Glassport PFA Lawyer
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.
PFA and Child Custody
In Pennsylvania, courts often give a PFA plaintiff sole custody over the parties’ children until the PFA hearing. This can be devastating to a PFA defendant, who may go weeks having limited or no contact with his or her kids.
The parties’ attorneys may negotiate a child custody arrangement as part of a court order. Thus, it is important that your PFA lawyer have experience handling child custody matters to get you the most possible time with your kids.
At Spivak Law Firm, we work hard to ensure that our PFA clients get substantial time with their children as soon as possible. We handle all family law matters, including: child custody, child support, spousal support, divorce, and PFA. For a free consultation, call us 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.
Falsely Accused of Abuse?
Q: I have been falsely accused of abuse – can you help me?
A: Yes. The PFA system itself is sometimes abused. People may seek a PFA just to gain leverage in a divorce or child custody matter. As a result, innocent people suffer.
If you have been served with a PFA, your hearing may be less than 10 days away.
Spivak Law Firm provides aggressive representation at PFA hearings. We strongly defends people against accusations of domestic violence or child abuse. If you have been accused of abuse, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 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.
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.
No Guns for Domestic Abusers
If you have been charged with a domestic violence related crime, your gun ownership rights may be at stake.
Under federal law, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic abuse, you are banned from purchasing or owning firearms or ammunition. The law aims to protect victims of domestic abuse by keeping guns out of the hands of convicted abusers.
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court expanded the applicability of this law in Voisine v. United States. The Court ruled that the law applies not only to individuals who intentionally committed domestic abuse, but also to individuals who did so recklessly.
If you have been charged with assault, harassment, terroristic threats, or any other domestic violence related crime, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Keep Your Cool in Criminal Court
Tensions run high in criminal court. You are likely worried about how the pending charges will affect your job, reputation, and most importantly, your freedom. But you must stay calm in court.
Trust that your attorney is working to obtain the best deal possible to resolve your case. Having a bad attitude or making snide remarks to the court staff or judge could result in your deal being withdrawn or unaccepted.
Don’t risk the chance to resolve your case. Be on your best behavior in court.
To speak with an experienced attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Theft Crimes in Pennsylvania
Penalties for theft crimes in Pennsylvania can be severe. The penalty is based on the value of the stolen property. A first offense for stolen property valued at less than $150 is punishable by up to 90 days in jail, though many first-time offenders serve probation only. Theft of property valued between $150 and $2,000 is punishable by up to five years in prison.
With an experienced attorney, you may be able to participate in an accelerated rehabilitative disposition (ARD) program that allows you to avoid incarceration so long as you pay a fine and complete your probation, which often includes a provision restricting you from entering the business where the theft occurred.
For a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.