Pgh Summary Trial Lawyer
Underage Drinking In Allegheny County
Underage drinking is illegal in Pennsylvania for people under age 21. But the law provides an exception for underage drinkers who seek medical attention for another.
If an underage drinker calls the police or campus safety to report another person in need of immediate medical attention to prevent death or serious injury, then the person who made the call cannot be prosecuted for underage drinking.
The purpose of this exception is to save lives without risk of criminal prosecution.
Spivak Law Firm handles all criminal-defense matters, including: summary trials, summary appeals, preliminary hearings, and criminal-record expungements. To speak with a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Should I Talk to Police?
Police may not arrest you without probable cause. They must reasonably believe that you committed a crime.
If you are a criminal suspect, police may ask to speak with you. We advise that you politely decline and refer them to your attorney.
You might think that declining to talk to police will make you appear suspicious and even guilty. The officer may say that he just wants to ask you some questions, or he may even go so far as to threaten to recommend adding charges against if you do not cooperate.
But by talking to police, you may be building their case against you.
To speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Spivak Law Firm Frees Inmate
Thanks to Spivak Law Firm, Doug (not his real name) is a free man again.
Doug violated his probation and ended up back in Allegheny County Jail for a domestic dispute. We negotiated an agreement to dismiss the charges upon completion of anger-management counseling.
But that would take six months.
And Doug’s probation violation hearing would not even be scheduled until he completed the counseling. That means he would likely sit in jail for at least eight months until a judge would even consider his release.
Spivak Law Firm petitioned the judge to lift Doug’s detainer. At the hearing, we persuaded the judge to lift the detainer so Doug could go back to work and help raise his infant child.
Instead of waiting eight months, Doug was back at his job and seeing his baby after just three weeks.
“Thank you for helping me get a second chance,” Doug told us after his release.
Spivak Law Firm handles all criminal matters including: felony, misdemeanor and summary charges, probation violations, and criminal-record expungements. Call us today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
5 Reasons To Fight A Summary Offense
If you’re charged with a summary offense, fight it. Here’s why:
First, if the police officer doesn’t show up to the hearing, the judge will dismiss it.
Second, if you did not commit the crime, you should never plead guilty just for the sake of expediency.
Third, even if you committed the crime alleged, your attorney may be able to strike a deal. For instance, the charges may be dismissed on condition that you complete community service.
Fourth, even if you’re found guilty at the summary trial, you have the right to appeal within 30 days and get a new trial before a different judge.
Fifth, a conviction will remain on your criminal record for five years before you can even begin the process of expungement.
To speak with an experienced summary trial attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.