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The Law Offices of
CHESTER COUNTY
CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
CHESTER COUNTY CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER
Our office represents clients in the Chester County court system. We handle cases at every magistrate in Chester County and all Chester County Court of Common Pleas matters. If you have been charged with a crime in Chester County, contact our office today for a free consultation.
CITIES SERVED IN CHESTER COUNTY
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West Chester
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Downingtown
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Coatsville
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Phoenixville
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West Goshen
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Berwyn Square
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Tredyffrin
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Chadds Ford
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All of Chester County
CHESTER COUNTY DUI LAWYER
A Chester County driver can be charged with a DUI if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is over .08%. Police officers will usually seek to establish impairment by requesting that you perform field sobriety tests and a portable breath test. A Chester County DUI conviction carries severe penalties which can include jail, loss of license, and steep fines. Because of this, it is important to seek the counsel of an experienced Chester County DUI lawyer at the earliest possible moment.
Chester County DUI Lawyer, Michael F. Niznik, has successfully handled numerous DUI charges in the Chester County Court System. It is important to seek the counsel of an experienced CHESTER COUNTY lawyer when facing a charge as they know the nuances of the Chester County court system.
DEFENSES TO A DUI CHARGE IN CHESTER COUNTY
· Probable cause: A Chester County police officer must have probable cause to pull your vehicle over and to request that you submit to field sobriety tests.
· BAC incorrect: Many times, the machines used to test your BAC in Chester County are incorrectly used or incorrectly calibrated. In these instances, a suppression motion may be appropriate to suppress the results of this incorrect test.
· Defendant was not under the influence: Often, a Chester County police officer will cite subjective observations to charge an individual with a DUI. These observations can be incorrect and this error can lead to a dismissal of your charges.
CHESTER COUNTY CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
A criminal charge in Chester County begins with an arrest and Preliminary Arraignment. Chester County Criminal Defense Attorney, Michael F. Niznik, will assist you from the very first stage of your case. Contact our office as soon as possible for a free consultation and to allow Attorney Niznik to begin building a winning defense strategy.
CHESTER COUNTY SPEEDING TICKET LAWYER
If you are charged with a traffic violation in Chester County, you may be facing points on your license, a license suspension, or even jail. Chester County traffic attorney, Michael F. Niznik, is well-versed in the traffic court system and will seek to minimize the impact this citation has on your life.
CRIMINAL PROCESS AFTER
ARREST IN CHESTER COUNTY
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH A DUI ARREST IN CHESTER COUNTY
A DUI or criminal arrest in Chester County typically begins with a traffic stop. An officer will usually cite a traffic violation (weaving, red light violation, etc.) to justify the stop. After approaching your vehicle, the officer may ask you to complete a series of field sobriety tests. These test may include following a pen with your eyes, walking line, or lifting one leg. The officer may also ask you to submit to a breath test. After completing their investigation, you may be arrested and taken down to the police station where you will be placed before a Judge for your Preliminary Arraignment.
PRELIMINARY ARRAIGNMENT IN CHESTER COUNTY
A Chester County Preliminary Arraignment occurs before a Magisterial District Judge. The purpose of this proceeding is for Judge to inform you of the charges against you, inform you of your right to be represented by an attorney, set bail, and schedule the Preliminary Hearing.
Often times, for low graded crimes such as DUI, the Magistrate will set your bail at ROR “Released on your own Recognizance” or unsecured bail.
ROR means that you do not have to post any money to be released from custody and you will not have to meet any bail conditions during your bail period.
Unsecured bail means that you do not have to post any money to be released from custody pending your trial but you do have to meet certain conditions during your release. These conditions may include being monitored by a bail agency or a stay-away order from the complainant.
If you are charged with a more serious crime, the Judge may require you to post money to be released from custody pending your trial or may deny bail all together.
PRELIMINARY HEARING IN CHESTER COUNTY
A Chester County Preliminary Hearing is the first substantive hearing in the criminal justice process. At this stage, the prosecutor must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that a crime may have been committed and the crime was likely committed by the defendant.
A Preliminary Hearing in Chester County is not a trial and there are restrictions on what types of evidence a defense attorney can admit. Nonetheless, a preliminary hearing is a valuable tool to establish testimony and elicit facts for trial.
In some cases, it may be possible to have charges changed, reduced or dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing.
