The attorneys of Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC are proud to serve the residents of Bethel Park Borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. As criminal defense lawyers, we offer help at every stage of the investigation and court process. Whether you have only been accused of a crime or you began a criminal case as your own attorney, we can step in and appear on your behalf. We can protect your Constitutional rights during a police investigation and later aggressively advocate for your rights in court, if necessary. We have years of experience in defending individuals charged with a wide range of misdemeanors and felonies. Whatever your situation, we are prepared. Call us at (412) 281-2146 to schedule an appointment.
Assault & Domestic Violence
It does not take a lot to get yourself into an unwanted situation if you let your temper get the better of you or an argument escalates further than necessary. Unfortunately, it is possible for assault or domestic violent charges to arise out of difficult and heated situations. Under Pennsylvania law, assault is when you intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly attempt to cause another person bodily harm. Domestic violence charges happen when an assault is committed against a person you have a particular personal relationship with.
Notice that assault law has to do with an alleged attempt to do violence – not a complete violent act. Your alleged victim does not need to have any physical injuries in order for you to be charged and convicted of assault.
Violent Crimes
While an assault may not have resulted in anyone being injured, a violent crime is defined by serious or fatal injuries to others. Violent crimes include charges for voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, multiple degrees of murder, and robbery. These crimes may include using a weapon like a gun, which can lead to additional years in prison upon conviction.
If you have been charged with a violent crime you need an experienced criminal defense attorney like those at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys. A violent offense should always be taken seriously considering the harsh punishments you can expect upon conviction. You are likely looking at least a decade in prison for a violent felony conviction.
Arson & Property Crimes
Pennsylvania takes crimes against property just as seriously as offenses against other individuals. You can be charged with a number of crimes related to damaging other people’s property including trespassing, criminal mischief, vandalism, and arson.
You might be tempted to take a property-related offense less seriously than other criminal charges, but a conviction for one of these crimes can still lead to jail time, heavy fines, and a detrimental criminal record. You could also be responsible for the cost of damages to the other people’s property, which increase the cost of conviction significantly.
Arson that puts other people in danger is a first-degree felony and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. If someone dies in the fire, you will be charged with first-degree murder, which is punishable by life in prison without parole.
Fraud & White Collar Crimes
Not every crime hurts a person or property physically. Fraud and other white collar crimes like identify theft are illegal because they harm other people or businesses financially. These crimes allege you used deception to unlawfully obtain or gain control over someone else’s property.
Pennsylvania has laws regarding access device, food stamp, and insurance fraud. However, many other actions can be charged as crimes under the state’s forgery and fraudulent practices law, such as writing bad checks or impersonating another person.
Traffic Violations
You are in your car all of the time and sometimes you are not a perfect driver. None of us are. Unfortunately, you may make a mistake the day that a police officer is behind you or you end up causing an accident. Traffic violations may seem like a mere inconvenience, but you should take a ticket or traffic offense seriously. Pennsylvania uses a point system, which means even minor tickets can cause you to accrue points that lead to your losing your driver’s license.
If you receive a traffic ticket, call an attorney at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC right away to learn about your rights and the best way to fight the offense.
DUI
Being accused of drunk driving can hurt your reputation at work and make things difficult for your family. If you were arrested and charged with a DUI in Pennsylvania, you should hire an attorney right away. The penalties for a DUI can include fines, jail time, losing your license and more. You will also have a DUI on your record, which can make getting certain jobs difficult in the future.
There are many potential defenses to a DUI charge including looking at whether the initial stop was legal or if the chemical tests used to determine your blood alcohol level were accurate. Call Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys as soon as possible to learn your options when you have been charged with a DUI.
Marijuana & Other Drug Crimes
Marijuana may be more socially acceptable now than it was in the past, but marijuana is a drug like any other controlled substance in Pennsylvania. The only exception is if you lawfully used marijuana or a cannabis product for a medical purpose under Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act.
If you have been accused of possessing, manufacturing, transporting, or selling an illegal drug, you should contact an attorney immediately. Drug crimes can lead to harsh prison sentences even when what you may need is rehabilitation.
Call a Bethel Park Borough Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been charged with a crime in Pennsylvania, call Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys as soon as possible. Whatever your circumstances or the charges, the experienced criminal defense attorneys of Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys will get to know you and the nuances of your situation in order to build you a strong defense.
Contact Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC at (412) 281-2146 or online to schedule a new case consultation.
