Criminal Charges - you are not alone, we are here to help

At Ambler Law Offices, our lawyers have defended all manner of criminal defense cases, from homicide to speeding tickets, and everything inbetween, including many serious drug cases in both Pennsylvania and Virginia. Below is information about drug-case defense in Virginia, and below that is information for Pennsylvania.

VIRGINIA DRUG CASE INFORMATION: 

Drugs are separated into different categories called 'schedules' in Virginia. The schedule of drug you are charged with possessing will dictate the punishment you could possibly receive. For example, possession of a Schedule I or Schedule II drug is a Class 5 felony. The penalties for a Class 5 felony possession conviction can include up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $2500. Likewise, possession of a Schedule III drug is a Class 1 misdemeanor. The penalties for a Class 1 misdemeanor possession conviction can include up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

These charges are then often further split into simple possession crimes or possession with intent to distribute crimes. 

This classification will also change the possible penalties associated with your charge.   

The good news is that there are a variety of defenses at your disposal. 

Depending on how the police became involved with your case, there are often 4th Amendment defenses available. These can include challenges to search warrants, and even challenges to searches where police claim to have had permission to conduct the search. We may also be able to contest the chemical tests of the substance that the state has alleged to be a controlled substance or contest the amount of the controlled substance alleged to have been in your possession.  Alternatively, we may be able to advocate for treatment instead of jail.  If you have been charged with a drug-related offense in Virginia, contact our office at (540) 550-4236 for a free consultation!

PENNSYLVANIA DRUG OFFENSES:

Pennsylvania law regulating drugs is commonly called the "Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetics Act."  There are a multitude of drug-related offenses that you can be charged with in Pennsylvania, and often the difference between misdemeanor and felony charges comes down to two factors: the number of similar prior offenses that you have had, and the amount of drugs you allegedly possesed, and whether that amount indicates an intention to engage in the business of drug distribution.

Convictions for drug defenses can affect everything from your ability to possess or carry firearms, to your ability to hold certain jobs, and even your freedom.  At times, individuals charged with drug offenses really need treatement instead of jail.  Ambler Law Offices' lawyers undertand these nuances, and can help you defend these types of cases.  If you have been charged, contact our Pennsylvania office at (717) 525-5822 for a free consultation!

At Ambler Law Offices, our lawyers have defended all manner of criminal defense cases, from homicide to speeding tickets, and everything inbetween, including many driving-while-intoxicated cases in both Pennsylvania and Virginia. If you scroll down you will find information about DUI/DWI-case defense in Virginia, and below that is similar information for Pennsylvania.

VIRGINA DWI: 

DWI is a serious crime. A first offense in Virginia is a class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2500. Simply being charged with DWI will commonly lead to an administrative license suspension before your trial. A conviction will also come with additional requirements, such as time spent attending VASAP classes, license suspensions, and ignition interlock devices. Depending on your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) you may face mandatory jail time. Upon a first offense conviction, a BAC of between .15 and .20 is punished with a mandatory 5 days in jail, while a BAC on a first offense of over .20 is punishable by a mandatory 10 days in jail. Subsequent convictions carry higher penalties and longer suspensions.    

The good news is that there are often a variety of defenses at your disposal. An attorney may be able to help you fight the administrative license suspension before trial. 

Prior to trial we will also evaluate what defense you may use to prevent an underlying conviction. The could include:

• Invalid stop (Lack of reasonable suspicion)
• Invalid arrest (Lack of probable cause)
• Challenges to field sobriety tests
• Challenging the breath test
• Challenging the blood test
• Constitutional challenges to procedures 

If you have been charged with a DWI in Virginia, contact our office for a free consultation at (540) 550-4236.

PENNSYLVANIA DUI LAWYER:

Penalties for DUI related charges can vary based on your impairment at the time of arrest. Impairment is based on an individual’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). In Pennsylvania there are three levels of impairment:

· General Impairment is between .08 - .099%. 

· A high BAC is considered between .10 - .159%. 

· The highest BAC is considered between .16% and above, and can also be charged for "DUID" or drug-related impairment.

Additionally, penalties are based off the number of previous offenses you have. For example, a first-time offender with a general impairment can face up to 6 months’ probation and a $300 fine. By contrast, a second time offender with a general impairment can face up to 6 months in jail, up to a $2,500 fine, and a one-year license suspension. 

The good news is that there are often a variety of defenses at your disposal. An attorney may even be able to help you fight the administrative license suspension before trial.  Your discussions with a DUI lawyer can also help you prepare mitigating evidence to work out a plea, or decide to help you prepare for a trial.

Prior to making a decision on a plea vs trial, we will also evaluate what defense you may use in an effort to prevent a conviction should you go to trial. These legal issues could include:

• Invalid stop (lack of reasonable suspicion)
• Invalid arrest (lack of probable cause)
• Challenging the field sobriety test
• Challenging the breath test
• Challenging the blood test
• Constitutional challenges to procedures

Finally, it is possible to be considered for entry into a diversionary program, such as Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Program (ARD). 

The ARD program is reserved for first-time offenders. The program is designed to allow first-time offenders to complete alternative methods of rehabilitation in order to avoid entering the criminal justice system. These alternative methods may include drug and alcohol counseling, community service, restitution, etc. If you were charged with a DUI-related offense, you may be eligible to receive entry into the ARD program. The benefit of completing the program, is that upon your completion, your charge will be dismissed and will be eligible for expungement!

A skilled attorney at Ambler Law can help explore these possibilities.

The consequences of a criminal conviction can be serious. You may face jail time, fines, and license suspension. There could also be collateral consequences such as loss of firearm and voting rights. A criminal conviction may impact current or future employment opportunities and professional licenses. A conviction for DWI will almost certainly increase the cost of future car insurance and will make obtaining car insurance more difficult. 

Take advantage of a FREE consultation with the Carlisle, Pennsylvania DUI attorneys at Ambler Law Offices, LLC to understand your options by calling (717) 525-5822. If nothing else, you will learn what defense strategies are available.

In both Pennsylvania and Virginia criminal-defense lawyers from Ambler Law Offices stand ready to meet with you and offer free consultation to determine whether they are the right fit for your criminal defense.  

Choosing a lawyer to defend against a criminal charge is  difficult - you need the right mix of personality, judgement, and knowledge for a successful defense attorney.  You need to be able to communicate with, and trust your lawyer.  Additionally, you need to be able to afford your lawyer.

Between regularly attending trainings to update their knowledge, team collaboration, and an office that focuses on communication, we believe we can be the right lawyers for you.  In order to help people afford their defense, we offer no-interest payment plans for certain cases.

Call our Carlisle, PA office at (717) 525-5822 or our Winchester and Front Royal Virginia offices at (540) 550-4236 to schedule a free consultation for criminal charges!