Spivak Law Firm

Based in Pittsburgh, PA

412-344-4900

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Criminal Defense

What is an expungement?

Posted on May 7 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Expungement refers to the legal process for erasing a person’s criminal record. Under Pennsylvania law, the term “expunge” means as follows:

-To remove information so that there is no trace or indication that such information existed;

-To eliminate all identifiers that may be used to trace the identity of an individual, allowing remaining data to be used for statistical purposes; or

-Maintenance of certain information required or authorized when an individual has successfully completed the conditions of any pre-trial or post-trial diversion or probation program.

Spivak Law Firm helps people expunge their criminal records so they can move on with their lives. To speak with an experienced criminal expungement attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Protecting LGBTQ Pennsylvanians

Posted on April 30 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Spivak Law Firm supports efforts to enact a federal Equality Act, providing civil-rights protections for LGBTQ communities throughout the United States.

Pennsylvania lags behind many other states in ensuring basic protections for LGBTQ residents.

For instance, there are no statewide non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians, exposing thousands of people to termination from their jobs or eviction from their homes merely for identifying as LGBTQ.

Based in Pittsburgh, Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all family-law and criminal-defense matters. To schedule a consultation, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

PFA Orders and Police Officers

Posted on April 17 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Pittsburgh police must keep statistics for officers involved in criminal domestic violence incidents and Protection From Abuse (Orders).

The mere accusation of abuse against a law-enforcement official can be devastating.

PFA Orders frequently restrict defendants from possessing firearms. Because police officers are required to possess a firearm as part of their job, a PFA may result in suspension or even termination.

Spivak Law Firm has successfully defended police officers at the federal, state, and local levels against accusations of abuse. For a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Summary Offenses and Expungements

Posted on April 17 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Summary offenses are low-level criminal offenses. They include public intoxication, disorderly conduct, public urination, harassment, and cruelty to animals.

If you’re charged with a summary offense, we recommend contesting the charges by pleading ‘not guilty’ and hiring Spivak Law Firm to represent you in court.

We have helped many people charged with summary offenses, then successfully expunged, or erased, the charges from their criminal records.

At Spivak Law Firm, we do not judge our clients. We provide strong, aggressive representation to help them move on with their lives.

Call us today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

PFA Orders Restrict All Contact

Posted on April 9 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

If you’re served with a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order, take it seriously. A PFA can evict you from your home and restrict you from your child. If you’re even accused of violating the order, you may face criminal charges and spend a night or two in jail.

At Spivak Law Firm, we’ve helped hundreds of people facing allegations of domestic abuse. If you’re served with a PFA, we urge you to follow the order by having no contact with the person who obtained the PFA against you. Even friendly communication could lead to criminal charges.

Do not call, text, or email your accuser. Do not contact your accuser via social media. If you see your accuser in public while the PFA remains active, leave the area immediately. Direct family members and friends that they cannot intervene on your behalf to mediate the dispute. Otherwise, you may be arrested based on third-party contact.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, aggressive representation at PFA hearings in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland. For a free consultation with an experienced PFA attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Disorderly Conduct Penalties In Pennsylvania

Posted on April 9 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Disorderly conduct is generally charged as a summary offense, though it may be graded as a more serious third-degree misdemeanor under certain conditions in Pennsylvania.

Disorderly conduct is a third-degree misdemeanor when:

  • The defendant intends to cause “substantial” harm;
  • The defendant intends to cause “serious” inconvenience; or
  • The defendant “persists” in disorderly conduct after reasonable warning to stop.

Penalties for a summary offense include a maximum of 90 days in jail, whereas penalties for a third-degree misdemeanor offense include a maximum of one year in jail.

Under Pennslylvania law, only summary offenses can be expunged after five years, though third-degree misdemeanors may be eligible for sealing after 10 years.

To speak with an experienced criminal defense and expungement attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Charged With Simple Assault?

Posted on March 26 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Under Pennsylvania law, you may be criminally charged with simple assault not only for hitting somebody. You may also face simple assault charges merely for scaring them.

Simple assault is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in jail. It’s a charge commonly brought by police when there are allegations of domestic violence.

If you’re accused of getting into a bar fight, you’ll likely be charged with simple assault.

If you’re accused of hitting your spouse, you’ll likely be charged with simple assault.

The law additionally provides that a person is guilty of simple assault for attempting to put a person “in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.”

Thus, threatening a person with a weapon may result in simple assault charges even if there was no physical harm.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, aggressive defense in all criminal matters. For a free consultation, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day From Spivak Law Firm

Posted on March 17 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

St. Patrick’s Day is a great time to enjoy family and friends. The parade in downtown Pittsburgh is one of the largest in the entire country. Bars on the Southside, Oakland, Lawrenceville and across the city offer drink deals to attract patrons out having fun.

Unfortunately, the night does not end well for everybody.

Each year, Spivak Law Firm helps people who face legal problems related to their behavior on St. Patrick’s Day.

We have successfully represented people facing criminal charges such as: public intoxication, disorderly conduct, public urination, underage drinking, simple assault, and drunk driving.

We have helped hundreds of people facing allegations of criminal domestic-violence and Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders.

At Spivak Law Firm, we handle all matters involving criminal defense and family law.

We wish everybody a happy, safe time on St. Patrick’s Day. But if you or a family member or friend needs legal help, we encourage you to call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

What Is Disorderly Conduct?

Posted on March 17 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Under Pennsylvania law, disorderly conduct is a criminal charge defined broadly as causing a public inconvenience. Disorderly conduct may involve:

  • People fighting or threatening one another (like in a bar fight);
  • Being too noisy (like neighbors having a loud party); or
  • Using obscene language or making an obscene gesture;

As you can see, disorderly conduct covers a wide range of activities. The law includes an additional provision stating that disorderly conduct may involve creating a hazardous condition “by any act which serves no legitimate purpose.”

Disorderly conduct is generally charged as a summary offense, though it may be graded as a more serious third-degree misdemeanor under certain conditions.

To speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Charged with REAP?

Posted on March 5 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Pennsylvania defines the crime of recklessly endangering another person (REAP) as a person recklessly engaging in conduct, which places or may place another person in danger of death or serious bodily injury.

That’s right, you may be charged with REAP even if the alleged victim was not hurt. Common instances include:

REAP is a second-degree misdemeanor, which carries up to two years in prison and a maximum $5,000 fine.

To speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.