Pittsburgh Summary Trials Lawyers
If you are criminally charged with a summary offense, you have the option of pleading not guilty and requesting a summary trial before your local magistrate. Under Pennsylvania law, there is no right to a jury trial for a summary offense because the maximum punishment for a conviction is just 90 days in jail.
At a summary trial, the arresting police officer will present evidence to the magistrate in the form of direct testimony. Your attorney will then have the opportunity to cross-examine the police officer and call witnesses. There is no prosecutor or district attorney assigned in a summary trial.
If you are charged with a summary offense, call Spivak Law Firm for a free consultation at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Summary Offenses and Criminal Records
A summary offense is the lowest level criminal offense under Pennsylvania law. Typical summary offenses include harassment, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, underage drinking, speeding tickets, and retail theft.
At Spivak Law Firm, we recommend contesting the summary offense. If you have no criminal record, the magistrate may be willing to throw out the case or offer a resolution that enables you to keep a clean record. For instance, a first-time shoplifter may be able to avoid a conviction by agreeing to take a class about the negative effects of retail theft.
Even if convicted of the summary offense, you are able to file a summary appeal and receive a new trial on the matter before a different judge.
Spivak Law Firm has helped many people avoid a criminal record by contesting summary offenses and, if necessary, filing a summary appeal. To speak with an experienced Pittsburgh summary trial lawyer, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Contact Our Pittsburgh Law Firm Today
Call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390. Our Pittsburgh office is open during normal business hours, as well as evenings and weekends by appointment.
Spivak Law Firm represents clients in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Washington County and Westmoreland County. We accept cases in Armstrong County, Clarion County, Crawford County, Fayette County, Greene County, Indiana County, Lawrence County, Mercer County, Somerset County and Venango County.