In The Press : Com. vs. Swartz
Swartz Update
The Lewistown Sentinel
Friday April 22, 2005
By Frank J. Jost
Sentinel Reporter
Dustin Swartz’s father and sister, who are accused of tampering with evidence in connection with the robbery of the Mifflintown Weis Market, waived their preliminary hearings Thursday.
Pennsylvania State Police Lewistown allege Frank J. Swartz Jr., 46, and Samantha J. Swartz, 25, both of RR 1, Port Royal, burned clothing worn by suspects Dustin Swartz and Stanford Adler during the Nov. 24 robbery. According to court documents, charges were filed against Frank Swartz and Samantha Swartz through Magisterial District Judge Jaqueline Leister’s office on March 21.
Attorney Justin McShane is representing all three Swartzes on their respective charges. “The district attorney has already conceded that the case is appropriate for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition,” McShane said. “At the conclusion of the ARD program, the Swartzes will have their original charges dismissed and their records expunged.”
“Everyone … understands that the Swartzes were faced with an impossible panic situation that led them to make a rash decision, inspired by love and not one based upon cool, reflective thought,” McShane said. “The ARD disposition is the just and right call by the DA.”
When charges against Frank Swartz and Samantha Swartz were filed, District Attorney Ken Mummah said he did not feel the community would be served if either of them went to prison. Mummah said he agreed with McShane that the ARD program was more appropriate in this case.
Both Frank Swartz and Samantha Swartz are scheduled to appear June 6 for their formal arraignments in the Juniata County Court of Common Pleas.
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Unfortunately I am the owner of some bad decisions in my life. Choosing the McShane Firm isn’t one of them. This was my second DUI case and I was afraid that I was going to lose my license. This time I only had some light drinks but was unlucky and got pulled over. Obviously, I was very scared and confused. How would my prior violation affect this case? Am I going to jail? Will I lose my license? These were just some of the questions swirling around in my head. I settled down and called a bunch of lawyers. The first one that called me back was Attorney Tim Barrouk. The first thing I liked about him was his compassion. He really cares about his clients and fighting for their rights. Tim was willing to do the dirty work that other attorneys in my previous cases were not. Where they settled and took the easy road, Tim went to bat for me. Watching Tim in trial is remarkable. When he sets foot in the courtroom, he is the expert. From the onset of his cross-examination, the state trooper, (who had over twelve years of experience) never had a chance. The result- Not Guilty. I highly recommend Attorney Tim Barrouk to anyone facing a DUI violation. His knowledge and hard work is unmatched- and that’s why he is the best.
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