Criminal Appeals Lawyers in Philadelphia, PA

Your federal constitutional rights apply if you're arrested in Pennsylvania — Miranda, right to remain silent, right to counsel. Phone-call rule: Reasonable phone access.

Pennsylvania assault charges: simple assault is typically 2nd-degree misdemeanor up to 2 yrs; aggravated forms can reach up to 20 yrs (1st-degree aggravated).

Pennsylvania criminal defendants have a right to appeal — but appeals are limited to legal errors preserved at trial, run on tight deadlines (often 30 days), and reverse only ~10% of cases.

Pennsylvania cyber-crime cases combine state computer-crime statutes with federal CFAA and other digital-crime laws. Federal prosecution is common for major cases.

Pennsylvania domestic violence charges combine an underlying assault/battery offense with state-specific DV enhancements. No mandatory arrest on probable cause.

Pennsylvania drug courts offer eligible defendants treatment-based alternatives to incarceration. Successful completion can result in dismissed charges or reduced sentences.

Pennsylvania drug law: cannabis is legal for medical use only.

Pennsylvania's record-clearing process is called expungement and limited access ("clean slate"). Among the most generous in the country — recent Clean Slate reforms now automatically clear many records without a petition.

Pennsylvania federal criminal charges differ from state — federal sentencing guidelines, mandatory minimums, no parole, and 90%+ conviction rates. Specialized federal-experienced counsel essential.

Pennsylvania divides offenses into felonies (more serious) and misdemeanors (less serious). 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree felonies.

Pennsylvania concealed carry: Shall-issue (License to Carry). Open carry: Legal in most areas (Philadelphia restricts). Red flag (ERPO) law: No state red-flag law.

Pennsylvania hate crime laws enhance penalties for offenses motivated by bias against protected categories: Race, color, religion, and others.