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22 Dec, 2022 by John
John is a great attorney he was honest very understanding very good listen skills and most important he believe in me. That was so important to me I was facing a lot. He always kept it real; he always kept me in the loop and was up front about everything. I would strongly recommend him to anyone
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04 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
John was hired to defend a case of mine. Even with a criminal background he was able to get my charges dismissed entirely. Incredibly courteous and professionalism is unmatched. Couldn’t not recommend more highly.
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16 Jan, 2012 by Edwin e.
No one better from my Experience; he is our Family`s Attorney@Law! No other. Very fair.
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06 Oct, 2009 by Avery
anybody looking for the best criminal attorney i highly recommend ken
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27 Apr, 2022 by C brown
Mr Gray is very pleasant. He listens to concerns completely & focused on the matter at hand with a plan to back it up. When I talked to him, he discussed different view points & tactics. He didn't sugar-coat things. He was straight forward & even recited different laws & statues as he went over possible scenarios. He made us feel much better because he thinks things through. He was punctual & actually early when meeting up. We are confident knowing we have someone who cares & knows the law.
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09 May, 2021 by Antonio hipps
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21 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
I used Mike on over 6 cases in the past 5 years. He is very professional and just a down to earth person. He always made me feel at ease when it came time for court. Mike always got me the best possible deal. Several times got me completely off. Hopefully I never need another defense attorney but if I do I will definitely call Mike.
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19 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
I have used Mike many times for a lot of different cases. He was always very helpful and most importantly he kept me out of jail. I would definitely recommend him.
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24 Jan, 2017 by Sam
Ms. Gutnick is simply one of the best attorney's around. She is incredibly thorough, cautious and precise. I would never want to have to go against her. She has been mine and my company's attorney for over 10 years now, and I wouldn't want anyone else. She puts her clients first.
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06 Oct, 2015 by Daniel
Ms Gutnick routinely went above and beyond to help us with whatever situation was thrown at us. We've called her at all hours (even late night) and she was always responsive and willing to help with our needs. I'd highly recommend Ms Gutnick for anyone thats looking for "Professional" help
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20 Oct, 2015 by Mark
I was represented by Mr Rosselli and I would highly recommend him. He was extremely professional and also stayed in contact with my wife during case. If you need good attorney don't waste your money, go with the best attorney Rosselli!
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24 Jun, 2010 by Stephen
i was represented by crh lawfirm by mr roselli and was satisfied with the sentence that i received.
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29 Aug, 2023 by Linda
It all seemed so effortless to him.. I thought i was done for! He always let me know every step of the way. Always stayed in contact. I thank you so very much David!!
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13 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
My experience with attorney David DeFazio was nothing but the best one could ask for. In my dire time of need when police officers had falsified information and made a false arrest, attorney DeFazio did not falter at any moment. Being a sole practitioner he was always checking up on me and giving updates on my case. I never felt like I was alone throughout my entire case. His attention to detail along with his drive to do what was best for the situation and me was very comforting. The research he put in for a small case like mine was above and beyond. In the courtroom he took on the police without any hesitation. Attorney DeFazio won my case I can say that I would recommend him to anyone.
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08 Feb, 2024 by Amritpal nat
I m truck driver got traffic tickets in Pennsylvania Ashley saved my license got tickets dismissed they are professionals highly recommended.
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20 Nov, 2020 by Capo thedon
Ashley represented me today in a matter where i was facing jail time plus a license suspension. Not only did she keep my freedom but also saved my license. The odds were against me but she persevered. She is a very professional, attentive lawyer. HIGHLY recommend. Josh G.
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14 Jun, 2018 by Ashok
I talked with Paul. He is well informed about the name change. He is very helpful and good work with him.
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09 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
I was involved in a car accident and Stephen helped me settle the medical expenses. He is very trustworthy and reliable.
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12 Jan, 2021 by Adrianne
After an altercation with an unprofessional cop, I was afraid of retribution by the department, as they threatened me with prosecution for not being polite enough. Carmen handled the entire matter in one phone call and put my fears to rest. When I was scared, she took my call at 7;00pm and by 9:30 the next day the matter was put to rest. I feel protected in case of further retaliation.
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12 Feb, 2024 by Heidi
Mark Savannah is the best lawyer anyone could ever hire. I already know Mark and his family coz we go back a long way. I am thinking of hiring Mark for my legalities that I have. I have a criminal matter against some people, I have a family matter that needs addressed also.
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17 Apr, 2012 by Anonymous
A had a problem with the law, and when I told her what was going on, she comforted me and spoke with all public officers and officials dealing with my case and took care of it. She gave me a piece of mind that I needed and went above and beyond her expectations to make sure that I got the best outcome. Would recommended her any day to anyone.
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23 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr. Livingston is a very good lawyer and helped me with two issues I had with medical groups. Neither case involved large sums of money, and I was concerned that could factor into how my cases were handled. Money wasn't the issue with Mr. Livingston and he handled both cases professionally, conscientiously and to completion and my satisfaction.
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06 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
The Shrager law office gave my case to Heather Kelly. Do NOT hire Shrager... they talked down to me, like I had no brain, yelled at me for following up when they told me to, treated me like I was a criminal and the office smelled of ego. I had no choice. So glad they "sold" the case to Kelly. She treated me the EXACT opposite. Took my phone call, listened to me (every time I needed her too), treated me like an innocent (I was) human being! My case was not complicated and the end result 95% would have been the same without her but Im so pleased she was there by my side. She has a calming presence about her.
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13 Jul, 2017 by Mike
Attorney Ostrosky was excellent. He was available to answer every text, phone call, and question. He genuinely cared about the outcome of my case. I can't thank him enough.
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04 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
All around great lawyer. She knows what she's doing, Ms. Owens Esq saved my life on a professional level. I am completely thankful and humbled by her service. If you need someone that knows how work her way around the courtroom, and continue to present her self in highly manner, then Amber Lynn Owens Esq is the lawyer for you.
