Have you been arrested by the Baldwin Borough Police Department or another law enforcement agency in Allegheny County? If so, you need experienced legal representation that’s committed to protecting your rights and restoring your future. Contact SMT Legal for a free initial case review with a seasoned criminal defense lawyer serving Baldwin, and let us provide you with the advocacy and support you need during this challenging time.
If you’re facing criminal charges in Baldwin, PA, hiring experienced legal counsel can help you seek a resolution that protects your freedom and future. A criminal defense attorney from SMT Legal will fight for the best possible outcome to your criminal charges by:
Conducting an independent investigation into your charges to obtain evidence that police or prosecutions may not have
Identifying possible defense strategies that can help you pursue a more favorable resolution to your charges
Helping you understand your charges and the potential outcomes so you can make informed decisions throughout the prosecution
Scrutinizing the prosecution’s case, including by contesting the sufficiency of the evidence or moving to exclude evidence that the police may have unlawfully obtained
Vigorously pursuing the results you want and deserve, even if that means going to trial to fight the government’s case against you
Our attorneys have decades of experience we can leverage on your behalf. We understand that criminal charges put your future at stake, so we are prepared to fight tenaciously to secure the future you deserve.
At SMT Legal, a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can help take on criminal charges such as:
DUI: A motorist can commit a crime by operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or inhalants that impair a person’s ability to drive safely.
Juvenile crimes: Our juvenile defense attorneys can help your family minimize the consequences of your son’s or daughter’s charges, fighting for a resolution that preserves their bright future.
Assault: Assault crimes can range from simple misdemeanors to violent felonies, depending on the circumstances of the offense and the harm suffered by the alleged victim.
Drug crimes: We help clients pursue favorable resolutions to drug-related charges, including simple possession, possession with intent to distribute, or trafficking.
Violent crimes: Our firm represents clients charged with various violent offenses, including assault, kidnapping, burglary, or homicide.
Sex crimes: Pennsylvania law imposes harsh penalties on people who commit sex-based offenses like rape, sexual assault, indecent exposure, sexual extortion, “revenge porn,” or possession/distribution of child pornography.
Theft crimes: Theft offenses range from minor summary offenses or misdemeanors like petty theft or shoplifting to major crimes like robbery or carjacking.
Internet crimes: Our experienced attorneys handle complex criminal cases involving charges related to internet crimes, including identity theft or hacking offenses.
White-collar crimes: White-collar offenses typically involve financially based crimes such as embezzlement, bribery, or fraud involving insurance, mortgages, or securities.
Federal crimes: Our firm has extensive experience defending clients in federal court, protecting them against the frequently harsher penalties and consequences imposed by federal criminal law.
A defendant convicted of a criminal offense in Baldwin may face various penalties based on the severity and grading of their offense. Pennsylvania law classifies crimes as felonies, misdemeanors, or summary offenses, in descending order of severity. Penalties for most criminal offenses in Pennsylvania include:
First-degree felony: Up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000
Second-degree felony: Up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000
Third-degree felony: Up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000
First-degree misdemeanor: Up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
Second-degree misdemeanor: Up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000
Third-degree misdemeanor: Up to one year of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,500
Summary offenses: Up to 90 days of incarceration and a fine of $300 (unless the statute for the offense establishes a larger fine)
Some crimes have specific sentencing provisions. For example, sentences for first-degree murder committed by an adult include the death penalty or life imprisonment. In contrast, second-degree murder carries a penalty of life imprisonment, and third-degree murder carries a maximum prison term of 40 years.
Criminal convictions can result in penalties other than incarceration and fines. For example, a trial court may order a convicted defendant to pay restitution to the victims of the crime for any financial losses that resulted from injuries or property damage they suffered as a result. Defendants convicted of sex crimes may have to register as sex offenders upon release from incarceration, with registration terms lasting for 15 or 25 years or for life, depending on the offense.
Defendants in Baldwin may have various factual or legal defenses they might pursue, depending on the nature of their charges and the facts of their cases. These could include:
Lack of intent/knowledge: A defendant may contest a criminal charge by arguing that they did not have the required criminal intent to commit the charged offense, including intentionality, recklessness, or knowing conduct.
Lack of possession: In drug and weapons cases, a defendant may argue that they did not have actual (physical) or constructive (control/custody) possession of the drugs or weapons at issue.
Mistake of fact: Defendants may assert that they did not intend to commit the crime because they made an honest mistake, such as taking property they reasonably believed they owned.
Mistaken identity/alibi: In cases where the perpetrator’s identity has become an issue, a defendant may challenge the reliability or credibility of a victim’s or witness’s identification. Alternatively, a defendant may present alibi evidence to show they were elsewhere when the offense occurred.
Consent: Many sex crime prosecutions turn on the issue of whether the alleged victim gave valid, uncoerced consent to the sexual encounter. A defense could argue that the alleged victim consented to the activity in question.
Unreliable evidence: Defense strategies may focus on challenging the reliability or persuasiveness of the prosecution’s evidence, such as contesting forensic evidence or expert witness testimony.
Unlawful searches/questioning: A defendant may seek to exclude prosecution evidence that investigators obtained from the defendant by arguing that the police conducted an unlawful search or questioned them without informing them of their rights.
If you’ve been charged with a crime in Baldwin, don’t wait to seek help from SMT Legal. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with our team to learn how a criminal defense attorney serving Baldwin can help you protect your rights and your future.
To reach our office located at 114 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222:
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