Criminal Defense Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

If you’ve been arrested for DUI or drunk driving in Pennsylvania, our Pittsburgh DUI lawyers can help protect your license, minimize penalties, and challenge the evidence against you. From breath tests and field sobriety results to ARD program eligibility, we know how to build strong defenses for first-time and repeat offenders alike.

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 criminal lawyer 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 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. Our Pittsburgh criminal attorneys can answer your questions and much more. At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, our defense attorneys are skilled at evaluating evidence, building an effective defense, and fighting to reduce your charges. Need help fighting your Pennsylvania DUI charges? Call us today for a free consultation at (412) 281-2146. Our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers are here 24/7 to learn the details of your case and fight for your rights.

Don’t Delay on Protecting Your Rights

Our Defense Attorneys Will Carefully Analyze the Details of Your Case

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.

Committed to Taking Cases to Trial

Many Pittsburgh defense lawyers try to avoid trial because it takes time, effort, and preparation. At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, we’re different — we’re trial-ready criminal defense attorneys who prepare every case as if it will go before a jury. We’ve represented clients in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Magisterial District Courts across Western PA.

Guiding You Through the Criminal Justice Process

When you hire our Pittsburgh criminal defense attorneys, we’ll review your charges, discovery evidence, and the Commonwealth’s case. You’ll understand every option before deciding how to proceed — whether to negotiate, seek dismissal, or take your case to trial. If trial is best, we’ll prepare your defense and walk you through every step of the Pennsylvania criminal trial process, from arraignment to sentencing.

What to Expect During a Criminal Trial in Pennsylvania

A criminal trial in Pennsylvania typically involves several stages — pre-trial motions, jury selection, opening statements, cross-examination of witnesses, and closing arguments.

Our Pittsburgh trial lawyers guide you through each step, explaining the roles of the judge, prosecutor, jury, and defense counsel, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Filing motions to suppress evidence
• Presenting witness testimony
• Cross-examining law enforcement officers
• Delivering closing arguments before the jury deliberates

Every detail matters — from how evidence is handled to how the story is told. These strategies can mean the difference between conviction and acquittal.

Representing Defendants in Misdemeanor and Felony Cases

Our Pittsburgh criminal defense attorneys represent clients facing both misdemeanor and felony charges in Pennsylvania. We defend against a wide range of offenses, including DUI, assault, theft, drug crimes, white-collar offenses, and homicide. With extensive trial experience and deep knowledge of Pennsylvania’s criminal code, we fight to protect your rights, suppress inadmissible evidence, and secure the best possible result — whether that’s a dismissal, acquittal, or reduced charge.

Negotiations, Appeals, and Post-Conviction Options

Not every case ends at trial. Our team handles plea negotiations, sentencing mitigation, and post-conviction appeals. We help clients decide whether to accept a plea deal, pursue diversion programs, or fight for a new trial. Our Pittsburgh criminal appeals lawyers also assist with expungements and record sealing to clear your name after a case concludes.

What to Look for in a Pittsburgh Defense Attorney

If you’ve been convicted of a criminal offense and you feel that you have been wrongly convicted or sentenced, we 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, our Pittsburgh criminal attorneys can walk you through the Pennsylvania criminal appeals process and work to improve your legal situation to the best possible outcome we can achieve. This is a complex process that can take up to a year, so a knowledgeable criminal appeals lawyer 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. We work with clients to see if they’re eligible for pardons and record expungement. Our criminal defense attorneys can assist you in gathering the exhibits to clear your record and your name. Your past doesn’t have to be your future.

Criminal Defense FAQs

What should I do if I’ve been charged with a crime in Pittsburgh?

If you’ve been arrested or charged in Pittsburgh or Allegheny County, don’t speak to police or prosecutors before consulting an attorney. Our criminal defense lawyers can explain your rights, review the evidence, and begin protecting you immediately.

Is it worth hiring a lawyer for my first criminal offense?

Yes. Even a first-time misdemeanor can lead to lasting consequences — fines, jail time, and a permanent record. An experienced defense attorney can often negotiate reduced charges, diversion programs, or case dismissals to protect your future.

What makes Worgul, Sarna & Ness different from other Pittsburgh criminal defense firms?

Our firm focuses exclusively on criminal defense and takes a trial-ready approach to every case. We know the local courts, prosecutors, and judges throughout Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania. Clients choose us because we combine courtroom experience with personal attention and a commitment to getting the best possible results.

What types of criminal cases does your firm handle?

We defend clients facing all Pennsylvania and federal criminal charges, including DUIs, assault, drug crimes, theft, white-collar offenses, and more. Our trial lawyers have represented defendants in every level of criminal justice system, from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania to the Allegheny County court system.

How much does it cost to hire a Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer?

We offer free consultations and transparent flat fees with payment options. The cost depends on your specific charges and whether your case proceeds to trial. We’ll explain your options upfront so there are no surprises.

Where is your office located, and do you serve clients outside Pittsburgh?

Our main office is located at 332 Fifth Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh, near Market Square and the Allegheny County Courthouse. We also represent clients throughout Western Pennsylvania from our offices in Beaver, Butler, Greensburg, and Washington, PA.