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05 Jan, 2020 by Rachael
I was extremely impressed with David. I had a difficult case and David showed patience, but fought hard and appropriately aggressive when needed. He was easy to communicate with. I would recommend David to anyone who needed a lawyer.
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27 Jun, 2013 by Paul
Represents me currently. Was willing to communicate and strongly consider and act upon my advice. Filed the motions that I instructed him to. Was very effective during plea negotiation and obtained the correct plea offer from the commonwealth due to his motion for suppression of physical evidence due to lack of jurisdiction. Also, was able to get a hearing before judge Jeffrey A. Manning regarding my bail an probation detainer. Judge lifted detainer and allowed me to return home on electronic monitoring. This guy does his job. Judge Manning was attentive and not falling for the commonwealth's lies.
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28 Jan, 2015 by Mike
I found Dan via the Bar referral service. He was professional, albeit a bit green at the time ( 5 years ago). He managed to get what would have been a nearly life ending number of criminal charges bargened way down, and the remainder resolved via ARD and a reasonable bit of community service. All in all I couldn't be be happier with the outcome and the fact that everything was later expunged.
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23 Jul, 2014 by Kj
Ms. or Mrs. Kreisman I'd like to thank you for your excellent service the last time you assisted me. Im goin to need you again soon. Anyone need a get you in and out of court quick that has great social report with judges type of lawyer contact her. Listen learn and be honest she'll get you in and out of legal situations with your interest in mind.
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30 Nov, 2014 by Timothy
Emily was very well prepared and provided an adequate defense in a matter before Hon. Joseph Williams, III. No matter of the outcome, she exhibited the type of lawyering that she was trained well from her law school of choice. I could not had been more pleased. The tenacity, focus, determination, dedication despite the constraints at her previous employer, still proved she was a true advocate for fairness, equality, and even-handed justice.
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16 Jan, 2012 by Anonymous
I have used Christy Foremen for a plethora of legal issues. Although her expertise is Criminal and Family Law, she is extremely competent in Civil issues too.
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27 Nov, 2012 by Anonymous
Kim is a very good DUI defense attorney (and is proven in other areas of criminal defense, but he concentrates solely on DUIs now I believe). I hired Kim for two DUI cases. One case was ultimately dismissed and the other case he negotiated a future employment killing felony reduced to a lesser charge. Kim interacts very well with police officers, district attorneys, and judges. They all seem to like him(save a particular judge and PA state trooper, see below). This is very important, because if the key players do not like your attorney, a case could be drawn out for a longer time and lead to a unfavourable outcome no matter how strong your case is. He is very honest. He won't promise you the moon. He will lay out the options, but he will be honest that he can't predict what will ultimately happen. He told me he won't go in front of a particular judge if they get assigned my case because that judge does not like him (because he had one of their rulings overturned in the superior courts). A state cop in one of the cases didn't like him because he was actually doing what I hired him to do to fight my case (I think many cops are just used to people pleading guilty or taking a plea agreement in DUIs and get angry when defendants fight the case). We ultimately won that case. Kim is always on top of current DUI case law. Numerous times sitting with him waiting for hearings he mentioned very recent case law that may help or hurt my case. Bottom line: If you are charged with a DUI in the Pittsburgh area and want the best chance to fight the charge, you hire Kim Riester. He charges by the hour, and he is not cheap, but he gives you the best chance to win a DUI case in PA. And on top of being a great defense attorney, he is also a nice down to earth guy (which you will appreciate when you are facing the uncertainty of the criminal justice system).
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08 Jun, 2011 by George
On June 15, 2007, Attorney William C. Kaczynski entered his appearance in the case entitled Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vs. GEORGE D. WALLS, CC # 200214218. I was incarcerated in SCI Albion, Pennsylvania due to a wrongful conviction. Attorney Kaczynsk, filed a Supplemental Post Conviction Relief Act Petition requesting the trial court to grant me a new trial for several reasons See: Commonwealth v. George D. Walls, cited as: 993 A.2d 289 Pa. Super 54 (2010). The trial court (Honorable Judge Kathleen A. Durkin) rejected my PCRA Petition for new trial. HOWEVER, Attorney Kaczynski, filed the above cited appeal in the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. The Superior Court REVERSED & REMANDED with instructions agreeing with Attorney Kaczynski, that my Due Process Rights were violated. The case went back before the Honorable Judge Durkin who summarily dismissed my (PCRA) Petition without a hearing. Attorney Kaczynski aggressively argued that I should be granted a new trial because of prior Counsel (Ernest H. Sharif) & (William A. Brandstetter, II) was ineffective in their representation of my case. On February 11, 2011, my PCRA Petition for new trial was granted. On May 20, 2011, I was finally released from the wrongful incarceration due to the diligent work of William C. Kaczynski, Esquire! For more than 4 years attorney Kaczynski put in so many hours to make sure that I'd get my day in court and then had the wrongful conviction reversed. Finally, On May 10th, 2011, the Honorable Judge Kathleen A. Durkin granted the Allegheny County District Attorney's request to "nolle process" the entire case. I am a free man today thanks to Attorney William C. Kaczynski, Esquire. I greatly appreciate having Attorney William C. Kaczynski represent me. I wish all attorney would work as hard and diligent as this attorney! William C. Kaczynski, kept his word and kept me informed at every stage of the case. Most of the times, during his representation of my case, he went beyond the call of his representation. If you need any additional information about this wonderful Attorney, feel free to email me at:
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21 Sep, 2021 by Thomas
Ralph did a great job as my attorney... justice was truly served against a compromised police officer... thank you for your service...
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11 May, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr. Gailey is a caring and compassionate attorney who helped me with my injury case. He led me through the process and kept me informed. He fought for me and I would highly recommend him.
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13 Jun, 2020 by Debbie
Thomas McKinley is a honest, knowledgeable, responsive attorney! He addressed all of our concerns and gave us peace of mind! He was outstanding in court and got the charges dropped , and made the other people involved look very foolish! We strongly recommend him and would hire him in a minute if the need ever arises again!
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08 Oct, 2009 by Harold
MR. Scoratow Is The Attorney to Have By Your Side And In Your Corner. Very Knowledgeable of The System. And Know His Way Around The Court Room.
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23 Apr, 2013 by Brenda
he is one of the best lawyers i have ever known. he is awesome.
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18 Sep, 2017 by Jeffrey
I would like to highly recommend Ms. Kraut for any form of legal services. She is very personable, knowledgeable, and dependable. Her ability to build a personal connection with her clients enables the legal process to be as positive as possible. She maintains a high ethical standard, and is trustworthy in all matters. Ms. Kraut remains approachable,and directs the legal process effectively and efficiently. I was totally satisfied with her services and would not hesitate to call on her again if a need arises.
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Questions? We have answers

