Criminal defense for good people.
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney
Being charged with a misdemeanor or felony crime doesn’t have to change the course of your life, but it can. Having the right criminal defense lawyer, DUI attorney or drug lawyer working with you to minimize the charges can make all the difference in whether or not your criminal charge plagues you for years to come. For example, receiving your first DUI can be a terrifying ordeal, but there are many options available to you. It helps to have an experienced Pittsburgh defense attorney who knows not only the law, but the prosecutors, law enforcement, and the ins and outs of the courts.
Why Work With Our Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyers?
I have a decade of experience successfully defending clients in trial and resolving cases outside of court. My career has been 100% dedicated to defending the rights of people who have been accused of misdemeanor and felony crimes right here in the Pittsburgh area. I will walk you through the Pennsylvania legal system and lay out the options available to you under the law. You might be scared or stressed, but I can help alleviate your worries and demystify the consequences.
What sets me apart from other Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyers? I will never convince you to take a plea or settle if you want a trial. When you’re a client, we’re a team. I help you understand the options so you can make the best decision for your situation. If you want a trial, I will fight for you. Other attorneys might try to discourage trial because it can be anxiety-inducing or costly for them. I care most about the best possible outcome so you can move on with your life. Just ask the 300+ clients who have given us 5-star reviews on Google.
Mike Worgul
Successfully handling every aspect of the criminal spectrum – ranging from disorderly conduct to murder and manslaughter. I treat every case as though it will go to trial.
Samir Sarna
An experienced litigator who has successfully taken over 20 jury and bench trials to verdict, and argued criminal appeals before the Superior Court.
Matthew Ness
A passionate advocate for his clients’ rights with extensive trial experience, focusing on providing the client with the attention and compassion they deserve.
Local Matters – Allegheny County Criminal Attorneys
Pittsburgh is my home – I grew up here, went to school here, and settled down and started a family here. This is why I’m committed to helping people in our area. We all make mistakes, but your mistake shouldn’t dramatically change the rest of your life.
Why Us?
Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys make sure that you know your options. We’re compassionate toward your situation, but we don’t believe in sugar coating. In order to find the best criminal defense attorney in Pittsburgh, you should read what previous clients have to say. Our law firm has received over 300 5-star reviews from satisfied clients. Let us help you – call us for a free consultation with a criminal lawyer near you to learn how we can defend you.
Our Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Featured Practice Area
Charged with a Pittsburgh DUI?
If you have recently been pulled over, you need experienced counsel to protect your rights.
Even for a first offense DUI charge, you may face hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines, probation or prison time, and other penalties if convicted. You may have heard about restricted driving privileges or Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) as potential alternatives to maintaining your rights. The best way to negotiate these options is to have a skilled Pittsburgh DUI attorney on your side to help defend you.
What happens when you hire a criminal lawyer at our firm to handle your case? The first thing we do is request police reports and any footage from your traffic stop. This will show us if there are any errors with the evidence that can be thrown out in court. We also use this information to start crafting your DUI defense. We have over 15 years of combined experience in analyzing chemical and physical evidence to help our clients achieve the best possible outcome for their DUI cases. To learn how we have successfully represented individuals with their serious DUI cases, read our successful DUI results.
The good news is you don’t have to do this alone. We can answer your questions and much more. At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, our Pittsburgh DUI attorneys are skilled at evaluating evidence, building an effective defense, and fighting to reduce your charges. Need help fighting your Pennsylvania DUI? Call us today for a free consultation at (412) 281-2146. We are here 24/7 to learn the details of your case and fight for your rights.
Criminal Penalties and Consequences Can Be Serious
If you don’t hire an experienced defense lawyer to handle your local or federal case, you could be facing the maximum penalties for your criminal charge – thousands in fines, jail or prison time, rejection of child custody rights, and more. Don’t let the cost of defense deter you from calling. We can work out a payment plan that suits us both.
Charged with a crime?
You should know what you’re facing. Search for your charge in the box below to learn more about the potential consequences if you’re convicted.
Ready to be represented?
Call or text us at (412) 281-2146 for a free consultation.
Don’t Delay on Protecting Your Rights
Why Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC?
- Over 10 years of criminal defense experience
- Works in all Pennsylvania courts
- Born & raised in Pittsburgh
Fees & Payments
- Flat fees
- Flexible payment plans
- Accepts all major credit cards
Let’s Talk
- Calls answered 24/7
- Speak with a lawyer, not a paralegal
- Provided with your attorney’s cell number
Contact Us Today
Effective criminal defense starts with a careful analysis of the situation
In some instances, you may have already been charged with a misdemeanor or felony crime and you’re looking to hire a criminal attorney before your court date. In other cases, the police might be asking you questions about your whereabouts or any knowledge you may have about a crime. Both of these situations require immediate action to maintain your rights and ensure that you’re not put into a worse situation.
