Norristown Criminal Defense Lawyers
Serving Clients Facing Criminal Charges in Montgomery County & Beyond
At Solomon, Berschler, Campbell & Thomas, P.C., in Norristown, PA, we have a record of aggressive and successful criminal defense. That reputation is well known throughout the local legal community. The prosecution knows that we will take a case to trial if a plea bargain is not in our client's best interest.
With former members of the District Attorney's Office on staff, our criminal defense lawyers have ample insight into prosecutorial strategies. In addition, we maintain respectful and positive relationships with the DA's office. They know that we are sometimes open to plea bargains, but they are also well aware that we will take a case to trial when necessary.
Our criminal defense law firm represents clients charged with the following felony and misdemeanor crimes in Norristown, Montgomery County, and throughout Pennsylvania:
- DUI (alcohol or drugs)
- Traffic offenses
- License suspensions
- Drug offenses (possessions, sale)
- Domestic violence/Protection from Abuse
- Murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses
- Retail theft, burglary, robbery, credit card theft
- Sex Offenses
- Probation violations
- Juvenile cases/underage drinking
In addition to the criminal charges listed above, we also handle issues such as expungements, accelerated rehabilitative disposition (ARD) cases and probation violations.
If you or a loved one has been arrested for or charged with a crime in Norristown or within the surrounding areas, contact our Montgomery County criminal defense attorneys at (610) 624-2006 for a free initial consultation.
Pennsylvania Criminal Laws & Penalties
There are two main types of crimes in Pennsylvania: misdemeanors and felonies. In general, misdemeanors are less serious in comparison to felonies, but a conviction for each type of offense can result in harsh penalties, including jail or prison time.
For most crimes, the state uses “indeterminate” sentencing, meaning that the judge will determine a minimum and maximum term if you are sentenced to jail or prison. In general, the maximum cannot exceed the legal limit for your specific offense and the minimum cannot be more than half of the maximum.
The following are the maximum term limits for misdemeanors in PA:
- First-degree misdemeanors – Five years
- Second-degree misdemeanors – Two years
- Third-degree misdemeanors – One year
The following are the maximum term limits for felonies in this state:
- First-degree felonies – 20 years
- Second-degree felonies – 10 years
- Third-degree felonies – Seven years
However, many individual offenses – such as drug possession, rape, and murder – are associated with different maximum terms compared to the lawful standard. Furthermore, some crimes – like DUI, drug manufacturing, aggravated assault, or a violent felony – carry mandatory minimum sentences.
The Basic Steps of a Criminal Proceeding in Pennsylvania
Facing criminal charges in Pennsylvania can be extremely stressful and challenging. It's important to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help guide you through the legal process. Below is a basic outline of the process you may face if you are being charged with a crime.
- Arrest.
- Preliminary hearing.
- Grand jury investigation.
- Arraignment in Criminal Court.
- Trial by jury.
The Norristown Criminal Defense Lawyers at Solomon, Berschler, Campbell & Thomas, P.C. are Here to Help
Do not hesitate to let our legal team protect your rights, reputation, and freedom. We can listen to your side of the story, investigate your arrest, and build a strong and personalized defense strategy to help you either avoid conviction or reduce the charges/penalties you face.
Contact us online to schedule a free consultation or call (610) 624-2006 to learn more about our experienced and knowledgeable legal services. Helping clients in both English and Spanish.
Reviews from Real Clients
Tens of Thousands of People Helped
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Not only my lawyer for life, but also a good friend.
“A few years back after my father passed away I had to sell his house. The guy that helped me sell gave me half the money and ran. It was at this point I met with Leno Thomas. I have used his office ...”
- Bill -
I cannot recommend him highly enough.
“Jerry was my attorney through a very difficult, protracted divorce from a truly unreasonable person. His guidance was ALWAYS correct, and he knew from experience which battles to fight, and which ...”
- Karen -
You can tell that he genuinely cares about his clients.
“Jerry was extremely attentive, explained everything clearly, understood the finances around my case was extremely responsive to emails and phone calls. He makes you feel comfortable but is also a very ...”
- Former Client -
I couldn't ask for a better advocate, adviser and confidant.
“I retained Mr Berschler based on his reputation and several recommendations that held him in the highest regard. He is known for his extensive expertise in all phases of family law and domestic ...”
- Mark -
Really got the job done and got me a result that was even better than I had hoped for.
“I am so lucky to have found Jerry to handle my case. Not only is he an amazing, experienced lawyer with an excellent reputation in the legal community, he is one of the kindest most genuinely caring ...”
- Andrea
