Pittsburgh Criminal Defense and Injury Lawyer

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Once Again, #KennyChesney fans trash #Pittsburgh and Leave Town

Once again, Kenny Chesney leaves his mark on Pittsburgh.

On July 2, 2016, Kenny Chesney rolled into Pittsburgh and makes his presence known with local police when concert attendees were arrested for disorderly conduct, robbery, underage drinking, public intoxication, dui, fake id, public urination, assault and a host of other crimes.

When attendees were not being arrested or cited for a crime, they were being sent to the hospital for alcohol related crimes or busy trashing the city. According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the show ended, "a reeking, hulking mass of garbage leftover from the day’s earlier festivities began to appear behind the exodus of country music fans." The paper describes a scene wherein people held shirts up to their face to avoid the stench as fluid from portable toilets flooded the streets.

People faced with criminal charges will face maximum penalties, which include jail time, fines and permanent criminal records.

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Sentencing Alternatives: The State Intermediate Punishment Program

If you have been convicted of a crime in which substance abuse was a contributing factor, the State Intermediate Punishment Program (SIP) may be offered as an alternative to a state prison sentence. SIP is a program designed for offenders convicted of drug-related offenses. Those sentenced to an SIP sentence receive a flat 2 year sentence that may potentially be followed by a term of probation.

SIP is a 24 month program. 7 months must be served in prison, and 4 of those 7 months must be spent in a therapeutic community. Afterwards, a minimum of two months is served in a community-based therapeutic community, and then a minimum of six months in outpatient treatment, where the offender will usually be housed in a halfway house. Any time left remaining after these phases is served on supervised reintegration into the community. During that time DOC staff will monitor their progress in the community and offer additional services or treatment plans tailored to their individual needs. Each offender in SIP has a personalized treatment plan to help them address their substance abuse issues.

The choice of whether to pursue participation in the SIP program is both a personal one as well as strategic. SIP is an excellent program to help offenders who have failed at other forms of inpatient treatment to finally kick their addiction issues. An SIP sentence may be a shorter alternative to a lengthy state prison sentence. However, failure to complete SIP has repercussions. A defendant does not automatically receive credit for time served under an SIP sentence, so upon revocation much of the defendant’s time served under the SIP sentence may not be credited towards any sentence received upon re-sentencing. Also, depending on the nature of the offense SIP is offered as a sentencing alternative for, the SIP sentence may be longer, or shorter than the standard range sentence the judge may have been contemplating in the offender's case.

If you have been accused of a crime where drugs and/or alcohol were a contributing factor or are facing a parole or probation revocation in which they are, it is important that you know what the SIP program entails as it may be a viable sentencing alternative for you. Attorney Frank Walker knows the ins and outs of the SIP program and can counsel you on the pros and cons of pursuing the program. Call Frank Walker Law today at 412-315-7441 for a consultation.

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Sentencing Alternatives: State Motivational Bootcamp

Pennsylvania offers sentencing alternatives to state confinement to address issues of recidivism, prison overcrowding, and crimes motivated by drug abuse by the offender. One of these sentencing alternatives is the State Intermediate Punishment Program (SIP) which is discussed in another post. The one I want to talk about in this post is the State Motivational Bootcamp at Quehanna. The Bootcamp program is a six month program for both men and women offenders that entails intense physical activity and regimented programming designed to teach offenders self-discipline and work ethic. The Boot Camp is styled after a military style boot camp so there is a focus on discipline, structure, and respect for others.

Inmates assigned to the boot camp program are sent to either SCI Camp Hill or SCI- Muncy as their designated diagnostic center where they will take a battery of strength tests. The offenders time in boot camp is highly regimented and includes individual and group counseling sessions tailored to the offender's individual needs. Programming includes sessions related to addressing substance abuse issues and alternatives to violent and antisocial behavior. The Boot Camp has a mandatory education program for those without a high school diploma to aid offenders in obtaining their GED. Inmates also work on community service projects such as planting trees, painting buildings, and cleaning up area parks.

In order to be eligible for admission to the boot camp program, the offender must be sentenced to state confinement, the minimum of which is not more than two years and the maximum of which is five years or less. Or, the offender must be serving a sentence the minimum of which is not more than three years and the inmate must be within two years of their minimum release date. Eligible participants must be under the age of 35 at the time they are approved for boot camp. They must also not be serving a sentence for Murder, Voluntary Manslaughter, Rape, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Kidnapping, or Felony One Robbery. Additionally, the offender must also not be serving a sentence in which a deadly weapon was used in the commission of the offense.

