Lower Merion Township Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with a crime in the Lower Merion Township area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, you will have certain consequences to face. No matter what the crime in question, if you are convicted, you will receive penalties that can include anything from a fine to jail time to years in prison. All of these things can significantly affect your family and future, which means it is very important to retain a skilled Lower Merion Township criminal defense attorney to protect your rights. It is the best chance you have at learning your legal options and easing your fears as you get all of your questions answered by someone with the right knowledge and experience.

Lower Merion Township Criminal Defense

Experienced criminal defense attorneys are fully equipped to help people in the Lower Merion Township area of greater Philadelphia when they have been charged with any number of crimes. Some of the crimes the lawyers can handle in caseloads include theft, burglary, drug possession, robbery and fraud, to name a few.

A person who is convicted of one of these crimes or others can face a number of consequences that can remain with them for years to come and potentially even throughout their lifetime. A few of the ramifications include the following:

• Fines that range from a minimum of hundreds of dollars to a maximum of thousands of dollars, plus court costs
• Jail or prison time
• Permanent criminal record
• Loss of employment and difficulty obtaining employment
• Loss of driving privileges
• Difficulty retaining custody of children
• Difficulty keeping or obtaining professional licenses

It’s important to note that the charge you face and the circumstances surrounding the offense can determine whether you are able to avoid some or even all of these consequences. This is one of the chief reasons why it’s so important to retain an experienced Lower Merion Township criminal defense attorney as they can ensure that your rights are protected and that you know what to expect while all the evidence against you is fully scrutinized.

Another thing to acknowledge is that it is imperative to contact a criminal defense attorney immediately if you are being investigated for a crime but have not yet been charged. An attorney will allow you to have a free consultation to discuss your case and can even potentially prevent charges from being filed against you. In many cases, the police will ask you questions that you may answer honestly to assert your innocence, but anything you say can be used against you. As a result, charges can be formally filed against you for the crime.

Fighting a DUI in Lower Merion Township

One of the most common crimes that people in the Lower Merion Township area face is driving under the influence (DUI). However, individuals who have been charged with this offense often don’t even have to deal with the system. Penalties can be wide-ranging if you are convicted, but it’s certainly stressful when you don’t know what might happen.

Overall, fighting a DUI charge can be complicated, but a skilled criminal defense attorney who knows this area of the law can thoroughly examine all the evidence to ensure that you get a good defense case. The attorney will check any tests to determine whether there were any mistakes or inaccuracies, which can work in your favor. They will also request and view the footage of your traffic stop to ensure that your rights were not violated and that the arresting officer had probable cause to make the stop in the first place.

Lower Merion Township Traffic Violations

Getting a ticket for speeding or for failing to yield to traffic may not seem like much, but it can work against you in the long run. You should fight a ticket for the following reasons:

• Skyrocketing auto insurance premiums
• Points against your driver’s license that can result in a possible suspension
• Paying a ticket generally means you are pleading guilty to the violation in question

If you receive a traffic ticket, you should consult with an attorney to fight back. Most people at least care about their insurance premiums increasing.

Do you or a loved one have an upcoming court date in Montgomery County Magisterial District Court? If so, we understand if you feel overwhelmed and anxious about what will happen when your court date arrives, which is why we welcome the opportunity to stand by your side in court. If you are facing charges for a traffic violation or criminal offense, then a reputable law firm, such as Amato Sanita Law Offices, can help you achieve the best outcome with expert legal guidance.

If you have received a notification to appear in Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-06, you will appear before Magisterial District Judge, Henry Schireson. Many individuals receive a summons to appear before Judge Schireson for traffic citations, preliminary arraignments, preliminary hearings, non-jury trials, or bench warrants.

Magisterial District Court 38-1-06 is in Narberth and covers the following Lower Merion Township’s voting districts:

• 1-1
• 1-2
• 1-3
• 2-1
• 2-2
• 2-3
• 3-2
• 3-3
• 6-1
• 6-2
• 6-3
• 10-3
• 11-2
• 11-2B
• 11-3

Magisterial District Court 38-1-06 is a minor court that handles traffic and non-traffic violations. All preliminary arraignments and preliminary hearings for criminal cases, civil cases, and landlord/tenant disputes up to $12,000 are handled by the Montgomery County Magisterial District Courts.

Information Regarding Montgomery County Magisterial District Courts
Montgomery County Magisterial District Courts handle all summary offenses, which is the least serious offense level in Pennsylvania. Some of these offenses include harassment, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, driving with a suspended license, underage drinking, and retail theft (first offense) of valuables under $150.

The Magisterial District Courts in Pennsylvania are presided over by magisterial judges who have the authority to perform marriages and administer oaths. Montgomery County has 30 Magisterial District Courts, which are where all criminal cases begin. Misdemeanor and felony offenses start with preliminary arraignments and preliminary hearings. Once individuals facing these type of offenses complete their preliminary arraignment and preliminary hearing, they will proceed to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.

The Benefits of Having a Skilled Lawyer at Your Side in a Montgomery County Courtroom
While some individuals may think that minor offenses, such as traffic violations, can be handled without an attorney, a summary offense conviction can lead to 90 days in jail and fines up to $300. If you have a prior conviction, then the consequences of a summary offense conviction can result in up to 180 days in jail.

Some Montgomery County residents may think that pleading guilty to a summary offense will put the entire ordeal behind them, but without the help of an experienced attorney, individuals are not presented with the best legal course of action. If you are convicted of a summary offense, then not only could you end up behind bars, you also put yourself at risk for losing your job and being burdened with a criminal record.

At Amato Sanita Law Offices, we are dedicated legal experts who work diligently to provide each client with the best solution. For instance, if you are facing a summary offense for driving with a suspended license, our attorneys may be able to help prove that you were driving because of an emergency. In addition, you may not have been properly notified that your license was suspended. Our skilled legal professionals understand how to navigate through Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court proceedings. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, we may be able to help you get the charges lessened or dismissed. Contact us today so that we can examine the circumstances surrounding your case and provide you with the most effective solution.