Wilkes-Barre Law Firm Aggressively Defends Against Criminal Charges

Experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer protects clients’ rights

If you have been charged with a crime in the Scranton or Wilkes-Barre area, you should retain an aggressive criminal defense lawyer with a successful track record who is committed to defending your rights. Since 2008, Lermitte Law has been fighting for the freedom and interests of clients throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. If you, a loved one or your business is threatened by a criminal charge or investigation, it is imperative that the lawyer representing the accused has the expertise to navigate the potential pitfalls of the justice system and defend your rights. The accused has an opportunity between the arrest and the filing of formal charges. That is why it is imperative that the accused involve us early on. It can make a Big Difference. If we are given the opportunity to defend you before formal charges are filed, we may have the opportunity to impact the prosecuting attorney’s office on their filing decision, and in some cases, avoid a long-term criminal record.

Hiring the right criminal defense attorney can make a huge difference in the lives of you and your family for years to come.  I provide free case evaluations and consultations. Call Me Today to preserve your freedom and your rights.

What are the categories of criminal offenses in Pennsylvania?

If you’ve been arrested for a crime in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there are different levels of offenses, which are further divided into degrees of severity. Pennsylvania organizes crimes into three categories —- felonies, misdemeanors and summary offenses. Which category a crime falls into isn’t always certain because it may be affected by the specific case facts and the accused’s prior record:

• Felonies — Felonies are the most serious crimes and come with the stiffest penalties. Felony offenses might include burglary, sexual assault, and certain drug crimes, like selling or trafficking a controlled substance.
• Misdemeanors — Unlike other states, jail terms for misdemeanors can exceed one year in Pennsylvania. Crimes in this category might include DUI, stalking, assault and some drug offenses.
• Summary offenses — These infractions constitute the least serious category of offenses in Pennsylvania, such as underage drinking, disorderly conduct and traffic offenses.

No matter what type of charges you face, you deserve strong representation so that you can get the best possible result, whether that is a dismissal, acquittal or reduced sentence. Pennsylvania will consider any previous offenses in sentencing. My law firm will fight for your freedom, reputation and future.

Possible defense strategies for your criminal case

There’s a common misconception that an arrest is just one step away from a conviction. In fact, the prosecution must prove its case, and the law says you are considered innocent until proven guilty. When you hire my law firm to represent you, I will work closely with you to understand the facts of your case. Depending on the circumstances, I may be able to use several different defenses to get your charges reduced or dropped, including:

• Self-defense — This defense relies on the fact that you were justified in committing a certain act because you were forced to defend yourself or another person.
• Innocence — A strong alibi might dissuade prosecutors from going forward with their case, or you might use your alibi in court to counter the case against you.
• Entrapment — I may be able to argue that the authorities created a deceptive situation in which you believed you were acting lawfully.
• Lack of evidence — If the prosecutors cannot produce sufficient admissible evidence proving your guilt, they might choose to drop the case.  

These are just a few of the many defenses available. In some cases, your fundamental rights might have been violated, which could lead to the exclusion of any evidence resulting from that transgression. Whatever your circumstances, you have my assurance that I will fight for the most positive result possible in your case.

Speak with a skilled Forty Fort criminal defense lawyer today

Whether you are facing DUI, drug trafficking, assault or any other type of criminal charges in Wilkes-Barre or Scranton, Lermitte Law can help. Call 570-285-4662 or contact me online to schedule an initial free consultation. From my Forty Fort office, I represent clients throughout Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.