If you have been accused of a crime, it is imperative that you speak to an attorney immediately. People sometimes underestimate the severity of the situation and assume that everything will blow over. This is a major mistake. If you are not proactive about your defense, prosecutors and police will walk all over you, and the possibility of criminal penalties may become a harsh reality.

The best time to speak to a criminal defense lawyer is now. Call a lawyer if you have been arrested, charged, or believe you will be soon. The charges may range from minor summary offenses to severe felonies, depending on your situation, and penalties may also vary greatly. Defendants facing serious felony charges may be imprisoned for years or even life. When you speak to your attorney, they can help you tailor an effective defense strategy to your needs.

Call our criminal defense lawyers at (215) 826-3314 and get a free review of your case from our team at The Liberty Law Team.

The Right Time to Call a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Ardmore for Help

One of the biggest mistakes people make when faced with criminal accusations or charges is hesitating to contact an attorney. It is never too soon to speak to an attorney. While many people call a lawyer only after they have been arrested, you can and should contact a lawyer before being arrested, if possible. If you suspect you are under investigation or have already spoken to the authorities, contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

The sooner you get started with a lawyer, the better your attorney may be at mounting an effective defense. If you wait too long to call a lawyer, they will spend a lot of time playing catch-up, and you might lose time preparing your defense. Also, our criminal defense attorneys might be able to spot flaws in the case against you as the authorities and prosecutors build it, making it easier to undermine their case when the time comes.

Possible Criminal Charges and Penalties A Defendant Might Face in Ardmore

There are numerous types of criminal charges in Pennsylvania, each with a different set of potential fines and jail or prison time. Fines for offenses ranging from summary offenses to misdemeanors to felonies are found under 18 Pa.C.S. § 1101 and range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.

Summary Offenses

A summary offense is a minor offense that is more often punished with fines than jail time. Many summary offenses do not even result in an arrest but are met with citations. Even so, jail time for summary offenses is possible.

According to § 1105, the potential jail time for a summary offense is up to 90 days. The fine for a summary offense may be $300 unless some other higher amount is specifically authorized by statute. Some common examples of summary offenses include disorderly conduct, loitering, and minor retail theft.

Misdemeanors

While misdemeanors are sometimes regarded as less severe than felonies, the penalties may still be much harsher than you realize. People spend years in jail for certain misdemeanor offenses.

According to the law cited above, the fines may be $2,500 for third-degree misdemeanors, $5,000 for second-degree misdemeanors, and $10,000 for first-degree misdemeanors. People facing charges for multiple misdemeanors might owe the court a staggering sum.

Jail time is also nothing to laugh at. According to § 1104, a defendant convicted of a third-degree misdemeanor may face up to 1 year in jail. Those convicted of a second-degree misdemeanor may be sentenced to up to 2 years. Finally, a defendant convicted of a first-degree misdemeanor may face no more than 5 years in jail. Again, those facing multiple misdemeanors may be incarcerated for quite some time.

Felonies

Felonies are among the most serious charges a defendant might face. These are the kinds of charges that send people to prison for a very, very long time. If you or someone you know is charged with even a single felony, call a lawyer immediately.

According to § 1103, felonies may be punished very harshly. If someone is convicted of a third-degree felony, they may be sentenced to no more than 7 years in prison. For those convicted of a second-degree felony, prison time may be no longer than 10 years. Finally, prison time for a conviction for a first-degree felony may be for no more than 20 years. Certain felonies, like murder, may involve even harsher penalties, like life in prison.

Developing the Most Effective Defense Strategies for Your Criminal Case in Ardmore

Every criminal case involves a different set of charges and a unique set of facts. You need a defense strategy uniquely tailored to your case and needs. Below are just a few defense strategies worth talking about with your lawyer.

Challenge the Evidence

All relevant information and evidence should be exchanged during the discovery phase of your case. Once we have the evidence, we can determine if it is sufficient to convict. In some cases, prosecutors pursue criminal charges based on weak, flimsy evidence. If there is no way the evidence could prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, we can file a motion to dismiss the case for insufficient evidence.

Even if prosecutors have enough evidence, the jury might not trust or believe it. If there is any reason the evidence against you should not be trusted, we must bring it up during the trial. If there is any room for reasonable doubt, the jury should not convict.

Violations of Your Rights

The police have a lot of power when making arrests and bringing people into custody, but this power is not absolute. If the police did something to violate your rights, any evidence they obtained through the violation may be excluded from the trial.

For example, the police often gain a lot of incriminating information from defendants when they question them while in custody. Before questioning can begin, the police are required by law to inform defendants of their Miranda rights, including their right to a lawyer and to remain silent. If they did not inform you of these rights, anything you said during questioning cannot be used against you.

Plea Agreements

Sometimes, getting charges dropped or dismissed is not possible, and the evidence against you might be so overwhelming that an acquittal from a jury is unlikely. In such cases, your best defense strategy might be to avoid a trial and negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecutor. For example, you might agree to plead guilty, and, in return, the prosecutor might downgrade your charges to reduce the penalties. This is not always ideal, but it might be a good solution for certain defendants.

Contact Our Ardmore Criminal Defense Attorneys to Get Legal Help Now

Call our criminal defense lawyers at (215) 826-3314 and get a free review of your case from our team at The Liberty Law Team.