Do you Really need a Criminal Lawyer?

Our firm receives numerous calls from potential clients every day seeking advice on how to handle a legal situation. On many occasions, the potential clients retain our services and become actual clients. Some of the callers seek counsel elsewhere because they do not like our assessment of their legal situation. Unfortunately, there is a small percentage of callers who contact our firm with the specific purpose of obtaining information from a lawyer in an effort to handle their own legal matter without a lawyer.

These callers are simply unwilling to listen to any advice or follow the direction of any lawyer and simply think they can handle their legal matter alone. This is not advisable. Legal matters are inherently complex. Whether you are facing a preliminary hearing, an interview with police or are the target of a federal grand jury investigation, you need an experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer to explain all of the potential penalties, outcomes and fines that may accompany these situations.

Do yourself a favor: When faced with a potential criminal matter, contact a Criminal Lawyer with the experience to advise you of your options and listen to the advice given.




---------
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

Charged with Conspiracy in Pennsylvania

Conspiracy is a vague but far reaching crime. Many view a conspiracy crime as actively planning a bank robbery or driving a get away car after a robbery. In most cases, these examples are accurate. However, what most citizens do not realize is that conspiracy can be charged in instances where the person is not even present at the scene of the crime but agreed to commit the crime at an earlier point and made acts towards the completion of the crime even if not present at the scene of the actual crime. For example: Arranging drug transactions by phone, paying another person to commit an assault or assisting a person in committing a burglary by luring the home owners away to another location under false pretenses.

 

The important distinction that must be made in every conspiracy case is the identification of an agreement, whether actual or implied by actions. Often, police officers and detectives will threaten to charge everyone present at the scene of a crime with conspiracy in an attempt to scare someone into testifying against another. However, Pennsylvania law is clear: Presence at the scene of a crime, standing alone, is not evidence of conspiracy.

 

Thus, if you or anyone you know has been charged with or is threatening to be charged with conspiracy, stand firm on your rights: Remain silent and contact Attorney Frank Walker for a free case review.  

---------
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

Charged with Homicide in Pittsburgh?

Every Criminal Charge in the Pennsylvania Code should be taken seriously. Whether a DUI, underage drinking or narcotics charge, a conviction can half life changing impact on your liberty. However, none of these charges can actually put your life in jeopardy like a charge of Homicide.

 

In Pennsylvania, a general count of Homicide encompasses five (5) charges: Murder 1, Murder 2, Murder 3, Voluntary Manslaughter, Involuntary Manslaughter. The maximum penalties range from 5 years in prison to a sentence of Death.

 

When citizens of the Commonwealth are choosing an attorney to defend a homicide case, special attention should be given to the experience of the attorney. Homicide cases are tedious, all consuming and require a specific attention to detail.

 

At Frank Walker Law, our attorneys are experienced homicide attorneys with results to support such claim. As a charter member of the Allegheny County Office of Conflict Counsel, Attorney Frank Walker has successfully tried numerous homicide cases, jury and non jury, to verdict. Additionally, attorney Walker has been appointed to represent homicide clients on appeal to both the Superior and Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

 

It is no accident that many clients choose Frank Walker Law to represent their loved ones in all criminal matters, especially charges of Criminal Homicide.  

---------
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

Morgantown Criminal Defense Lawyer

With a new office in Morgantown, West Virginia, Attorney Frank Walker is back to familiar territory: West Virginia Law.

 

A 2003 graduate of West Virginia University College of Law, Attorney Walker brings his years of  experience as a Pittsburgh Criminal Defense attorney back to his home state of West Virginia for Criminal Defense and Personal Injury matters.

 

Having a license to practice law in West Virginia and Pennsylvania proves beneficial for clients who are charged with crimes while flying into Pittsburgh Airport driving to and from Morgantown, West Virginia for football, basketball baseball or softball games.

 

If you or someone you know have been charged with a crime while in Morgantown, WV or Pittsburgh, Pa, make Attorney Frank Walker your first call.

---------
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

Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney for College Students

College Students often find themselves involved in legal issues while attending school away from home. Most legal issues are legal such as lease agreements or simple employment contracts. However, when the legal issues involve criminal charges or personal injury question, college students often contact our law firm to review their options. Additionally, many parents of Pittsburgh University and College Students contact Attorney Frank Walker based on client review, referrals or as a result of their search for a local attorney.

