Criminal Attorney in Bridgewater, PA, Fighting for Client Freedoms in Susquehanna County and Throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania
Everyone deserves a chance, even when they’re facing a criminal charge in Bridgewater. In fact, the right to defend yourself and receive adequate legal representation is enshrined in the Constitution. You have the best chance of defending your freedom and getting your life back when a first-rate Bridgewater Township criminal defense lawyer is here to help you.
It’s not easy to get back from a criminal charge, especially if you make a mistake when you’re young. Many people with a record have an extremely hard time finding jobs, getting into school, and even getting housing.
Knowing this, it’s unfortunate that there were 517 criminal cases in Susquehanna County’s Court of Common Please in 2021, of which 67.1% were convicted after guilty pleas. Of these cases, 63.8% were misdemeanors and only 36.2% were felony charges.
This is important because, with adequate representation, more of these convictions could have had better outcomes. Don’t put your freedom in the balance; let a top Bridgewater Township criminal defense lawyer help you fight your charges.
What Happens When You’re Charged With a Crime in Bridgewater Township, PA?
Like most people, your introduction to the criminal justice system starts with an arrest. From there, the arresting officer will book you and carry out the usual procedures, including a physical search, fingerprinting, and a criminal background search for any outstanding warrants.
The booking creates the official arrest record and lists the charges against you. The officers involved record statements detailing what happened during your arrest and why they arrested you unless there was an official warrant already in existence.
First Court Appearance: Bail
After arrest, all defendants must be presented in court for the first appearance within 72 hours. This first court appearance is simple and straightforward. The judge will read the charges against you, make sure you understand your rights and ask for a plea of “guilty” or “not guilty.”
This is an important hearing because it’s also when the judge sets bail. Every defendant is eligible for bail, although there are different types and conditions of bail bonds:
- Release on Recognizance (ROR), which means you’re released without having to pay anything bail because the court believes you’re not a flight risk
- Release on non-monetary conditions, which means you’re released without bail but on certain conditions. For example, you may be asked not to travel outside the State and not to have contact with the victims
- Unsecured bail bond, which is when the judge sets a bond amount but you don’t pay it so long as you comply with all bail conditions. For example, you can have a $50,000 unsecured bail but get out without paying anything, but failure to meet these conditions means the bail becomes due
- Release on nominal bail is when a bail bondsman posts a small bail amount for you and acts as surety that you will comply with all conditions. If you fail to do so or to appear in court, they’re authorized to find you and bring you in
- Release on monetary condition, which means you must pay the full bail amount or put up an asset with sufficient value as collateral before you can be released
A skilled lawyer is important during the first hearing because they can help you get favorable bail conditions. If you can’t afford a lawyer, this is the point where the judge appoints a public defender for you.
Preliminary Hearing
Pennsylvania is unique because it requires preliminary hearings where the court decides if sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial. The prosecution must show probable cause that a crime was committed and that the defendant is responsible.
This isn’t the main trial, and your guilt or innocence is not the main issue at this point. There’s no jury involved, and only limited witness questioning. A superb lawyer can take this chance to evaluate the prosecution’s case and create a defense strategy.
However, some counties like Philadelphia don’t hold preliminary hearings for misdemeanor cases.
Bridgewater Township Criminal Defense Lawyer Defending Clients in Susquehanna County and Throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania
Criminal defenders have to be quick and aggressive to obtain the best results for the defendant. Knowledge and experience are important, but it’s often the most relentless and dedicated criminal lawyers who obtain the best outcomes. Only when there’s no choice left should your lawyer advise you to plead guilty or accept a plea deal.
Mr. Muckler of Muckler Law, LLC, is an experienced and skilled criminal defense attorney with a commitment to helping residents of Bridgewater Township in Susquehanna fight criminal charges. He specializes in criminal law and most often deals in cases involving:
- Larceny and theft charges in Bridgewater, PA
- Prostitution and patronizing a prostitute in Bridgewater, PA
- DUI in Bridgewater, PA
- Loitering and prowling at night in Bridgewater, PA
- Underage drinking in Bridgewater, PA
- Reckless and careless driving in Bridgewater, PA
- Trespassing in Bridgewater, PA
- Possession of marijuana or narcotics in Bridgewater, PA
- Possession with intent to distribute in Bridgewater, PA
- Sexual assault in Bridgewater, PA
- Assault and aggravated assault in Bridgewater, PA
- Felony offenses in Bridgewater, PA such as rape, kidnapping, murder, arson, burglary, and kidnapping
One of the most important goals of any criminal lawyer is to help the defendant avoid a criminal conviction wherever possible. For many misdemeanor offenses, a top criminal attorney in Bridgewater, PA, can help you get into diversionary programs, such as Probation Without Verdict.
Probation Without Verdict means you can get your charges dismissed so long as you fulfill other conditions imposed by the court, such as drug treatment or anger management classes. You can even have your records cleared after a few years, helping you to get your life back on track.
While there are no guarantees when it comes to a criminal charge, working with the best lawyer available vastly improves the chances of a satisfactory outcome. Contact Muckler Law, LLC, today and let an expert Bridgewater Township criminal defense lawyer help you defend your freedom today.
