Hilltown Township Criminal Defense Attorney
Hilltown Township is part of the Bucks County area of Pennsylvania. Overall, this is a safe, small community, but there are odd occurrences of violent crimes in the area. As a result, the police are dedicated to their jobs to keep the community and all of its residents safe. This can result in a person being pulled over for a suspected DUI or some other criminally-related reason. If you or a loved one have been charged with a crime in Hilltown Township, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side to fight for your rights every step of the way.
Being Charged with Theft in Hilltown Township
Theft is a term that encompasses a number of different crimes. Some of the types of crimes include anything from shoplifting, forgery, writing bad checks, receiving stolen property and more. Depending on the specific theft crime, its severity, the items and their value that were stolen and your criminal history, you can be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony. Of course, the more valuable the items stolen, the more likely it is that you can be subject to a felony charge. If the value of the property stolen is under $2,000, you can face a charge of a misdemeanor in the first, second or third-degree depending on the circumstances. However, if the evidence effectively proves that you stole property that was valued at more than $2,000 or was firearms, you can be charged with a first, second or third-degree felony.
Overall, the higher the degree of the offense you are convicted of, the more likely you will receive heftier jail sentences, bigger fines, restitution and other penalties. If you are convicted of a first-degree felony for theft, you can receive a prison term of 20 years and a fine of a maximum of $25,000. although a misdemeanor charge is less serious, it should still not be shrugged off as being “light.” You can still have plenty of difficulties in your life that can affect your future, such as difficulty finding a job or an apartment.
As a result of these issues and many more, it’s very important to hire a skilled Hilltown Township criminal defense lawyer. You will have a strong defense built in your case that can either result in the charges being reduced or even dropped altogether.
DUI Charges in Hilltown Township
If you are pulled over by a police officer on suspicion of driving under the influence and are found to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of over 0.08, you can be charged with a DUI. Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or a combination of both can have serious ramifications. However, you can be charged with a DUI if your BAC is greater than the legal limit of 0.08 even if you don’t have any alcohol in your system. If you are taking prescription drugs or those you can buy over the counter, you can still receive a DUI conviction.
If you have any previous DUI convictions or have a very high BAC, you can face even more serious penalties. If it is your first DUI offense, you can receive six months’ probation, a $300 fine, treatment as ordered by the court and alcohol education classes. However, if it is your second offense, you can expect up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, court-ordered treatment, alcohol education classes and a suspension of your driver’s license for 18 months.
An experienced criminal defense lawyer is needed in any situation of DUI charges. Experience and knowledge in this area can only help you when you go to court. A strong defense can be built and you may even have the charges reduced or dropped.
Disorderly Conduct in Hilltown Township
If you are arrested for any loud or obscene behavior, you might be charged with disorderly conduct instead of a violent crime. Generally speaking, there are certain criteria for a disorderly conduct charge, which is essentially considered a crime committed against the public. The following behaviors are considered inappropriate and can result in a disorderly conduct charge:
• Being too loud or noisy
• Fighting
• Obscene language and gestures
• Creating a hazardous environment
• Threatening another person or group of people
This is typically a charge you receive when you can’t be charged with any particular offense. Usually, it stems from a heated public argument or when you do something unwise while drunk or if you have a party that’s too loud that disturbs the neighborhood.
Whatever the crime with which you are charged, you can benefit from hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney. Your lawyer will expertly build a strong defense in your favor and will ensure that your rights are protected.
