Criminal Defense / DUI
There are two kinds of court cases: civil and criminal. While both are significant to the parties involved and both may have serious consequences, criminal cases can have a negative effect on the reputation, relationships and basic freedoms of the accused. Any criminal matter is a serious matter that requires immediate help from a competent, aggressive attorney. At Stampone Law, we are prepared to vigorously defend you while offering a non-judgmental, professional environment. If you have been – or believe you may be – charged with a crime, contact us now for a consultation. Criminal matters require swift action and can carry very serious consequences. We can help you protect your rights and minimize the damage that criminal charges can bring.
Types of Crimes: Felonies and Misdemeanors
Crimes are classified as felonies or misdemeanors depending on the types of punishment an accused individual may face. Generally, if the law provides for imprisonment of more than one year, the crime will be classified as a felony. A crime is typically considered a misdemeanor when possible jail time totals one year or less. Some crimes can be either felonies or misdemeanors depending on the sentence that the government’s lawyer, who is known as the prosecutor or district attorney, seeks. If you are convicted of a crime, you could be required to pay a fine, serve probation, perform community service, or be sentenced to a prison term. A judge might also order some combination of these consequences depending on the situation.
At Stampone Law, we can help you with criminal charges such as assault and battery; computer crimes; disorderly conduct; drug crimes; DUI/DWI; insurance fraud; tax evasion and theft. If you are facing criminal charges, a qualified attorney from Stampone Law will strive to secure the most desirable outcome for you. You should know that having a knowledgeable lawyer on your side could mean the difference between a prison term and dropped charges.
The Criminal Process: Protecting Your Rights
A person’s initial experience with the criminal justice system usually begins with his or her arrest. Whenever someone is taken into police custody, whether handcuffed or otherwise physically restrained or not, that person has been placed under arrest. Anyone who is arrested has certain Constitutional rights that the police are not supposed to violate. For example, all citizens have the right to remain silent and the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. If an accused is able to show that the police violated one of these Constitutional rights, a judge could decide that the arrest was unlawful and dismiss the case.
Following arrest, the first courtroom appearances a defendant will make is at his or her arraignment/preliminary hearing. These are the stages of the proceedings where bail is determined and the accused is given the opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty. It is imperative that an attorney is present to help you make the right decisions.
Most criminal cases conclude with a plea bargain. The lawyers at Stampone Law can help you decide whether to strike such a deal. When the prosecution and the defense agree to a plea bargain, the defendant will typically plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced penalty and/or the dismissal of additional charges.
If your case proceeds to trial, you will have an opportunity to try to refute the prosecutor’s evidence and present your side of the story. The trial process includes critical stages such as jury selection, witness testimony, cross-examination and closing arguments. At trial, one of our skilled attorneys can help you present your case in the best possible way. It is crucial that you obtain only a knowledgeable, aggressive lawyer to handle your defense.
If You Are Charged With DUI or DWI
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) carries stiff penalties, including license suspension and in some cases imprisonment. Also known as “driving while intoxicated” (DWI), DUI is illegal in every state. In Pennsylvania, a driver is considered intoxicated if his or her blood alcohol content reaches or exceeds .08 percent. If a driver under the age of 21 is found to have any alcohol in his or her system, the driver will be considered intoxicated. This is known as a “zero tolerance” law. You should also know that Pennsylvania takes a “zero tolerance” approach to driving with any measurable amount of drugs –legal or illegal – in your system. In many jurisdictions, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) programs exist for first time offenders. After successful completion of the program, many jurisdictions will expunge your arrest record. Such procedures will require the attention of an experienced attorney.
While they may seem simple, DUI cases can involve many complex issues, such as the legality of a traffic stop, the validity of chemical testing (a breathalyzer or blood test, for example), refusal to submit to chemical testing and what will happen if you are required to drive as part of your job. If you are charged with impaired driving, you should not assume that you are guilty. Immediately contact Stampone Law to protect your driving privileges.
Our Role in Your Criminal Matter
From arraignment to plea bargaining to defending you at trial, our experienced attorneys are ready to help you resolve your legal troubles and get on with your life. The lawyers of Stampone Law will listen to your concerns and work with you to decide how to handle your case. Whatever the strategy we as a team decide to employ, we will strive to provide a vigorous, effective defense. If you or a loved one has a question about a criminal matter, or need our help, please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance. We are here for you, every step of the way.