What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do for You

A criminal defense lawyer provides legal representation to individuals or organizations accused of criminal conduct. If you're facing criminal charges, a defense lawyer will work to protect your rights, build a defense strategy, and ensure you receive a fair trial. Their primary goal is to reduce or dismiss charges, secure an acquittal, or negotiate a favorable plea deal.

Criminal defense lawyers have extensive knowledge of criminal law and court procedures. They investigate your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, and represent you in court, ensuring that you have the best possible defense.

When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

It’s crucial to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if you are facing any criminal charges. Some situations in which you should seek legal representation include:

  • Arrest or police questioning: If you've been arrested or are under investigation, hiring a lawyer early on can prevent self-incrimination and protect your rights during police questioning.
  • Felony charges: Crimes such as murder, assault, drug trafficking, or robbery carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences. A defense lawyer is essential in these cases.
  • Misdemeanor charges: Even for less serious offenses like DUI, theft, or simple assault, a lawyer can help reduce penalties, negotiate alternatives to jail, or get charges dismissed.
  • Plea negotiations: If you’re considering a plea bargain, a lawyer can evaluate the deal, advise you on its consequences, and negotiate for more favorable terms.
  • Probation or parole violations: If you’ve been accused of violating probation or parole, a lawyer can defend you against additional penalties or revocation.
  • Juvenile offenses: For minors charged with criminal acts, a criminal defense lawyer can protect their future by minimizing legal repercussions or keeping the case in juvenile court.