Approval for the boot camp program is influenced by the discretion of the prosecuting attorney and the sentencing judge. It is important for offenders wishing to pursue these programs to address the issue sufficiently ahead of sentencing to prepare their case for admission to the program. That’s where an experienced attorney with excellent working relationships can give you a leg up. Attorney Frank Walker has experience helping those facing state prison sentences obtain admission into alternative programs including the Quehanna Bootcamp and State Intermediate Punishment. Call our office at 412-315-7441 to set up an appointment and find out more.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Media Shots from Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer Frank Walker of #FrankWalkerLaw

Photos of Pittsburgh & Morgantown Criminal Defense Lawyer Frank Walker of http://www.FrankWalkerLaw.com

Friday, February 14, 2014

Turtle Creek DUI Lawyer

New video ad focusing on the need for services of a DUI Lawyer in the Turtle Creek, East Pittsburgh area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Listen in to see how an experienced DUI Lawyer can assist your DUI related charges, such as DUI, underage drinking, reckless driving, hit and run and much more.

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Oakland, Pa Public Urination Lawyer

New video highlighting the need for a criminal defense lawyer in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh regarding citations for Public Urination.

Don't plead guilty! Remain silent and contact our law firm immediately!

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Turtle Creek Criminal Defense Lawyer

New video addressing the needs for a Criminal Defense Attorney in the Turtle Creek, East Pittsburgh area of Pittsburgh.

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Station Square Disorderly Conduct Citation

New video addressing disorderly conduct citation in station square Pittsburgh.

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Friday, January 31, 2014

Heroin Happy Meal Deals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

A Pittsburgh woman faces criminal charges for drug possession and possessionwith intent to deliver when local authorities busted her apparent heroin drug operation at the least likely location: a McDonalds drive thru window.

According to the AP:

A McDonald's employee has been jailed on charges she sold heroin hidden in Happy Meals to drive-thru customers who uttered the code words, "I'd like to order a toy," but investigators have no reason to believe the store's owner was aware of it, or of another employee charged with selling heroin near another restaurant . . .

. . . Using information from a tip to a district attorney's drug task force, an informant accompanied by a police officer called the Defendant on Wednesday, then pulled into the drive-thru and ordered the toy. They paid the Defendant $82 for the $2 meal which also contained 10 stamp bags — or individual doses — of heroin, according to a criminal complaint.

Other officers then moved in and found the money used to buy the drugs, plus another $80 and a small amount of marijuana stored in Defendant’s bra, the complaint said. Police said they later found another 50 stamp bags of heroin in her purse.

The Defendant faces maximum penalties and fines in Pennsylvania and may even face potential mandatory sentencing depending on the weight of the drugs. At the time of this posting, no criminal defense attorney was listed as counsel of record for the Defendant.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Jury returns $28 million verdict in drunken crash after West Mifflin Elks Lodge event

Informative article about the dangers of a DUI offense and how one can be held liable for the injuries caused to another as a result of DUI. Additionally, the article touches on how establishments that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons can be held civilly liable for the injuries caused to another as a result of that patron driving under the influence after leaving a particular Bar.

Here, a jury in Allegheny County Pennsylvania awarded a verdict of $28 million dollars to the Plaintiffs as a result of a fatal crash in West Mifflin Pennsylvania involving a Defendant who left an establishment after being so intoxicated that his blood alcohol was more than twice the legal limit.
The Jury Verdict sends a strong and clear message to citizens of Pennsylvania: Do not drink and drive and do not aide others in drunk driving by serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons. If make the poor choice of driving under the influence, you will be arrested and ace stiff penalties. If you or your employees continue to serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons, you could be held liable for their actions if they cause injuries to another after leaving your place of business.