If you’ve already been charged
I can review your case and situation, learn about the circumstances of the charge, and learn the prosecution’s evidence for charging you. The first few days following an arrest or summons are critical. With over a decade of criminal defense experience , including federal criminal defense, juvenile crimes, RICO charges, sex crimes and drug crime cases, including marijuana defense I know the law and can help demystify the process for you and your loved ones. Having a good criminal defense attorney on your side can help you minimize life-changing negative consequences.
If you haven’t been charged with an offense yet
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me for a free initial consultation. Your chances are better if we can work together before formal charges are filed against you in the criminal justice system. This is an important opportunity to learn why law enforcement might be contacting you about your knowledge of an offense and get a head start on reviewing evidence against you. Ultimately my goal is to build the strongest and most compelling defense for you.
If a family member or friend is in jail following an arrest
Please contact me. I’m happy to meet with potential clients in jail while they’re awaiting bail. If the bail has been denied or is set unreasonably high, I can work to fight this on your loved one’s behalf. Knowing that someone you care about is in jail is stressful and worrisome, and I can help alleviate these concerns.
Don’t Talk to the Police
They may ask you leading questions that could hurt your case or be used against you out of context. You shouldn’t talk back to the police or become argumentative, because that could lead to other problems, but it’s in your best interest to have your Pittsburgh defense attorney present when you’re speaking with law enforcement or investigators.
Are the police knocking on your door?
You might be worried, and some of these questions might be running through your head:
It’s crucial to have an experienced criminal lawyer on your side if the police are asking about where you were or what information you might have about an alleged offense.
Find out what your rights are
Your Right to Trial
Many criminal defense attorneys in Pittsburgh will shy away from a trial. In all honesty, they tend to be more costly for defense attorneys to prepare for a trial since they’re more complex. On the other hand, I’m an experienced Pittsburgh trial attorney who enjoys representing clients in trials and would never encourage you to take a plea if a trial is what you want.
Once you become a client, I’ll work with you to evaluate your case, charges, and the Commonwealth’s evidence against you. We’ll discuss every possible option so you can make the right decision for your situation. If – after reviewing the options – you decide you would like to go to trial, I’ll start preparing your defense for court. I will also guide you through the Pennsylvania criminal trial process and the federal criminal trial process so you know exactly what to expect, when to arrive, and more.
Most importantly, I believe in your rights. You have a right to a fair and speedy trial under our nation’s Bill of Rights, and I feel strongly that protecting your rights and your life is important.
Hiring Your Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer
Hiring a defense lawyer can be stressful, and you might be asking yourself why it matters who you hire and if you should even bother. It’s simple – when your rights, your life, and your future are in danger, it matters. I can offer my years of criminal defense experience, in-depth understanding of the law, and my ability to fight for your rights to their fullest. I keep my fees reasonable so that I can help you diminish the lasting impact of these charges.Don’t take my word for it though. In order to find the best criminal defense attorney in Pittsburgh, you should read what previous clients have to say. Our law firm has received over 300 5-star reviews from satisfied clients.
Questions about the Criminal Process?
Understand the Pennsylvania criminal court process and how it affects you.
Convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime in Allegheny County?
You might think that your criminal conviction is a permanent stain on your record. In some instances, this is true – but in others, it’s possible to have your conviction appealed or your record expunged. Call a criminal defense lawyer from our firm today!
If you’ve been convicted of an offense and you feel that you have been wrongly convicted or sentenced, I can review your case to determine if there are legal grounds to appeal your criminal conviction and preserve the legal issue for appeal. If this is the case, I can walk you through the Pennsylvania criminal appeals process and work to improve your legal situation to the best possible outcome I can achieve. This is a complex process that can take up to a year, so a knowledgeable criminal appeals lawyer (like myself) can be useful.
As you might already know, having a criminal conviction on your record can be problematic for keeping your job, getting hired, obtaining or maintaining security clearances, and more. You might not be able to drive your car for months or years, and you have a shadow following you for wrongdoing. I work with clients to see if they’re eligible for pardons and record expungement. I can assist you in gathering the exhibits to clear your record and your name. Your past doesn’t have to be your future.
We’re a Team
When it comes down to it, you are likely worried about what your future holds if you’re convicted. After years of working as a Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer, I can help reduce some of your worry by working to get the best possible outcome for your legal situation.
Our Criminal Lawyers Are Here for you, 24/7
You may have been recently charged with a DUI while driving home late at night and now you’re looking for help. Maybe the police stopped by and asked you some questions that make you wonder if you’ll be charged with a crime you didn’t commit, so you’re lying awake in bed worrying about your future.
I understand, and I’m here to answer your questions and help you through the Pittsburgh criminal defense process, no matter the time.
Call or Text us at (412) 281-2146