Criminal Defense

Whether you were arrested for DUI for the first time or multiple times, there are several DUI defense strategies that you may be able to employ or that an experienced DUI attorney can discuss with you.

If you are a first time DUI offender, you may be eligible to be accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program. If you were charged with resisting arrest in Pennsylvania. Understand your rights and how to fight for them.

It is important to remember that any DUI case can potentially be fought and won in court, regardless of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level at the time of arrest.

There are three main categories of crimes in Pennsylvania: Felonies, Misdemeanors and Summary Offenses.

While summary offenses are generally the most mild crimes and do not carry as harsh a penalty as felonies and misdemeanors, they should not be taken lightly. Most people receive a citation for a summary offense in the mail and decide it is easier to plead guilty, pay the fine, and move on. However, there are a number of reasons why a summary offense should be taken seriously and why pleading guilty may not be in your best interest.

Being found guilty of a summary offense can still come with some jail time, fines, and can be seen on your criminal record.

A summary offense conviction will show up on a criminal background check. If an employer asks if you have ever been found guilty of a crime, you will have to answer yes.

Any criminal background can create difficulty obtaining employment – or trouble in your current job. It can also affect admission to schools and getting approved for housing.

WHAT TYPES OF CRIMES ARE SUMMARY OFFENSES IN PENNSYLVANIA?

There are a number of crimes that fall into the category of a summary offense in Pennsylvania.

Some of the most commonly charged summary offenses include:

• Disorderly Conduct
• Public Intoxication
• Retail Theft
• Loitering
• Underage Drinking
• Criminal Trespass
• Criminal Mischief

Depending on the type of crime, and the specific circumstances and behavior in your case, the police may, or may not, decide to detain you. In most summary offense cases, the offender is simply given, or mailed, a citation.

A citation should state a brief statement of the facts and explain which law was violated and how. The citation will also give the offender directions regarding how to respond and when and where to appear in court for their hearing.

Generally, you have ten days to respond to a citation. Most people decide at this point that it is easier to plead guilty and pay the fine. However, as stated, this is an offense that will show up on your criminal record. In order to fight your summary offense charges, you have to plead not guilty and request a hearing date.

It is important to remember that a summary offense hearing is a criminal proceeding. Failure to appear at a scheduled court hearing is an additional offense, and a bench warrant could be issued for your arrest.

Alternatively, the judge could determine to move forward with your case without you present and you will be forced to deal with whatever consequences are handed down.

Pennsylvania is one of the toughest States on drivers in the U.S. with many laws, strict penalties and a large governmental bureaucracy for managing drivers, their licenses and their rights.

If you have received any traffic law violations or traffic citations, you have probably also started accumulating points on your driving record, which can lead to license suspension, not to mention increasing your insurance premiums. Simply paying the fines or accepting the consequences can lead to even bigger consequences down the road if you happen to have an accident or another traffic violation. More severe consequences could include jail time, the inability to get a student loan or a long-term license suspension.

Fortunately, there are alternatives and a legal system that is here to protect your rights and your future.

As experienced license suspension attorneys, Crosson & Richetti Law understands how the legal system works in the Lehigh Valley, and can fight for the best possible outcome for you. We put forth our best effort to win all of our cases so that you can avoid fines, penalties, license suspension and high insurance premiums. Contact us today for a pay-it-forward legal consultation and we will help you better understand your rights.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL IS TO HAVE YOUR TRAFFIC VIOLATION DISMISSED ENTIRELY.

Crosson Richetti Family Law works with clients who have received traffic citations for the following:

• Reckless Driving
• Speeding Tickets
• Traffic Violations (Red lights, stop signs)
• Driving with a suspended license
• Passing in a “no-passing zone”
• DUI
• Many other types of traffic violations

Please note: If you have received a written notice that your license will be suspended, you only have 30 days to make an appeal. Call our offices immediately for a pay-it-forward consultation and we will help you retain your right to drive.

In most criminal cases, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will dictate the law. However, some crimes are also tried under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal government. The U.S. Federal government has the ability to make arrests and claim jurisdiction in some cases. Some of the most common types of crimes that are tried by the U.S. Federal government include:

• Drug Crimes
• White Collar Crimes
• RICO Violations
• Fraud
• Insurance Fraud
• Tax Fraud
• Tax Evasion
• Forgery / Falsifying Documents 
• Certain types of Cyber Crimes
• Certain types of Internet Sex Crimes
• Internet Child Pornography
• Gun Violations
• Kidnapping
• Human Trafficking / Sex Trafficking
• Crimes Committed on Federal Property
• Bank Robbery
• Money Laundering
• Arson

Offenses that go from a state to a federal charge include:

• Offenses that cross state lines, like kidnapping, drug trafficking or internet pornography.
• Any offense in violation of a federal statute or a regulation of the executive branch.
• Offenses against federal agencies, like bomb threats and bank robberies.
• Any fraud offense that uses the U.S. Post Office, such as mail fraud.
• Tax fraud

Federal charges are much more complex than Pennsylvania charges and require a heavy amount of preparation and investigation. An aggressive and experienced federal crimes attorney is going to help you understand your charges and defend your rights against the U.S. Department of Justice.

Whether you are being charged with state charges and/or federal crime charges, Attorney Michael Daigle can help defend your rights and clear your good name. Oftentimes people under federal investigation have been so for years without having charges filed. If you suspect that you are under investigation, it is imperative that you find an experienced federal criminal attorney right away.

Remember that an arrest or criminal charge is NOT a conviction. You are innocent until proven guilty. Federal Crime Attorney Michael Daigle will personally do everything he can to fight for your rights and your freedom.

Attorney Michael Daigle is available for pay-it-forward consultations asap.

At Crosson & Richetti Family Law we understand sometimes good people get entangled in situations that spiral out of control. We are here to help you successfully battle your federal crime charges, with the goal of having your charges dropped or your sentencing reduced.