Having a criminal record may cause problems when seeking certain employment or educational opportunities. If you have been convicted of a crime it may keep you from obtaining certain types of employment or cause you the loss of your job. A criminal record may also restrict your ability to obtain a hunting license or gun permit. Additionally, if you are convicted of a crime, it may be used against you if you are charged with a crime in the future.

There are three major types of crimes:

• Summary Offenses
• Misdemeanor Offenses
• Felony Offenses

Summary charges usually include most traffic offenses and disorderly conduct among others. These charges are made against a person by a police officer through a citation or by a summons by a district justice to appear for a hearing.

Misdemeanors are more serious than summaries and include driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs, simple assault and some theft offenses.

A felony is the most serious type of crime. They include burglary, rape, crimes committed with weapons and murder. In both misdemeanor and felony cases a preliminary hearing will be held before a district justice. The district justice does not determine innocence or guilt at the hearing. His or her only function is to determine if the commonwealth has produced enough evidence of a crime to proceed to trial.

If you are charged with a crime always remember you have two important rights...

1. You have the right to remain silent.
2. You have the right to an attorney.

These rights are important because any statements you make can be used against you and your words can be misinterpreted. It is also important to have an attorney present for any questioning process to insure that the questioning is done in the proper manner and to preserve all of your other rights.

My offices handle all criminal offenses including....

Areas we cover for criminal cases: