Pennsylvania Criminal Lawyer
Who you choose as your PA criminal lawyer will have the biggest impact on your life. That is a fact! Choose wrong and it’s jail. Choose right and you might walk. With nearly 20 years of experience, The McShane Firm is Pennsylvania’s largest and best criminal law firm. We have a statewide practice and a national reputation. When you cannot lose, you call us.
“You’re under investigation” or “You’re under arrest”.
These three little words can cripple anyone with fear. When a cookie-cutter defense against criminal charges or DUI charges in PA just won’t cut it, we are here and we understand.
- Focusing on using forensic science and the judicious use of experts on PA drunk driving laws to help defend you, the citizen among us accused, the McShane Firm’s creative, aggressive, fearless approach leaves no stone unturned.
- We get results.
- We have proven track record in acquiring prosecutorial declinations to hearing our favorite two words “Not Guilty”.
- We have developed and employed unprecedented challenges including Supreme Court challenges.
- We list more cases for trial more than any other firm in this area.
- We are insistent, persistent and employ a dogged approach towards demanding discovery that unearths the government’s buried secrets.
- If the trial comes, then the government is the one with reason to fear: The McShane Firm know more than they do and works harder than they will.
When selecting which attorney to hire, please consider:
- Can you call anytime and talk to a live person?
- Do they offer payment plans with no credit checks?
- Will your attorney be attentive and explain what’s going on?
At The McShane Firm, we answer yes to all of these questions. We strive to provide you with a great customer service experience during this tough time.
Winning is what we do.
As a matter of course, we are ready to fight your DUI case by ethically bombarding the Government with extensive, meaningful and legitimate pre-trial motions, demonstrative evidence, photographs, witness testimony, videos, defense experts, essential cross-examination of the prosecution’s witnesses, and of course, your testimony, if desired or necessary.
Hire us before the DUI charges in PA come, and the charges may never come. We have achieved with effective representation at the inception of the criminal process:
- Prosecutorial Declinations (decision by the prosecuting agency not to go forward)
- The suppression of key evidence and confessions
- Not Guilty Jury and Judge verdicts, and/or
- Reduced the criminal exposure of our clients by cutting down the charges
Additional recommended reading:
- Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Hire an Attorney Now
- Read our over 400+ reviews from clients and peers
- What is ARD in PA (Costs and Fees)?
What we do
Even if you hire us after the federal indictment or criminal charges are filed, and our aggressiveness and effectiveness does not diminish. We deploy a team of litigation support specialists of DUI laws in PA and other professionals whose unique background and access to the latest digital technologies enables us to prepare our cases and tame the criminal beast. This critical pre-trial phase uncovers the government’s hidden secrets, predicates motions to dismiss, forces the prosecution to change strategies and limits evidence presented. We shape the case for the Judge and the Jury to show the true underbelly of governmental prosecutions against the individual. Our experience, dedication and creative approach to discovery, investigative inquires, and pre-trial motion practice give our clientèle every edge in the process. At every step of the way, in the increasingly hostile landscape of government prosecutions, we provide experienced, highly-trained representation for you whether it is:
- A modest case for a person accused of a single misdemeanor for drunk driving in PA
- Felony charge(s)
- The most complex multi-count continuing course of conduct case that is of national prominence, and/or
- A person facing a charge with the possibility of death of life in federal or state prison
We are unique
Our unique, nationally recognized team of highly skilled attorneys and professionals understands and appreciates the criminal prosecution target’s and of the defendant. We deliver. We are the PA criminal lawyers that just gets it done.
- We offer FREE initial consultations.
- We have a 24 Hour Emergency Hotline where a PA DUI attorney from the firm can be paged and immediately return your phone calls.
- We don’t sleep, so you can
- We also accept all major forms of payment including cash, money orders, major credit cards, and checks, as well as online and over-the-phone payments.
Our staff of experienced trial attorneys are highly motivated, highly educated and trained.
We have attended the new “Capital Cases Seminar” and have sufficient continuing legal education credits allowing us to handle capital homicide cases.
We have attended the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) 1st Annual “Making Sense of Science Seminar” which instructs attorneys on various diverse fields of forensic science including:
- Computer Forensic Evidence
- DNA collection and analysis
- Sexual Abuse cases
- the Forensics of Firearms
- Arson Investigation
- Crime Lab Errors
- Crime Scene Analysis
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Defending child pornography and criminal solicitation for sexual related cases involving children (like Dateline’s “How to Catch a Child Predator” style cases)
- Homicide Investigations
- Time of Death and Pathology, and
- Understanding Police Interrogations and Challenging False Confessions.
We have also attended the 1st annual Defending Drug Cases Seminar.
We also provide you with a tremendous amount of information on DUI charges in PA as at the end of the litigation, it is not just your case; it is your life and the decisions to be made impact not just you, but also your family and your future. To that end, we offer:
What is The McShane Difference?
- We take time to understand your personal needs and goals. Then we cater our legal strategy to fit you.
- We care about you. We listen and return phone calls. We will take time to explain things so you are not left anxious in the dark.
- We will make this as easy as possible. We will try to minimize the number of times you have to be in court which means less disruption of your work and family life.
Does this sound like what you are looking for in an attorney? If yes, then take the next step and call (717) 657-3900.
Do not talk to the Police until you talk to us… (Watch the Video to see why)
See the police officer’s response (He agrees 100% with the professor)
This is not what we simply do, but what we do very well…
We represent people in the following areas…
All Federal Charges and State Charges
Juvenile Law
What you lose with a conviction
- Age-based mandatory minimums in PA
- Misdemeanor Conviction Consequences in Pennsylvania
- Felony Conviction Consequences in Pennsylvania
- Is a summary offense the same as a misdemeanor?
Any of our attorneys would be an excellent choice for a criminal lawyer in anyone of the following cases:
- Driving Under the Influence – Driving After Imbibing
- We specialize in challenging Breathalyzer or Blood Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) results, the Reasonable and Articulable Suspicion for the Vehicle Stop, the Probable Cause to Arrest, the Standard Field Sobriety Test, Chain of Custody, O’Connell Warnings, DL-26 issues, Miranda Warnings, Roadblocks, License Suspension, and all aspects stemming from a DUI Stop.
- Alcohol Related Offenses
- Driving Under Suspension DUI Related
- Underage Drinking
- Homicide by Vehicle While DUI
- Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While DUI
- Corruption of Minors
- Misrepresentation of Age to Secure Alcohol
- Representing a Minor is of Age
- Inducement of Minors to Buy Liquor
- Hazing
- Incomplete Crimes
- Traffic or Vehicle Code Violations
- Driving Under Suspension
- Ignition Interlock violations
- Reckless Driving
- Careless Driving
- Fleeing or Alluding Police
- Homicide by Vehicle
- Aggravated Assault by Vehicle
- Accident Involving Death or Personal Injury
- Accident to Unattended Vehicles
- Altered or Forged Title of Plates
- Roadways Lane for Traffic
- Speeding
- Points on Licenses/License Suspension
- Occupational Limited License
- Probationary License
- Habitual Offenders
- License Suspension
- All Other Vehicle Code Infractions
- All Drug Charges – Federal and State
- Acquisition of a Controlled Substance by Fraud
- Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
- Simple Possession of A Controlled Substance
- Unlawful Delivery of A Controlled Substance
- Small Amount of Marijuana
- Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Contraband
- Criminal Use of Communication Facility
- Drug Delivery Resulting in Death
- Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities
- Corrupt Organizations
- Firearms Charges – Federal and State
- Persons Not to Possess, Use or Manufacture, Control, Sell or Transfer Firearms
