When you have been charged with a crime in Mount Lebanon Township, you have the choice to try and handle the situation yourself or to contact a lawyer experienced with Pennsylvania law and your local courts. You always have the right to an attorney and you should take advantage of this. Instead of trying to figure out the court process one step at a time, you can work with an experienced Mount Lebanon Township criminal defense lawyer at Worgul, Sarna & Ness.
By hiring a skilled attorney, you have someone who can analyze your case and point out options you may not have known about. Your lawyer will also advocate on your behalf and protect your rights throughout plea negotiations, trial, and sentencing. If you’re a resident of Mount Lebanon Township and you’re facing a criminal offense, do not hesitate to call Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC at (412) 281-2146 for a free consultation.
At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, we offer you compassionate yet aggressive representation in a variety of areas of law.
Traffic Offenses
Traffic offenses can range from misdemeanors to felonies, both of which create a criminal record. Common traffic offenses include reckless driving, driving without a driver’s license, drag racing, and aggravated assault with a vehicle. Felony traffic offenses can lead to harsh punishments, but even minor traffic offenses can cause you to serve a brief time in jail or months of probation. You can lose your driver’s license immediately making it difficult to continue school or make it to work. Traffic violations also cause you to accumulate points on your license, which can lead to a suspended license for a period of time in the future.
Driving Under the Influence
It is illegal in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher. If you are found to have a 0.08 percent BAC or higher, you will be charged with a DUI. However, you can also be charged with a DUI without evidence of a 0.08 percent BAC. If you are caught driving impaired due to alcohol, prescription drugs, controlled substances or any combination of these, you can be charged with a DUI.
Even a first-time DUI results in harsh statutory penalties and social consequences. In addition to jail time, probation, fines, a license suspension. You will have to deal with a criminal record, higher insurance premiums, and the loss of career and educational opportunities.
Marijuana and Other Drug Crimes
Many people consider marijuana to be a less dangerous drug, but it is still a controlled substance under the law just like cocaine, meth, and heroin. In fact, marijuana is labeled a Schedule I drug, which are drugs classified as the most likely to cause severe physical or psychological dependence. In other words, marijuana and other Schedule I drugs are considered highly dangerous.
If you are charged with manufacturing, possessing, transporting, or selling marijuana or any other drug, you face very harsh penalties. Depending on the amount of the drug involved, you face years in prison, steep fines, and a license suspension.
Assault
It is illegal to intentionally or recklessly cause someone else a bodily injury using your own body or weapon. It is also illegal to try to hurt others and cause them to fear for their safety. You may be charged with assault if you make physical contact with someone or intentionally make a violent motion, even if you do not come into contact with the other individual. If you caused that other person to fear for his or her safety, then you can be guilty of assault even if you did not cause him or her a physical injury. This is likely to lead to a simple assault charge, which can be punished with up to 1 year in jail.
If the assault included the use of a deadly weapon, you can be charged with aggravated assault, which could lead to 10 years in prison.
Domestic Violence
A domestic violence lawyer can help when violent crimes such as simple or aggravated assault occur between people with a specific type of relationship. You can be charged with domestic violence if the police believe you committed a crime against a spouse, ex-spouse, child, boyfriend or girlfriend, ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend and other family or household members.
Sex Crimes
Any allegations of a sex crime need to be taken seriously. The consequences of a sex crime can include decades or a lifetime on the sex offender registry. This can open you up to discrimination and harassment for years to come. It can also make it difficult to settle into a community, complete your education, and excel at a job. By working with a sex crime defense attorney, you have the best chance at proving your innocence or avoiding harsh penalties upon conviction.
Contact Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC Today
The sooner you have an attorney by your side, the sooner you can protect yourself and start building your defense. Without an experienced criminal defense attorney, prosecutors, and the police can make it seem like you have no other option than to plead guilty or face conviction at trial. However, that is rarely the case. There are often strong defenses to charges against you, and at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, we are determined to build and demonstrate these defenses in court.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys at (412) 281-2146or use the online form to schedule an appointment.