What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

Criminal defense lawyers provide comprehensive legal services to protect their clients’ rights throughout the criminal justice process. Their duties include:

  • Case evaluation and investigation: Reviewing the evidence, interviewing witnesses, and investigating the facts to develop a strong defense strategy.
  • Legal advice: Advising you on your rights, the charges you’re facing, and potential defense strategies, including whether to take a plea deal or go to trial.
  • Negotiating plea bargains: Working with prosecutors to negotiate a plea deal that could reduce charges or minimize penalties.
  • Court representation: Representing you in all court hearings, including bail hearings, pretrial motions, trials, and sentencing hearings.
  • Filing motions: Filing motions to dismiss charges, suppress evidence, or reduce bail, depending on the specifics of your case.
  • Trial preparation and defense: Preparing a defense strategy and presenting arguments, evidence, and witnesses during trial to contest the prosecution's case.
  • Appeals: If you are convicted, a defense lawyer can appeal the conviction or sentence, arguing errors in the trial process or legal rulings.

How Are Criminal Defense Lawyers Paid?

Criminal defense lawyers generally charge clients in one of three ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Payment structures include:

  • Flat fee: For straightforward cases (e.g., minor misdemeanors), some lawyers charge a one-time flat fee that covers all aspects of the defense.
  • Hourly rate: For more complex or ongoing cases, lawyers may charge by the hour, with rates varying based on the lawyer’s experience and geographic location.
  • Retainer fee: In cases where extensive work is expected, the client may pay a retainer fee upfront. The lawyer then bills against that retainer for their work on the case.

The cost of criminal defense services can vary greatly, so it’s important to discuss fees during your initial consultation.

How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer depends on several factors, including the severity of the charges, the complexity of the case, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost guidelines are:

  • Misdemeanor cases: For relatively minor offenses, such as a DUI or petty theft, a flat fee may range from $1,500 to $5,000.
  • Felony cases: More serious charges, such as assault or drug trafficking, can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the complexity and duration of the case.
  • Hourly rates: For cases billed by the hour, lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on their expertise and the case's location.
  • Additional expenses: You may also be responsible for other costs, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, or the cost of private investigators.

Be sure to clarify the lawyer’s fee structure and any potential additional costs during your consultation.

Top Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Before hiring a criminal defense lawyer, you’ll want to ensure that they’re a good fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask:

  1. What is your experience with cases like mine?
    Make sure the lawyer has a strong track record with the specific type of criminal charges you’re facing, whether it’s DUI, drug offenses, or violent crimes.
  2. What is your fee structure?
    Ask how the lawyer charges for their services and whether you’ll be responsible for any additional costs.
  3. What are the potential outcomes of my case?
    A good lawyer should provide an honest assessment of your case and the likelihood of dismissal, a plea bargain, or conviction.
  4. How many cases have you taken to trial?
    While many criminal cases settle with a plea deal, it’s important to hire a lawyer with courtroom experience in case your case goes to trial.
  5. Who will handle my case?
    Ask if the lawyer will be personally involved or if other attorneys in the firm will handle most of the work.
  6. How do you communicate with your clients?
    Be clear on how often and through what channels you can expect updates on your case.

How to Check the Credibility of a Criminal Defense Lawyer

To verify the credibility of a criminal defense lawyer, take the following steps:

  • Check their standing with the state bar: Confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with your state’s bar association. Look for any past disciplinary actions or complaints.
  • Read online reviews and testimonials: Platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google can provide insights from previous clients about the lawyer’s communication, professionalism, and case outcomes.
  • Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should have past clients or other professionals who can speak to their competence and work ethic.
  • Review their case history: Look at the lawyer’s website or professional profile to see their experience with criminal cases, including high-profile or complex cases.
  • Look for trial experience: If your case might go to trial, make sure the lawyer has a strong history of courtroom advocacy and success.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your first consultation with a criminal defense lawyer, bring the following:

  • Details of your case: Be prepared to provide a detailed account of the charges against you, including any documents related to your arrest, police reports, and court dates.
  • Criminal history: If you have any prior criminal convictions, inform your lawyer so they can understand how that may affect your current case.
  • List of witnesses or evidence: If there are any potential witnesses or evidence that may support your defense, share this information during the consultation.
  • Questions for the lawyer: Prepare questions about their experience, legal strategy, and fees to ensure you understand how they will handle your case.
  • Bail or release documents: If you’ve been released on bail, bring any paperwork related to your release conditions or restrictions.

By being well-prepared, you can help your lawyer quickly assess your situation and begin building an effective defense strategy.

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