A skilled Criminal Defense Lawyer in the Lehigh Valley is critical for your freedom.

When you need a criminal defense lawyer in the Lehigh Valley, it’s important to find one who knows the criminal courts and procedures in this area. Kitay Law Offices is experienced in defending against criminal charges in the Lehigh Valley.

We represent those charged with all types of crimes in the Lehigh Valley. Importantly, this includes DUI/DWI offenses, drug cases, violent crimes like assault or battery, and even theft-related offenses which include burglary and robbery. Our Lehigh Valley criminal defense attorneys are also experienced defending more serious felonies; such as domestic violence, rape, and murder.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your criminal charges and develop a strong defense.

What’s the best approach to handling a criminal defense case?

The fact is that no two cases are the same. For this reason, we take a personalized approach to each client’s case. When you first meet with one of our criminal defense attorneys in the Lehigh Valley, we will take the time to get to know your situation and any extenuating factors that may be helpful in building your defense.

At the same time, however, we follow an effective process to help develop the strongest possible defense to each case:

1. For starters, we make the first move before charges are filed.

The best way to fight criminal charges is to prevent them from being filed in the first place. In certain situations, we can communicate with officers, investigators, and detectives early on. This can help clear up any misunderstandings and avoid charges altogether.

2. If charges have already been filed, we develop defenses and attack the prosecution’s case.

After charges are filed, an experienced criminal defense attorney in the Lehigh Valley will develop the most effective defense possible for your case. This includes an investigation into the specific facts of your case. It may uncover helpful witnesses, statements that contradict the investigating officer, or evidence that was obtained illegally.

Sometimes, the police obtain damaging evidence in an improper manner. They may have violated a process, procedure, or one of your constitutional rights. If so, we can fight to have this evidence excluded from any potential trial. Once excluded, the prosecution’s case may fall apart and you may go free.

3. Next, we negotiate a resolution or get your charges dropped.

From the start, the experienced Lehigh Valley criminal defense attorneys at Kitay Law Offices work to obtain the best possible result in your case. Sometimes, this may include working out a plea bargain. This process involves discussing the strengths and weaknesses of your case with the District Attorney and negotiating a guilty plea to a lesser charge.

In other cases, we may be able to get your charges completely dropped. If our investigation uncovers severe problems with the prosecution’s evidence against you, the District Attorney may agree to let you go free. Especially in these situations, it is important to have a criminal defense attorney on your side who is familiar with the courts, judges, and District Attorneys in the Lehigh Valley.

4. If necessary, we will fight your criminal charges at trial.

While we hope to reach a negotiated resolution or get your charges dropped, we build each case as if it is going to trial. The experienced criminal defense lawyers in the Lehigh Valley at Kitay Law Offices are ready to defend you at trial.

What is the criminal court process in the Lehigh Valley?

With our office located on Union Boulevard in Allentown, PA, we have extensive experience with the criminal court process in the Lehigh Valley. Here is a general outline of the process for most cases:

1. Charges are filed

Your case typically starts when the investigating police officer files charges against you. You will then receive a Summons in the mail and be asked to attend a hearing in front of a Magisterial District Justice.

2. Preliminary Arraignment

This is the first hearing in your case in front of the Magisterial District Justice (MDJ). Here, the MDJ will set your bail and schedule your next court hearing. You are required to attend this hearing.

3. Preliminary Hearing

The Preliminary Hearing is your first opportunity to challenge the evidence the prosecution brings against you. It is highly important that you have an experienced Lehigh Valley criminal defense attorney on your side during this hearing.

Importantly, the Commonwealth must demonstrate that it has sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. Therefore, your attorney will be able to cross-examine witnesses and potentially get the charges dropped.

Depending on the facts of your case, you may choose to waive the Preliminary Hearing. However, this is a very important decision that you should discuss with your attorney.

4. Formal Arraignment

If your case reaches the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas (which is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania), the Formal Arraignment will be your first hearing in this court. Here, the judge will give you instructions about certain rights and deadlines. And if you have previously negotiated a plea bargain, you will enter your plea during this hearing.

5. Motions

An experienced criminal defense lawyer in the Lehigh Valley can file petitions to strengthen your defense. While this may not occur in every case, motions can be critical to ensure your rights are protected. A couple of examples include:

• Habeas Corpus – Here, you are asking the court to dismiss your charges. To be successful, you must show that the Commonwealth’s evidence against you is not sufficient to prove the charges, even if a jury were to believe all of the prosecutor’s case.
• Suppression Motion – Your lawyer will file a Motion to Suppress if he or she believes that a piece of evidence against you has been obtained illegally. This could be due to the violation of a process, procedure, or constitutional right. Depending on the other evidence against you in the case, throwing out one piece of evidence may cause the rest of the prosecution’s case to fall apart.

6. Criminal Trial

Ultimately, your case will go to trial if you have not negotiated a resolution and the Commonwealth has not dropped the charges against you. In the Lehigh Valley, criminal trials can occur with or without a jury. If there is no jury, it is commonly called a “bench trial.”

A Lehigh Valley Criminal Defense Attorney at Kitay Law Offices will fight to protect your rights

Our law firm is conveniently located to the entire Lehigh Valley and our criminal defense lawyers have experience defending clients throughout the Lehigh Valley courts. This includes both jury trials and bench trials.

Before you enter a plea, it is important that you contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer in the Lehigh Valley to discuss your case. We are here to protect you every step of the way. Contact Kitay Law Offices for a free consultation today!