Criminal Law in Pennsylvania can be tricky and without proper representation and counsel, you can wind up in a mess of trouble in no time at all. Do not think that you can avoid trouble without proper representation. One wrong move can land you with a suspended license, insurance points, jail time and more. Do not act in haste; make sure you contact The McShane Firm for all of your criminal law needs including DUI law in PA, police and government contact, subpoenas and more.
What to do When Charged with a Crime by Way of Summons (i.e., through the mail)
By calling The McShane Firm at 1-866-MCSHANE right away, you can ensure proper representation in court. If you are charged with any offense in the traffic or crimes code or in the Drug Device and Cosmetics Act (i.e., drug offenses), you cannot represent yourself effectively before a Magisterial District Judge or in the Court of Common Pleas due to a lack of knowledge. The DUI laws in PA are very complicated and unintended consequences can result if you act in haste and without counsel. For example, upon conviction of any sort of possessory drug offense, regardless of the amount or type will result in an automatic driver’s license suspension. Even the residue of a drug substance in a pipe can constitute license suspension. There is also a traffic code section that can result in automatic loss of license upon a plea of or upon the finding of guilt. However, there is a section and section title in the Vehicle Code that can amend a speeding ticket so that not only no points are assessed to your driver’s license, but also it is not automatic reported to your insurance company. Without The McShane Firm’s counsel, very small matters can turn into very large mistakes. If you do not know everything there is to know about your offense and the collateral consequences, you need The McShane Firm’s aid. Do not try to handle your DUI case alone. Let The McShane Firm handle your DUI case because we know DUI laws in PA inside and out.
Police and Government Agency Contacts and Interviews
If the police or a government agency is trying to call you or interview you, odds they are calling or contacting you because they think you have information that they are searching for or they believe that you are somehow involved with or violated the law. Usually, the agency or police department is looking at you as a possible target of a criminal investigation, and even people who ‘have nothing to hide’ can talk themselves into trouble. We have never seen someone who has successfully talked his or her way out of trouble in any criminal law case. The bottom line is that if you do not squawk, you might walk.
The police or government agency might claim differently, but do not be fooled. If you voluntarily go to the station, they can retain you, whether they told you the truth about their questioning or not. Even the most seemly innocent thing such as admitting to knowing someone or even saying that you cannot remember the exact place you were one night three years, eight weeks and two days ago can cause you to be retained and put you in the jackpot. There are many things that can be done to protect your rights and to insure that you do not give them a statement that may ultimately connect you to or convict you of some crime. It is the Commonwealth’s burden to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, not yours to prove yourself innocent. Before the police or government agents even talk to you, they have made up their mind as to whether or not to charge you within the restrictions of criminal law. They just want to see if you will help them convict you with your own words, therefore solving the case for them. Let The McShane Firm help you by representing you during their questioning and help to prevent you from convicting yourself of something you may or may not have been involved in.
Subpoenas from the Grand Jury
If you have been subpoenaed by the Grand Jury, you should call 1-866-MCSHANE right away. You may be a target of an investigation or even possibly a tangentially connected conspirator in a crime. In the state of Pennsylvania, unless you are in federal court the Grand Jury only has investigative and subpoena powers—the Grand Jury cannot indict or charge. Therefore, although it is true that a District Attorney of a particular county cannot convene a grand jury to charge someone with a crime, any statements that you make can and will be used against you in further proceedings. Let the McShane Firm help with your criminal law cases.
Appointments and Payments
Your time and money is important, and The McShane Firm respects that. By calling 1-866-MCSHANE, you can set up an appointment or speak with one of our representatives about your criminal law case or DUI law in PA case. Regardless of the hour, over the phone immediate phone conferences are available upon demand. Early morning appointments, after work appointments, and even weekend appointments can be set up upon request. Time payments can be accepted under certain circumstances. The McShane Firm accepts accept all major credit and debit cards in person, over the phone and over the Internet, as well as checks and Western Union wire transfers. For more information, contact us or call us at 1-866-MCSHANE.
