Wilkes-Barre Attorney Defends Clients Facing Felony Charges

Pennsylvania lawyer experienced in dealing with serious crimes

Felonies are the most serious offenses punishable under criminal law. A conviction can result in jail or prison time, heavy fines and other punishments that limit your freedom. A felony record will prevent you from holding positions of trust, owning a firearm, joining the military and obtaining certain types of college financial aid. At the office of Jonathan Blum, Attorney at Law in Wilkes-Barre, I have four decades of experience defending clients charged with felony offenses and working to secure the most positive outcomes possible.

What makes a crime a felony?

In Pennsylvania, felonies are classified according to their impact on victims and on public safety in general. If a crime involves the alleged use of a weapon, dealings in drugs or assault, then it will likely be charged as a felony, which means it is punishable by a year or more in jail in addition to substantial fines.

First-degree felonies, such as kidnapping, rape and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, can carry from 10 to 20 years in prison. Second-degree felonies like statutory rape, burglary and indecent assault can draw a five- to 10-year sentence. Third-degree felonies include drug possession with intent to distribute, carrying a gun without a permit and property theft worth more than $2,000 but less than $100,000. They are punishable by 3.5 to seven years in prison.

A criminal defense attorney’s first steps after a felony arrest

When you’re arrested on felony charges, my first priority as your criminal defense attorney is arranging your release from custody. That means qualifying for bail or securing release on recognizance or other nonmonetary conditions. Once you are out of jail, I concentrate on building your defense. I investigate the facts and circumstances of your case, obtaining and analyzing police reports, witness statements and all other evidence. I then develop a defensive strategy based on analysis of the strength of the state’s case against you, weighing the advantages of seeking alternatives to trial that can result in more favorable sentencing terms.

Spotting police misconduct can help beat a felony charge

The keen eye of an experienced criminal defense attorney can uncover mistakes by the police in both their investigation and their conduct in bringing charges against you. If police seemed to have obtained evidence or statements in violation of your constitutional rights, I will bring the appropriate motions to challenge the admissibility of evidence wrongfully obtained. In some cases, exclusion of key pieces of evidence can result in the dismissal of the case or can be the basis for negotiating a reduction in charges — possibly to a non-felony offense that does not draw prison time.

Contact an experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney to defend your felony case

If you have been arrested for or accused of a felony, it is critical to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. The office of Jonathan Blum, Attorney at Law in Wilkes-Barre is ready to provide you with zealous representation. For a free consultation call 570-763-4151 or contact us online.