- Firearms Not to be Carried without a License
- Possession of Firearm by Minor
- Sale or Transfer of Firearms
- Sale or Release of Weapons
- Sexual Offenses
- Rape
- Statutory Sexual Assault
- Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse
- Sexual Assault
- Institutional Sexual Assault
- Sexual Assault by Sports Official, Volunteer or Employee of a Nonprofit Organization
- Aggravated Indecent Assault
- Indecent Assault
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution
- Failure to Register Megan’s Law
- Unlawful Dissemination of Intimate Image
- Female Mutilation
- Incest
- Sexual Abuse of Children (PA’s Child Porn Law)
- Unlawful Contact with a Minor
- Sexual Exploitation of Children
- Open Lewdness
- Corruption of Minors in PA
- Unlawful Restraint
- Kidnapping
- Endangering the Welfare of Children
- Theft Charges
- Robbery
- Theft by Unlawful Taking
- Theft of Receiving Stolen Property
- Retail Theft
- Unauthorized Use of Automobile
- Theft by Deception
- Theft by Extortion
- Theft of Property Lost or Delivered by Mistake
- Theft of Services
- Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received
- Library Theft
- Theft of Leased Property
- Forgery
- Bad Checks
- Credit Cards Fraud
- Fraudulent or Deceptive Business Practices
- Identity Theft
- Assault Charges
- Internet Crimes
- Criminal Attempt Rape
- Criminal Attempt Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse
- Criminal Attempt Aggravated Indecent Assault
- Criminal Attempt Indecent Assault
- Indecent Exposure
- Unlawful Use of Computer
- Criminal Attempt Statutory Sexual Assault
- Open Lewdness
- Criminal Attempt Sexual Assault
- Corruption of Minors in PA
- Sexual Abuse of Children (PA’s Child Porn Law)
- Unlawful Dissemination of Intimate Image
- Sexual Exploitation of Children
- Unlawful Contact with Minor in PA
- Identity Theft
- Protection from Abuse
- Criminal Contempt/Indirect Criminal Contempt (violations of Protection From Abuse [PFA] orders)
- Subpoenas
- Property Crime Charges
- Miscellaneous charges
- Official Oppression
- Endangering Welfare of Children
- Perjury
- Unworn Falsification to Authorities
- False Alarms
- False Reports to Law Enforcement Officials
- Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence
- Tampering with Records or Identification
- Intimidation of Witness or Victims
- Retaliation Against Witness or Victims
- Obstruction of Justice
- Hindering Apprehension
- False Identification to Law Enforcement Authorities
- Escape
- Disorderly Conduct
- Possessing Instrument of Crime
- Hazing
- False Reports to Law Enforcement Authorities
Links dealing with various issues:
- Eyewitness Identification Reform Blog
- The Bluhm Blog: False Confession Blog
- The Innocence Project Blog
Our Clients are entitled to a Bill of Rights which states:
- Our clients have the right to expect, we will be proactive in communication. You will hear it from us first. We will return all phone calls, texts and emails promptly.
- Our clients have the right to expect plain speaking, straight shooting. No B. S.
- Our clients have the right to expect us to do it right the first time, every time.
- Our clients have the right to expect us to be on time and professionally prepared for all court appearances, and all meetings.
- Our clients have the right to expect that they will be fully informed at all times.
This is our promise to you. Call today to get us on your side: (717) 657-3900.
In conclusion
We pride ourselves on what we do. You could just choose any old lawyer. Maybe let the price and who is the cheapest PA criminal lawyer you can find make your decision. But the old saying is true: a cheap criminal lawyer is no good, and a great criminal lawyer doesn’t come cheap.
Additional recommended reading:
Additional blog posts that may interest you:
- ARD costs
- Why the Time to Fight is Now
- Call Me First, Not the Police Back
- Can a federal law enforcement officer be prosecuted by the local DA?
- Can COVID-19 Affect My Sentence
- Can theft charges be dropped before a hearing?
- Criminal Trespass in Pennsylvania
- Is a summary offense the same as a misdemeanor?
- New SCOPA ruling about hearsay and preliminary hearings
- Opinion piece: Is American Justice turning into American Idol?
- Underage drinking party: Law and consequences