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/2013/11/22/Jury-returns-28-million-verdict-in-drunken-crash-after-Elks-Lodge-event/stories/201311220176

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Pa SB391 aims to expand Pennsylvania Expungement Law to include Misdemeanor Offenses

Introduced by State Senator Tim Solobay, Senate Bill 391 seeks to expand the current expungement laws of Pennsylvania. Currently, a person may seek to have summary charges expunged from their criminal record if they remain arrest free for five years following the guilty plea or guilty verdict for summary offenses. However, the current law only addresses minor "paper cut offenses" such as harassment, public urination, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, underage drinking, false id, reckless driving or other summary offenses.

Most of the aforementioned offenses will be adjudicated as a non-traffic summary offenses and may not show on some quick background checks. However, most, if not all, will probably show for more standard, stringent background checks ran by most federal and state agencies. But, as the law is currently written, only these summary offenses are eligible for the expugement process.

So, unless you are eligible for the ARD program following a DUI conviction or probation without verdict sentence following a conviction for simple possession of narcotics, one can only seek to wipe their record clean if they meet the criteria of the law as it currently stands: summary offense, 5 year waiting period.

What SB391 seeks to address are similar low level offenses that just so happen to be graded a little higher in the Pennsylvania Criminal System: Crimes charged as a misdemeanor of the second degree or misdemeanor of the third degree. For example, disorderly conduct can be charged as a misdemeanor of the third degree or a summary offense. If SB391 is successfully signed into law, a person found guilty of disorderly conduct can eventually have the conviction expunged after a waiting period, whether the crime was graded as a summary offense or a misdemeanor of the third degree. Other low graded misdemeanors possibly eligible for expungement include, but is not limited to, theft, simple assault, defiant trespass or unsworn falsifications.

Click here to Read the Press Release regarding the new expungement law and click here to read the full text and status of the bill, including the inclusions of new eligible offenses with the noted exceptions for crimes excluded from eligibility. Currently, the bill has been passed by the Pa Senate and has been forwarded to the Pa House.

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Sunday, September 22, 2013

New Youtube Channel for Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer

We recently set up our youtube channel to keep all our videos, commercials, interviews and ads in one place. Logon to http://www.youtube.com/user/frankwalkerlaw to check out all of our videos and subscribe to our channel!

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Pittsburgh ChildLine Expunction Attorney

Have you or someone you know been charged with a criminal offense involving the allegations of abusing minors? If so, they may be subjected to an investigation from the Department of Welfare and in danger of being placed on the Child Line registry. Once placed on the registry, it will become extremely difficult to interact with minors in professional, social and some private settings.

If you have received a notification from the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare regarding a child line registry or investigation, you have a very short period of time to Appeal the findings and expunge your name from the child line registry. If you fail to respond to the allegations within the requested time frame, you may waive your right to contest the allegations and automatically be placed on the registry for life.

Contact our office or Click here to view our new page involving Child Line Expunctions and Appeals to learn more about the process and to schedule a consultation for a review of the allegations and serious discussion about your options.

Monday, July 8, 2013

4th of July DUI Checkpoint Stop - Drug Dogs, Vehicle Search, Officer Questioning

DUI Checkpoints are commonplace around holidays, particularly summer holidays such as Memorial Day, Labor Day and Independence Day (4th of July). Officers know seem to use the stops to crack down on drunk driving, driving under the influence, underage drinking, traffic offenses, public intoxication, fake id and other criminal charges.

This past 4th of July weekend, a youtube video began circulating showing a young man going through a DUI Checkpoint. Once the video hit youtube, well, you know what happened: It went viral.

The video shows the young man entering the checkpoint, the encounters with the police officers and the subsequent "search" by the drug dogs.

The video raises several interesting constitutional and civility issues from the viewpoint of attorneys, police officers and citizens.

I encourage you to watch the video and discuss with your family and friends.

Monday, July 1, 2013

West Virginia to step up distracted-driving fight - Texting/CellPhone Ban goes in effect July 1, 2013

For years the evidence has shown that distracted drivers are just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than drunk drivers.

With repeat news accounts of car accidents caused by a person distracted while texting or talking on the cell phone, the State West Virginia has taken a bold step to protect the citizens and visitors of their state by enacting a Distracted Driving Law that goes into effect July 1, 2013.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Chesney Concert Ends With Fights, Arrests for Criminal Charges

The excitement over Kenny Chesney Concert in Pittsburgh proved to be a little too much for some people with the night ending with several fights and numerous arrests for underage drinking, public intoxication, DUI, Aggravated assault, fake id, disorderly conduct, public urination and other criminal charges.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/06/23/chesney-concert-ends-with-fights-arrests/

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Friday, April 5, 2013

Facing a Probation Violation?

