Criminal Defense
- Your Legal Rights
- Criminal Defense FAQs
- Civil Rights Violations/Police Brutality
- College Crimes
- Drug Crimes
- Drug Crimes FAQs
- When Does Drug Possession Become Drug Trafficking?
- Defenses to Drug Trafficking In Pennsylvania
- Conspiracy To Traffic Drugs
- Cocaine Crimes
- Drug Paraphernalia Charges
- Drug Possession Charges
- Heroin Crimes
- Intent To Deliver Charges
- Marijuana Crimes
- MDMA
- Meth Crimes
- Prescription Drug Crimes
- Fentanyl Drug Crime
- Student Drug Charges
- DUI/DWI/Impaired Driving Crimes
- DUI Basics
- Defending DUI cases
- First-Offense Penalties
- Penalties For Multiple DUI Convictions In Pennsylvania
- Driving Under The Influence Of Marijuana
- Driving Under The Influence Of Prescription Drugs
- Aggravated Assault While DUI
- Vehicular Homicide Via DUI
- Leaving The Scene Of An Accident
- State Of DUI Law After Birchfield
- Federal Crimes
- Computer And Internet Fraud
- Federal Drug Trafficking
- Federal Sex Offenses
- Federal Conspiracy
- White collar crimes
- Arrest, Indictment And Arraignment
- Gun Possession And Federal Drug Crimes
- Federal Tax Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Insider Trading
- Federal Sentencing Guidelines
- Federal Government Investigations
- Federal Crimes FAQs
- Federal Crimes Versus State Crimes
- Felony Charges
- Juvenile Crimes
- Pennsylvania Criminal Law Information
- Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (A.R.D.)
- Arrest Warrants
- Chester County Common Pleas Judges
- Chester County District Justices
- Federal Grand Jury
- Helpful Links
- Indicting Grand Juries
- Mandatory Sentencing Laws
- Montgomery County District Justices
- Pennsylvania Courts
- Preliminary Hearings
- Preliminary Arraignment
- Post-Conviction Related Issues
- Professional License Defense
- Representation Of Public Officials & Grand Jury Investigations
- Sex Crimes
- Sex Crimes FAQs
- What Constitutes A Sexual Offense?
- When Should I Call A Lawyer For A Sex Crime
- How To Avoid Conviction For A Sex Crime
- Sexual Assault
- Statutory Sexual Assault
- Indecent Assault
- Title IX Sexual Assault Defense
- Aggravated Indecent Assault
- Rape
- Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (IDSI)
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution
- Internet Sex Crimes
- Child Pornography
- False Allegations Of Child Sex Abuse
- Sex Crimes Against Minors
- Solicitation Of A Minor
- Corruption Of Minors
- Child Endangerment
- Children Youth And Families Investigations (CYS Investigations)
- Megan’s Law
- Statutory Rape
- Sex Crimes Involving Teachers
- Sex Crimes Trials
- Sexually Violent Predator Hearings
- Theft Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- Aggravated Assault Of An Unborn Child
- Pennsylvania Law On Self-Defense
- Domestic Violence Charges
- Protection from Abuse (PFA)
- Restraining Order Violations
- Murder
- What’s The Difference Between First- And Second-Degree Murder?
- First-Degree Murder
- Second-Degree Murder
- Third-Degree Murder
- Attempted Murder
- Manslaughter
- Terroristic Threats
- Weapons & Firearm Charges
- Kidnapping
- Communities Served
Civil Litigation
Personal Injury
- Personal Injury FAQs
- Auto Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Car Accidents Involving Uninsured Drivers
- Drunk Driving Accidents/Dram Shop Liability
- Hit-And-Runs
- Medical Malpractice
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Slip-And-Fall Injuries
- Texting and Distracted Drivers
- Victims Of Crimes
- Victims Of Crimes FAQs
- What Are Crime Victim Rights in Pennsylvania
- What is the Crime Victims Compensation Fund/Program?
