Brookline PFA Lawyer
Spivak Law Firm Wins More Awards
The award-winning Spivak Law Firm received multiple honors this month for providing superior legal services and client satisfaction.
The Pittsburgh-based firm handles all areas of family law and criminal defense with a special focus on Protection from Abuse (PFA) hearings and high-conflict child custody cases.
Our award-winning attorneys have helped hundreds of people accused of physical abuse, harassment, stalking, sexual abuse, child abuse, and other forms of domestic abuse.
In many cases, we get the PFA and related criminal charges dismissed then expunge our client’s records so they can fully move on with their lives.
We handle the following family law cases: divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, Children Youth and Families (CYF), and Protection From Abuse (PFA).
We routinely defend people criminally charged with: domestic violence, driving under the influence (DUI), simple assault, aggravated assault, harassment, recklessly endangering another person, stalking, disorderly conduct, retail theft and various other misdemeanors and summary offenses.
This month, Attorney Todd Spivak was honored again by American Institute of Family Law Attorneys and designated a Super Lawyer.
Attorney Rebecca Canterbury was named a Top 10 Family Law Attorney by Attorney and Practice Magazine and received a 10.0 rating on the Avvo legal directory, where clients routinely sing her praises as a strong, compassionate advocate who gets results.
To speak with an experienced family law or criminal defense attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Disorderly Conduct Penalties In Pennsylvania
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?
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
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?
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?
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:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
- Pointing a firearm at another person; and
- Failing to provide supervision for a child.
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.
Pennsylvania: License Suspension
In Pennsylvania, your license may be suspended for six months to a year depending on the offense.
Six-month license suspensions are commonly given for the following driving convictions:
- Racing on highways;
- Careless or reckless driving; and
- Driving without lights to avoid arrest.
One-year license suspensions are given for these convictions:
- DUI;
- Accidents involving death or injury;
- Aggravated assault by vehicle; and
- Felonies involving a vehicle.
If you’ve been charged with any of the offenses above, you should consult an attorney to determine the best strategy for protecting your driving privileges. For a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Drug Crimes in Allegheny County
Penalties for drug crimes can be severe.
A mandatory prison sentence is given for people convicted of selling, delivering, or distributing a controlled substance such as heroin, cocaine, or meth.
Even simple possession of marijuana may result in a jail term and driver’s license suspension.
At Spivak Law Firm, we strongly defend people accused of drug crimes and aim to get the charges against you dismissed or reduced.
If you have been arrested for a drug crime or are the target of an investigation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-3900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Arrested For Domestic Abuse?
Q: Police did not witness any physical abuse – so why was I arrested?
A: An allegation of domestic violence by itself can trigger an arrest. Police do not have to witness the incident of abuse. A police officer often makes an arrest decision based solely on the accuser’s credibility without any further investigation. If the alleged victim has any visible marks or injuries, police are likely to make an arrest.
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a special focus on domestic violence and Protection From Abuse (PFA). We handle PFA hearings and expungements, as well as criminal domestic violence charges and child custody matters. If you have been accused of violating a no-contact order, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
DUI: What Is ARD?
Q: What is ARD?
A: ARD means “accelerated rehabilitative disposition.” It is a diversion program available to some first-time DUI offenders that generally involves serving a brief license suspension, attending an alcohol education program, and receiving substance abuse counseling.
Completion of ARD results in the dismissal of DUI charges and the removal of DUI from the person’s permanent record.
Spivak Law Firm strongly defends people arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, illegal drugs, or controlled substances. To learn more, call (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.