When arrested and convicted for a criminal offense, a Defendant can be sentenced to probation, which is typically a term of supervision by a probation officer where the Defendant is required to obey all laws, check in periodically with the assigned officer and most importantly, refrain from being arrested for any additional charges.

If the Defendant get arrested while on probation, the Judge who imposed the probation usually places a probation detain on the Defendant, which means, if the Defendant is arrested on new charges, goes to the county jail and posts bail, the Defendant will not be able to leave the jail due to the detainer being placed on their docket.

Probation detainers typically can only be addressed after the case for which the detainer was lodged is closed. For example, Defendant is on probation for Aggravated Assault and while on probation gets arrested for a DUI. A probation detainer is lodged due to the violation of probation: getting a new charge while on probation. In this case, the detainer will be addressed once the DUI charge is resolved and the Defendant remains in jail until the probation violation hearing.

An experienced criminal defense Attorney can assist with probation violations by suggesting alternative confinement placement for the Defendant to serve the detainer period. Or, in the Alternative, the Attorney can file a motion to have the detainer lifted by the original Judge who imposed the probation detainer.

In either case, the earlier the Attorney is involved in the case and made aware of the violation, the better chance of the detainer being lifted or transferred to another place of confinement. Our experienced staff members are knowledgeable of probation detainers, violations and work hard to quickly to resolve the possible violation.

Contact our office today to schedule a Free Consultation.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Things to Consider for a Bail Hearing

Our office receives many calls from clients seeking a bail attorney: Someone to argue for a bail reduction for a client.

Request for a bail reduction should be thoroughly researched prior to making the request. For example, how many times has the Defendant failed to appear in the past? Is the Defendant charged with a violent offense? What are the Defendant's ties to the community? Does the Defendant live in the jurisdiction?

These are just some of the questions the presiding Judge will need answered prior to even considering a bail reduction. An experienced Bail Attorney will review the Defendants entire background including family background, criminal history, meet with the bail agency and review all documents on the case prior to filing a petition requesting a reduction in bail.

If you are looking to hire an Attorney to file a petition for a bail reduction, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation and review of the paperwork for the case. Our staff will research the issue, file the petition and attend the hearing to request the reduction.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Mandatory Minimum State Sentences

In Pennsylvania, the sentencing commission has deemed that certain Defendants should be subject to mandatory minimum sentences in certain circumstances.

For example: A person who commits a violent offense with a deadly weapon is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years. A person who is convicted of possession with the intent to deliver narcotics and it is proven by the preponderance of the evidence that he was in actual or constructive possession of a firearm, he is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in state prison. The sentencing judge has no discretion in imposing these sentences.

If you have been charged with possession of a firearm while also charged with possession with intent to deliver narcotics, contact our law firm immediately to discuss your options. In some instances, the mandatory sentence can be negotiated. In other cases, the best possible case will be to opt to for a trial.

The decision to plead guilty or opt for a trial is the decision of the client. However, such decision should not be made without consultation with an experienced attorney and knowledge of all the possible penalties.

Contact our lawfirm today to schedule a free consultation.

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Site
Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice & Wrongful Death Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

What to Do when Facing Multiple DUI Charges?

Have you or someone you love been charged with DUI? For first time offenders, you may be eligible for the ARD program where, upon successful completion, you are eligible for an expungement. However, when charged with a second or subsequent DUI charge, the rules change.

In Pennsylvania, you are only eligible for the ARD program every 10 (Ten) years. Therefore, more than one DUI arrests within ten years require special attention as you can be subject to maximum penalties that include, but are not limited to: probation, house arrest or even jail time. Multiple DUI's must be evaluated on a case by case basis.

For example, a person who has been arrested for a second DUI within ten years and the DUI involves an accident is different than a person who has a third DUI within ten years with no accident but refused the breathalyzer at the scene.

You need an experienced DUI lawyer to review your case, go over all the possible options and show you the likely outcome. In some instances, an experienced attorney may be able to help you avoid jail time by suggesting alternative confinement options. Contact our Office Today to schedule a Free consultation: 412.315.7441

Television Commercial for Attorney Frank Walker