 

Click here to learn more about Attorney Frank Walker and his successful representation of Pittsburgh Area College Students.

---------
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

Pittsburgh Phoenix Docket Attorney - Phoenix Court Lawyer

Just updated the site to include information on the Phoenix Court Docket: Click here to check it out! Feel Free to Post and Share with your Social Networks.


---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Free Confidential Legal Evaluation

Think you have a Personal Injury or Medical Malpractice case? Want an experienced Attorney to review your Criminal case?

Visit FrankWalkerLaw.com for a Free Confidential Legal Evaluation of your case. Submit your case facts online and Attorney Frank Walker will review and respond quickly!

Don't Wait! Visit FrankWalkerLaw.com today!






---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

How To Choose a Criminal Defense Attorney - Tip #4

Is the potential attorney knowledgeable about your charge?

Too often, attorneys advertise themselves as "General Practice" and tout themselves as a jack of all trades: i.e. expert on all areas of law . . . including Criminal Law.

Granted, there are probably some very good general practice attorneys who can navigate different areas of law. However, do you really want a general practice attorney defending you on DUI charges, Domestic Violence Charges or a Charge of Homicide when you are facing substantial jail/prison time? Probably Not.

Be Smart. Ask around. Ask for references. Ask your potential attorney questions about their practice and the last time they handled a criminal case with charges similar to the ones you are facing.

If you don't like the answers you receive, odds are: you need to search for an attorney elsewhere.


Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
412.281.5423 Office
412.401.1764 Cell

How to Choose a Criminal Defense Attorney - Tip #3

Are you able to reach your potential attorney?

Ask around.

Do you know what the number one (#1) gripe clients have about their attorney? Yep. You guessed it: "My attorney didn't return my call(s)!"

When searching for a Criminal Defense attorney, if the potential attorney fails to return your calls while you are searching for an attorney, what makes you think they will return your calls once you hire them?

Now granted, we are not going to sit on the phone for hours and give you Free Advice while you "search for an attorney". But your potential attorney should return your calls within a reasonable time to answer your questions about why they are the right candidate to represent your interest.

So if you are calling around looking for a Criminal Defense Attorney, make sure you are comfortable with the ability to contact your attorney if needed to answer simple questions. If not, the attorney client relationship could be strained throughout the entire process.

Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
412.281.5423 Office
412.401.1764 Cell

How To Choose a Criminal Defense Attorney - Tip #2

Asking Questions.

Many times, clients seeking to choose a criminal defense attorney fail to ask questions, whether tough or routine. Questioning your potential attorney on certain tactics or strategy should not offend the attorney. Think about it, the criminal defense lawyer does not face the possible maximum sentence and fines that you face, so it's totally reasonable, if not prudent to ask questions and make sure that you are understanding exactly what will happen during the criminal process you or your family member are facing.

Here are some examples of decisions or advice that you should question and make sure you have a clear reason and explanation for the decision.

- If the potential attorney is recommending that you waive your preliminary hearing without receiving anything in return, ask why!

- If the criminal defense lawyer is pushing you to plead guilty, make sure you know all the elements of every single crime you are pleading guilty to. In addition, make sure you know the possible penalties, defenses, fines, suspensions and possible repercussions of your guilty plea.

- If your attorney is advising you to waive your absolute right to a jury trial, make sure you understand why and make sure you know the pro's and con's of jury trial versus non-jury or bench trial.

Asking questions BEFORE you decide on a criminal defense lawyer will help you fully understand your rights throughout the criminal justice process and assist you in making the best decision on how to proceed in your case.





Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
412.281.5423 Office
412.401.1764 Cell

How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer - Tip #1

Ask the potential criminal lawyers if they have experience in your type of case. You want a lawyer with years of experience in the charges brought against you.

What type of experience? Preferably, you want your attorney to have dealt with your particular issue in the past, from the inception of the case: from the preliminary hearing all the way through trial.

For example, an attorney that typically deals with fraud cases wouldn't have much experience in drug charges. Additionally, you want someone who was actually the lead attorney on the particular case, not an intern, clerk or second chair.


Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
412.227.0290
412.401.1764