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.
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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
Showing posts with label preliminary hearing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preliminary hearing. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Commonwealth v. L.R.
Defendant charged with Underage Drinking (Second
Offense)
Result following Preliminary Hearing: Not Guilty
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Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell
Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw
Result following Preliminary Hearing: Not Guilty
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Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell
Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw
Monday, October 31, 2011
Commonwealth v. M.H.
Defendant charged with Aggravated
Assault, Resisting Arrest, Simple Assault, Disorderly
Conduct and Possession of
Narcotics.
Result following Preliminary Hearing - All felonies dismissed, summary offenses and misdemeanors waived to court for potential entry into ARD program.
---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell
Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw
Result following Preliminary Hearing - All felonies dismissed, summary offenses and misdemeanors waived to court for potential entry into ARD program.
---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell
Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw
Commonwealth v. C.R.
Defendant charged with Aggravated
Assault and lodged in the Allegheny County Jail with a $50,000.00 straight
Bond.
Result following Bail Reduction Hearing - Bail Reduced to $10,000.00 @ 10%
---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell
Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw
Result following Bail Reduction Hearing - Bail Reduced to $10,000.00 @ 10%
---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell
Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw
Commonwealth v. D.S.
Defendant charged with Traffic Offense of 1542(a), driving while license
suspended, non- DUI related.
Defendant received citation and pled guilty via mail without consulting
an attorney. Guilty plea requires an additional mandatory one year license
suspension.
Result - Appeals guilty plea and negotiates a plea to reduce charge. No license suspension.
---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell
Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw
Result - Appeals guilty plea and negotiates a plea to reduce charge. No license suspension.
---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell
Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw
Commonwealth v. J.H.
Defendant was charged with passing a Bad Check. He was facing a maximum
penalty for misdemeanor. The Commonwealth pressed for an additional charge
of disorderly
conduct.
Result - Charge withdrawn at Preliminary Hearing
---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell
Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw
Result - Charge withdrawn at Preliminary Hearing
---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell
Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Couple Arrested In Moon Prostitution Sting Deny Accusations
"Presence at the scene of a crime is not criminal conduct and if we're going to criminalize sitting in a car outside a hotel playing solitaire on your phone, we got a lot of issues here in Pennsylvania," said Ghafoor's defense attorney Frank Walker.
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Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
1-800-496-4143 Office
412.532.6805 Cell
Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw
Saturday, November 28, 2009
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
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
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Preliminary Hearing
preliminary hearing
in criminal law, a hearing to determine if a person charged with a felony (a serious crime punishable by a term in the state prison) should be tried for the crime charged, based on whether there is some substantial evidence that he/she committed the crime.
A preliminary hearing is held in the lowest local court (municipal or police court), but only if the prosecutor has filed the charge without asking the Grand Jury for an indictment for the alleged crime. Such a hearing must be held within a few days after arraignment (presentation in court of the charges and the defendant's right to plead guilty or not guilty).
Since neither side wants to reveal its trial strategy, the prosecution normally presents only enough evidence and testimony to show the probability of guilt, and defendants often put on no evidence at all at the preliminary hearing, unless there is a strong chance of getting the charges dismissed. If the judge finds sufficient evidence to try the defendant, the case is sent to the appropriate court (variously called superior, county, district, common pleas) for trial.
If there is no such convincing evidence, the judge will dismiss the charges.
From the defense perspective, the preliminary hearing is one of the most important steps in the criminal justice process since you get an opportunity to hear the evidence against you, evaluate witnesses and effectively map out a strategy for your defense.
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
412.227.0290
412.401.1764
in criminal law, a hearing to determine if a person charged with a felony (a serious crime punishable by a term in the state prison) should be tried for the crime charged, based on whether there is some substantial evidence that he/she committed the crime.
A preliminary hearing is held in the lowest local court (municipal or police court), but only if the prosecutor has filed the charge without asking the Grand Jury for an indictment for the alleged crime. Such a hearing must be held within a few days after arraignment (presentation in court of the charges and the defendant's right to plead guilty or not guilty).
Since neither side wants to reveal its trial strategy, the prosecution normally presents only enough evidence and testimony to show the probability of guilt, and defendants often put on no evidence at all at the preliminary hearing, unless there is a strong chance of getting the charges dismissed. If the judge finds sufficient evidence to try the defendant, the case is sent to the appropriate court (variously called superior, county, district, common pleas) for trial.
If there is no such convincing evidence, the judge will dismiss the charges.
From the defense perspective, the preliminary hearing is one of the most important steps in the criminal justice process since you get an opportunity to hear the evidence against you, evaluate witnesses and effectively map out a strategy for your defense.
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney Frank Walker
FrankWalkerLaw.com
412.227.0290
412.401.1764
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