Once the Preliminary Hearing is concluded, any charges that are held for court are moved to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas for a Formal Arraignment.
FORMAL ARRAIGNMENT IN CHESTER COUNTY
Any charges that have been held for court will be formally read against you at the Formal Arraignment. Much like a Preliminary Arraignment, at the Formal Arraignment, you are advised you of your rights and asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
PRE TRIAL CONFERENCE OR CALL OF THE LIST IN CHESTER COUNTY
Depending on where you were arrested, after the Formal Arraignment your case will be scheduled for a Pre Trial Conference or Call of the List. Both hearings serve the same purpose – to advise the trial Judge of the status of the case. If a plea deal has been negotiated, many times the case can be disposed of at this time. If a trial needs to be scheduled, the Judge will be advised and schedule the trial accordingly.
TRIAL IN CHESTER COUNTY
Cases that do not reach a Plea agreement are listed for trial. Trial can occur before a jury or as a bench trial with the Judge sitting as the jury. The burden of the Commonwealth at trial is beyond all reasonable doubt. This means that the Commonwealth must prove your guilt on each and every charge beyond all reasonable doubt. If your cases is being heard before a jury, all 12 jurors must agree that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt for you to be convicted.
SENTENCING HEARING IN CHESTER COUNTY
If you enter into a negotiated guilty plea or are found guilty at trial, your case will proceed to a sentencing hearing. At this hearing, your attorney will be able to present evidence of justification, rehabilitation, etc. After each side has made their arguments, the Judge will hand down his sentence.
CHESTER COUNTY MAGISTRATES
For any criminal charge in Montgomery County, the first hearing in your case will take place before one of the following Chester County Magistrate Judges.
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Mark A. Bruno
201 West Market Street
Suite 1307
P.O. Box 2746
West Chester, PA 19380
phone: 610-431-4814
fax: 610-431-4018
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Thomas W. Tartaglio
1572 Paoli Pike
West Chester, PA 19380
phone: 610-430-1966
fax: 610-430-8641
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Gregory V. Hines
256 East Lincoln Highway
Coatesville, PA 19320
phone: 610-384-3159
fax: 610-384-5163
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Marian T. Vito
21 West Market Street, Suite 100
West Chester, PA 19382
phone: 610-344-6622
fax: 610-429-4644
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Grover E. Koon
Highlands Corporate Center
615 Sands Court
Coatesville, PA 19320
phone: 610-380-3325
fax: 610-380-4774
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Theodore P. Michaels, Jr.
347 Bridge Street
Phoenixville, PA 19460
phone: 610-935-1503
fax: 610-935-7427
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William D. Kraut
601 Westtown Road
Suite 110
P.O. Box 2747
West Chester, PA 19380
phone: 610-436-5757
fax: 610-431-5755
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Lori Novak Donatelli
75 East Uwchlan Avenue
Suite 110
Exton, PA 19341
phone: 610-524-7456
fax: 610-524-6341
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DeAngelo
1130 Ridge Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
phone: 610-469-1910
fax: 610-469-1913
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Scott A. Massey
305 South Third Street
Oxford, PA 19363
phone: 610-932-4305
fax: 610-932-7649
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Michael J. Cabry, III
4824 Horseshoe Pike
Honey Brook, PA 19344
phone: 610-273-3726
fax: 610-273-4392
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Nancy A. Gill
315 West First Avenue
Building 3
Parkesburg, PA 19365
phone: 610-857-5547
fax: 610-857-5841
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Analisa S. Sondergaard
Chesterbrook Shopping Center
500 Chesterbrook Blvd.
Suite B3/B4
Wayne, PA 19087
phone: 610-647-6533
fax: 610-647-6535
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Jeffrey J. Valocchi
231 Boot Road
Downingtown, PA 19335
phone: 610-269-5250
fax: 610-269-5017
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John R. Bailey
Whiteland Business Park
748 Springdale Drive
Suite 110
Exton, PA 19341
phone: 610-594-7728
fax: 610-594-7896
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Matthew Seavey
914 West Cypress Street
Kennett Square, PA 19348
phone: 610-444-6338
fax: 610-444-4368
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Maisano
916 West Cypress Street
Kennett Square, PA 19348
phone: 610-444-6330
fax: 610-444-6429
If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime, do not delay in contacting an attorney. Chester County Attorney Michael F. Niznik will review your case and offer you a free consultation regarding the charges.