Criminal Attorney in Pittston, PA, Defending Clients in Luzerne County and Throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania
When you’re facing criminal charges in Pittston, it can feel as if the whole government is against you. It’s easy to forget that you have rights preserved in the law that even the government can’t cross, which is why having a Pittston criminal defense lawyer is so important in your case.
One of the best decisions you can make for yourself or a loved one after an arrest is to retain a highly skilled and experienced defense attorney. A good lawyer fights for acquittal or reduced penalties at every point of the trial, beginning from the first court appearance to preliminary trials and court trials.
New data suggests that up to 98% of criminal cases now end in plea bargains, even though a jury trial may give the accused as much as a 30% chance of acquittal. This discrepancy is why a top criminal attorney in Pittston, PA in Luzerne County, can help change the outcome for the better. Matthew Muckler of Muckler Law is here to help you achieve the best outcome in your case, even if the charges against you are severe.
Pittston Criminal Defense Lawyer Fighting for Client Rights
The right to counsel is critical in checking the government’s power, especially that of law enforcement. A top-rated defense lawyer doesn’t just protect your rights, they also give you the best chances of defending yourself against criminal charges to ensure a fair and favorable outcome.
More importantly, a defense attorney ensures that the accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty, as stated in the Pennsylvania Statutes. In practice, this means it’s the job of the Commonwealth to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed a crime before they can be convicted.
Other rights your attorney helps to fight for include:
- The right to a speedy public trial, as allowed by the State Constitution
- Right against self-incrimination, for example, you shouldn’t be forced to give a statement or confess to a crime
- The right to an impartial jury, where your lawyer can help in jury selection to ensure a fair panel
- Rights against unreasonable searches and seizures, as allowed in the Fourth Amendment, which is particularly important in drug-related cases
- Right to due process of law, such as the right be given notice, to be heard in court, and to compel witnesses to testify
These rights may sound simple, but there are complex nuances that the average person may not understand. For example, drugs or weapons obtained in an illegal search and seizure can be disqualified as evidence if they were found during an illegal search, throwing out an entire case.
The prosecution and law enforcement are used to operating within the confines of the law and can use it to violate your rights. Prosecutors may fail to turn over evidence they feel can help exonerate you, even though they’re required to do so by the law. The system is seldom fair, so you have to fight for your rights.
Working with a criminal lawyer can be vital in helping your case. Let a top criminal defense lawyer in Pittston defend you in your case today and ensure your rights are upheld throughout the trial.
Ways to Fight Criminal Charges in Pittston and Throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania
Criminal charges can be minor (misdemeanor charges) or serious (felony charges), and your defense will depend on the circumstances. One of the first opportunities to fight the charges comes at the preliminary trial. This is when the court weighs the evidence presented to determine if the case justifies a trial by establishing that:
- A crime was committed
- The accused person committed the crime
If the judge does not believe there’s enough evidence to take your case to court, they may dismiss your charges at this point. However, the burden of proof is very low, so it’s rare for this to happen.
Once the case proceeds to trial, there are several opportunities a shrewd Pittston defense lawyer can use to help the accused.
Avoiding Conviction for Misdemeanors
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has several pre-trial diversion programs that can help some accused persons avoid prison altogether. One of the most important is the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program, in which an accused person can have charges dismissed upon completing a rehabilitation program.
This program works for first offenders with minor cases and no prior criminal convictions. Another program is the Accelerated Misdemeanor Program (AMP) which also allows offenders to avoid conviction and jail time upon satisfying conditions set by the court.
Offenders who fail to qualify for these programs may also get away with probation and a suspended sentence in certain circumstances. However, getting a favorable result isn’t automatic, and offenders often need a skilled defense lawyer to negotiate such an outcome.
Criminal Attorney in Pittston, PA, Fighting Felony Charges in Luzerne County and Throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania
If you’re facing serious criminal charges in Luzerne County, having an experienced felony defense attorney is the surest way to ensure a strong defense. A felony charge carries serious consequences if you’re convicted and the stakes are very high.
There are four main types of felony charges in PA:
- Murder felonies
- Murder in the first degree: a criminal homicide involving intentional killing, which carries a maximum life sentence or death
- Murder in the second degree: a murder occurring in the course of committing another crime, such as burglary or robbery, and carries 40 years to life in prison
- Murder in the third degree: murder involving recklessness, negligence, or passion (manslaughter/involuntary homicide), carries up to 40 years
- First-degree felony (10–20 years): includes charges such as rape, kidnapping, arson, and theft of property worth $500,000 or more
- Second-degree felony (5–10 years): includes cases such as sexual assault, burglary, aggravated assault, and theft of property between $100,000 and $500,00
- Third-degree felony (3.5–7 years): involves crimes such as possession of drugs with intent to distribute, possession of child pornography, bribery, gun crimes, and theft of property worth between $2,000 and $100,000
It’s important to know that even the most serious cases have the potential for a better outcome if you have a top-quality lawyer. There are many defense strategies you can use, including self-defense, alibi, entrapment, false confession, and reasonable doubt.
No matter how hopeless a case may seem, seeking the help of an experienced Pittston criminal defense lawyer is a wise choice.
Hire a Top Pittston Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
When you hire a criminal defense lawyer, it’s important to ensure that they’re the best one available. Some lawyers are so overwhelmed with cases that they may not offer the best defense, while others may not have experience in the local court system.
If you’re fighting criminal charges in Pittston or the surrounding areas, let Matthew Muckler of Muckler Law help you. With years of experience fighting criminal charges in Northeastern PA, Mr. Muckler is committed to providing personalized attention and top-notch representation for all clients.
For a criminal defense attorney in Pittston, PA that you can trust, contact Muckler Law, LLC.