- How Does Crime Victims Compensation Work in Pennsylvania?
- Civil Claims For Crime Victims
- Can I Sue For Sexual Assault or Rape in Pennsylvania?
- Sex Assault Victims
- Victims Of Child Sexual Abuse
- Victims Of Day Care And Foster Care Mistreatment
- Victims Of School Bullying
- Victims Of Title IX Sexual Assault
- Can I Sue My Employer For Being Assaulted at Work?
- Workplace Violence
- Victims Of Crime Due To Negligent Security
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Victims of Crime
- Victims Of Crimes FAQs
- What is the Crime Victims Compensation Fund/Program?
- How Does Crime Victims Compensation Work in Pennsylvania?
- Civil Claims For Crime Victims
- Can I Sue For Sexual Assault or Rape in Pennsylvania?
- Sex Assault Victims
- Victims Of Child Sexual Abuse
- Victims Of Day Care And Foster Care Mistreatment
- Victims Of School Bullying
- Victims Of Title IX Sexual Assault
- Can I Sue My Employer For Being Assaulted at Work?
- Workplace Violence
- Victims Of Crime Due To Negligent Security
Professional License Defense
Communities Served
Pennsylvania Criminal Law Information
The Criminal Process: What To Expect
The criminal process can be a very scary and intimidating ordeal for those facing charges. It generally begins with an arrest. The arrest can occur because the police allegedly saw you commit a crime or because they secured an arrest warrant. Anyone facing criminal charges or a police investigation should retain an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney.
Once arrested, you will either be brought in for a preliminary arraignment and placed on bail, or you will be let go and the charges will be mailed to you via a criminal summons.
After the preliminary arraignment, a preliminary hearing is scheduled. During this hearing, a District Justice will decide whether there is enough evidence to hand you over to the Court of Common Pleas for a trial.
Occasionally, in serious or complex cases, you won’t receive a preliminary hearing. Instead, the case will be reviewed or investigated by an indicting grand jury (or, in federal cases, a federal grand jury). In the case of an indicting grand jury, a panel of jurors will be brought in to hear the accusations against you in a secret court. If the grand jury decides there is probable cause that you committed a crime, you’ll be charged and your case will be sent to the Court of Common Pleas or Federal Court.
Understanding Your Options
After the criminal process begins, you should consult with your attorney about whether you’re eligible for diversion programs such as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition ( A.R.D.). Your attorney can also let you know if your case is subject to mandatory minimum sentencing. Mandatory sentencing laws frequently call for state prison sentences, whereas the ARD program gives you the opportunity to have the charges withdrawn.
Regardless of the charges you may be facing, take the time to read up on the District Justices and Judges who handle cases in Chester and Montgomery Counties:
Criminal Defense
- Your Legal Rights
- Criminal Defense FAQs
- Civil Rights Violations/Police Brutality
- College Crimes
- Drug Crimes
- Drug Crimes FAQs
- When Does Drug Possession Become Drug Trafficking?
- Defenses to Drug Trafficking In Pennsylvania
- Conspiracy To Traffic Drugs
- Cocaine Crimes
- Drug Paraphernalia Charges
- Drug Possession Charges
- Heroin Crimes
- Intent To Deliver Charges
- Marijuana Crimes
- MDMA
- Meth Crimes
- Prescription Drug Crimes
- Fentanyl Drug Crime
- Student Drug Charges
- DUI/DWI/Impaired Driving Crimes
- DUI Basics
- Defending DUI cases
- First-Offense Penalties
- Penalties For Multiple DUI Convictions In Pennsylvania
- Driving Under The Influence Of Marijuana
- Driving Under The Influence Of Prescription Drugs
- Aggravated Assault While DUI
- Vehicular Homicide Via DUI
- Leaving The Scene Of An Accident
- State Of DUI Law After Birchfield
- Federal Crimes
- Computer And Internet Fraud
- Federal Drug Trafficking
- Federal Sex Offenses
- Federal Conspiracy
- White collar crimes
- Arrest, Indictment And Arraignment
- Gun Possession And Federal Drug Crimes
- Federal Tax Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Insider Trading
- Federal Sentencing Guidelines
- Federal Government Investigations
- Federal Crimes FAQs
- Federal Crimes Versus State Crimes
- Felony Charges
- Juvenile Crimes
- Pennsylvania Criminal Law Information
- Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (A.R.D.)
