Criminal convictions can be life-changing, and can include incarceration, hefty fines, loss of employment, license suspension and a lifelong criminal record. Choosing the right attorney to represent you in court for your criminal case may be one of the most important decisions you may ever make.
Assault and Domestic Assault CasesAssault cases, both misdemeanor Simple Assault and felony Aggravated Assault are cases taken very seriously by police, especially in cases involving Domestic Violence. If the police are called to a Domestic Violence situation, they have very little discretion and must arrest the person accused. Typically, the accused is immediately taken before a judge for Arraignment and is taken to the county prison if bail cannot be immediately paid. The individual can also be excluded from his home as a condition of bail.
Drug OffensesViolations of the Narcotics Law can range from very minor Misdemeanors for crimes such as Possession of a Small Amount of Marijuana for Personal Use, to serious Felonies which call for substantial jail time for crimes such as Delivery of a Controlled Substance or for Prescription Fraud. Penalties can include a fine, probation, incarceration and license suspension if convicted of a Narcotics offense. There may be suppression issues where the case can be dismissed if a judge finds the officer conducted an unconstitutional search and seizure. If a vehicle stop was made without Probable Cause, or if a search was unlawfully conducted, the evidence would be “thrown out” of court and the case dismissed.
DUIPennsylvania has one of the strictest DUI laws in the entire country and has Mandatory Sentencing provisions if you are convicted of DUI. If you are found guilty and your Blood level is greater than .10%, then you a facing mandatory jail time that ranges from 2 days in jail for a low level first offense to one year or more for a 3rd or subsequent offense. A mandatory license suspension of at least 12 months will also be ordered. However, if you have no prior record, you may be eligible for a program for first-time offenders know as ARD where the charges eventually get dismissed after certain conditions are completed.
Sex OffensesSex offenses consist of a very broad category ranging from viewing Child Pornography to Rape. A conviction for a sex offense in Pennsylvania has life-changing consequences including at least a 10 year registration under the Sexual Offense Registration Law known as Megan’s List, which is available to the public. If you are accused of a Sex Offense it is best to retain an attorney immediately and do not talk to the police without an attorney present.
Retail Theft (Shoplifting)Retail Theft is a very common crime in Pennsylvania and is also known as Shoplifting. The severity of the offense is based on prior record for retail theft and the value of the property stolen. The penalty ranges from a non-criminal fine for a first offense with the value of the merchandise under $150, to a Felony of the 3rd degree for a 3rd or greater conviction for Retail Theft.
Theft OffensesThere are several theft offenses on the books in Pennsylvania including Theft by Unlawful Taking, Theft by Deception and Receiving Stolen Property, to name a few. These offenses range from a minor Misdemeanor of the 3rd degree for very minor thefts to a Felony of the 3rd degree for thefts involving property with a value over $2,000. In all theft cases, the Commonwealth must prove that property was taken without the owner’s consent and that it was the intent of the accused to keep the property.
Traffic Offenses - “Points Reduced on Your Moving Violation or Your Money Back”Points on your license from traffic tickets can lead to higher insurance rates and possible license suspension. We may even be able to appear in traffic court on your behalf so you may not even have to attend court to get your points reduced.
Speeding OffensesPoints for speeding are dependent on the speed and can range from 0 points for speeds under 5 mph over the limit, to 5 points plus a license suspension hearing for speeds greater than 31mph over the limit. If we are unable to reduce your points on your speeding ticket we offer a full refund of your fee.
ExpungementIf you are convicted of a crime in Pennsylvania, expungement (the destruction of all records involving the case and the arrest) is only available in limited circumstances. If a judge orders expungement, then the entire case is destroyed, including your rap sheet, mug shot, fingerprints and paper file.
Consult With an Experienced, Local Defense Attorney as Soon as PossibleNo matter the charge, from a minor traffic offense to more serious crimes or DUI, you should immediately speak with an experienced local defense attorney. The sooner you retain and attorney the better, so your attorney can start his investigation and preparation of your defense. If you have been arrested, do not speak with the police without having a lawyer by your side to protect your rights.
The experienced attorneys at Ellis B. Klein & Associates are always available to assist for any type of legal matter in Pennsylvania. Call us at (800) 536-0501 or contact us online to schedule a fee consultation. I gladly talk to clients over the phone, or in person if you prefer and I would be happy to answer all of your questions about your case. Call us now!
*Source: Avvo.com Client Reviews
Above and Beyond
5.0 stars
Posted by Bert
Ellis's relationships within the court system, coupled with his ability to navigate the complexities of my case resulted in the best possible outcome for me. Not only was he competent and professional, but he cared about my well being. He made it a point to explain things to me concisely. All of these things make him a great lawyer, but what makes him an excellent lawyer was the fact that even after my case closed, he was willing to speak to a prospective employer on my behalf. No one ever wants to need a defense attorney, but if the situation ever arises in which you do, I can't think of any hands more capable than Ellis B. Klein's
(Criminal law) A True Professional
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
Mr. Klein, or Ellis as he prefers to be called, is a true professional and credit to his profession. I spoke with a number of attorneys before making a decision and the running theme between most was that my case was more complex than I believed it would be and would likely require multiple court appearances. They also seemed keen to charge an amount equal to multiple court appearances. When I spoke to Ellis, I felt that he actually listened to my story instead of just the "yup, mhmm, got it" I heard from others. Furthermore, he explained to me that in my specific situation, it would be possible to handle everything at our first appearance. While he could make no guarantees, he explained what he could possibly do to help me and make it happen at our first appearance. Not only that, his fee half of what the others were charging because he didn't want to charge me in advance for work that may not have been necessary. If plan A didn't work, then we would keep at it at the second hearing. Well, he delivered at the first hearing and I could not be happier with this result. I'd like to make note of one more thing... I noticed the respect shown to him by other attorneys in the courtroom and the Judge. It seems that he really is the good guy I believed him to be.
Ellis Klein is a terrific attorney who represented my son in a DUI case. Ellis was understanding and sympathetic yet very forthright regarding the seriousness of the issue. He was extremely knowledgeable of the process and kept us informed at every step. He had a very professional presence, was confident (but not arrogant) and kept us calm throughout a very traumatic situation. He was a critical factor in my son receiving the best possible outcome from this DUI event.
Recently Mr. Klein helped me out with a criminal charge in which the outcome was the best possible situation for me. Ellis worked with me as far as a payment plan, knew the judge and officer and I couldn't ask for anything more out of a lawyer. I'm very happy with his performance and would recommend him to anyone.
Ellis literally gave me a new lease on life. I was facing a DUI, which would have affected my livelihood, my freedom and would have left me with a criminal record. Mr. Klein was able to have all the evidence suppressed by challenging the officer's cause for pulling me over. He was very thorough, leaving no stone unturned. His demeanor in court was confident and knowledgeable. He saved my reputation and my family from facing serious economic hardship. Thank You
Ellis Klein served as my lawyer in a very difficult case that I was facing and with his help, the outcome of my case turned out wonderful. Mr. Klein helped me very much with his knowledge of my case. Thanks Ellis!
Like many young adults, I made a bad decision that resulted in very serious consequences. I was afraid and nervous. Ellis was very straight-forward when he explained things to me, telling what the best outcome could be as well as the worst. Through his knowledge, professionalism, and legal reputation, my case was resolved with the best possible outcome. I advise my friends not to make the same mistake that I did, but if they do I will highly recommend Ellis. I feel like I have been given a second chance.