Norristown Criminal Defense Lawyer

Serving Clients Facing Criminal Charges in Montgomery County, PA

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 criminal 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, our Montgomery County criminal attorneys 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 criminal case to trial when necessary.

Our criminal defense law firm represents clients charged with the following felony and misdemeanor charges in Norristown, Montgomery County, and throughout Philadelphia, PA:

• 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 criminal charges in Norristown or within the surrounding Philadelphia area, 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: misdemeanor charges and felony charges. In general, misdemeanors are less serious in comparison to felonies, but a conviction for each type of criminal offense can result in harsh penalties, including jail or prison time.

For most crimes, Pennsylvania uses “indeterminate” sentencing, meaning that the county judge will determine a minimum and maximum term if you are sentenced to jail or county prison. In general, the maximum cannot exceed the legal limit for your specific criminal charges 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 Pennsylvania:

• First-degree felonies – 20 years
• Second-degree felonies – 10 years
• Third-degree felonies – Seven years

However, many individual criminal 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 highly stressful and challenging. Working with an experienced PA criminal defense attorney who can help guide you through the legal process is necessary. Below is a basic outline of the process in which you are facing criminal charges.

1. Arrest.
2. Preliminary hearing.
3. Grand jury investigation.
4. Arraignment in Criminal Court.
5. 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 Montgomery County 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 criminal defense strategy to help you either avoid conviction or reduce the criminal 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.