- Arrest Warrants
- Chester County Common Pleas Judges
- Chester County District Justices
- Federal Grand Jury
- Helpful Links
- Indicting Grand Juries
- Mandatory Sentencing Laws
- Montgomery County District Justices
- Pennsylvania Courts
- Preliminary Hearings
- Preliminary Arraignment
- Post-Conviction Related Issues
- Professional License Defense
- Representation Of Public Officials & Grand Jury Investigations
- Sex Crimes
- Sex Crimes FAQs
- What Constitutes A Sexual Offense?
- When Should I Call A Lawyer For A Sex Crime
- How To Avoid Conviction For A Sex Crime
- Sexual Assault
- Statutory Sexual Assault
- Indecent Assault
- Title IX Sexual Assault Defense
- Aggravated Indecent Assault
- Rape
- Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (IDSI)
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution
- Internet Sex Crimes
- Child Pornography
- False Allegations Of Child Sex Abuse
- Sex Crimes Against Minors
- Solicitation Of A Minor
- Corruption Of Minors
- Child Endangerment
- Children Youth And Families Investigations (CYS Investigations)
- Megan’s Law
- Statutory Rape
- Sex Crimes Involving Teachers
- Sex Crimes Trials
- Sexually Violent Predator Hearings
- Theft Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- Aggravated Assault Of An Unborn Child
- Pennsylvania Law On Self-Defense
- Domestic Violence Charges
- Protection from Abuse (PFA)
- Restraining Order Violations
- Murder
- What’s The Difference Between First- And Second-Degree Murder?
- First-Degree Murder
- Second-Degree Murder
- Third-Degree Murder
- Attempted Murder
- Manslaughter
- Terroristic Threats
- Weapons & Firearm Charges
- Kidnapping
- Communities Served
Civil Litigation
Personal Injury
- Personal Injury FAQs
- Auto Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Car Accidents Involving Uninsured Drivers
- Drunk Driving Accidents/Dram Shop Liability
- Hit-And-Runs
- Medical Malpractice
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Slip-And-Fall Injuries
- Texting and Distracted Drivers
- Victims Of Crimes
- Victims Of Crimes FAQs
- What Are Crime Victim Rights in Pennsylvania
- What is the Crime Victims Compensation Fund/Program?
- How Does Crime Victims Compensation Work in Pennsylvania?
- Civil Claims For Crime Victims
- Can I Sue For Sexual Assault or Rape in Pennsylvania?
- Sex Assault Victims
- Victims Of Child Sexual Abuse
- Victims Of Day Care And Foster Care Mistreatment
- Victims Of School Bullying
- Victims Of Title IX Sexual Assault
- Can I Sue My Employer For Being Assaulted at Work?
- Workplace Violence
- Victims Of Crime Due To Negligent Security
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Victims of Crime
- Victims Of Crimes FAQs
- What is the Crime Victims Compensation Fund/Program?
- How Does Crime Victims Compensation Work in Pennsylvania?
- Civil Claims For Crime Victims
- Can I Sue For Sexual Assault or Rape in Pennsylvania?
- Sex Assault Victims
- Victims Of Child Sexual Abuse
- Victims Of Day Care And Foster Care Mistreatment
- Victims Of School Bullying
- Victims Of Title IX Sexual Assault
- Can I Sue My Employer For Being Assaulted at Work?
- Workplace Violence
- Victims Of Crime Due To Negligent Security
Professional License Defense
Communities Served