Glassport Criminal Defense Lawyer
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.
Expungements for College Students
Student loan debt is at an all-time high, which makes landing a job after graduation even more important. Unfortunately, employers running criminal background checks can further complicate the job-hunting process, making it imperative to maintain a clean criminal record.
If a night of partying leads to criminal charges being placed against you, it is important to begin the expungement process as soon as possible.
You may be eligible for an expungement if:
- The criminal charges against you were withdrawn or dismissed;
- You have been free of arrest or conviction for five years following a summary offense conviction; or
- You completed an accelerated rehabilitative disposition (ARD) program on a first-time criminal charge.
Spivak Law Firm routinely helps people of all ages clean their criminal records for employment reasons. Call us for a free consultation 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.
Expunging Summary Offenses
A criminal record may hurt your educational and employment opportunities, especially if you’re seeking jobs that require a criminal background check. Expungement refers to the removal of an arrest or conviction from your permanent criminal record.
Under Pennsylvania law, a conviction for a summary offense may be expunged after five years. If you were convicted of a summary offense more than five years ago, it may be possible to remove the conviction from your criminal record so that you can move on with your life.
At Spivak Law Firm, we routinely represent people charged with summary offenses and get their criminal records erased. To schedule a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm 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.
DUI and Expungement
Q: Can I have a DUI expunged from my record?
A: In Pennsylvania, criminal proceedings involving misdemeanor or felony charges can be expunged if (1) you were not convicted, (2) the charges were dismissed or withdrawn, or (3) you successfully completed an ARD program on a first and only charge. Thus, it may be possible to have a DUI arrest expunged from your record.
Spivak Law Firm handles expungements and strongly defends people arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, illegal drugs, or controlled substances. To speak with an experienced criminal-defense attorney, call (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.