Pgh Criminal Defense Lawyer
Expungements in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, your criminal record may be expunged if you meet certain criteria. An expungement can help you avoid the stigma associated with having a criminal record.
A criminal record can hurt your future by:
- Costing you a job opportunity;
- Denying you a bank or government loan
- Disqualifying you from receiving a professional license; and
- Restricting your ability to join certain organizations
At Spivak Law Firm, we aim to erase your criminal record so you can move on with your life. For more information, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Protect Against Online Harassment
Have you ever felt that your partner’s online behavior is out of control? Do they send constant messages that leave you feeling on-edge, use location features to track where you are, or demand to have access to your phone?
Here are some tips to protect yourself against online domestic abuse:
- Use strong, unique passwords to keep your accounts from being hacked.
- Use two-step verification to make your accounts more secure.
- Back up your data to secure and collect evidence of harassment.
- Browse the web privately so your partner cannot track your Internet history.
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a special focus on domestic violence and Protection From Abuse (PFA). Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Costs of a Criminal Record
While less serious than a felony charge, misdemeanors and summary offenses carry stigmas strong enough to cause problems beyond fines and inconvenience. If uncovered, they can cause potential school and job recruiters to look in other directions.
Programs across the country have been initiated to give first-time, non-violent offenders a chance to dodge that bullet. In Chicago, for instance, a program provides qualified offenders the opportunity to keep a charge from being permanently entered on their record and to avoid the accompanying stigma.
In Pennsylvania, people may be eligible to have their criminal records expunged or sealed.
At Spivak Law Firm, we aim to clear the arrests from your criminal record so you can move on with your life. For more information, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Governor Stops Death Penalty In Pennsylvania
Gov. Tom Wolf last month announced a moratorium on the death penalty in Pennsylvania.
Although the state has not executed a prisoner since 1999, there are currently 186 death-row inmates in Pennsylvania, including nine from the Pittsburgh area. Terrance Williams, who was convicted of murder and scheduled for execution by lethal injection this week, has been issued a reprieve.
Associations of Pennsylvania district attorneys and state troopers criticized the move, which Gov. Wolf says was necessary to review the “fundamental fairness” of capital punishment administered by the state. Specifically, the governor cited death-row inmates later exonerated and disproportionate sentencing of African Americans as evidence that the system is flawed.
Pennsylvania may eventually join 18 other states that have ended the death penalty.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, aggressive defense in all criminal matters. Charged with a crime? Call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Summary Offenses Can Carry Stiff Penalties
Although a summary offense is low-level crime, you should seriously consider retaining an experienced criminal defense attorney to fight the charge because a conviction can have long-lasting adverse effects.
Summary offenses may carry stiff penalties, including fines and up to 90 days in jail. Additionally, you cannot even begin the process of expunging a summary offense from your criminal record for five years.
To speak with an experienced summary trial and criminal defense lawyer, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.