and options.
To visit our office at 114 Smithfield St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222:
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