Fighting for you at the PA preliminary hearing.
A preliminary hearing is a type of criminal hearing held before a Magisterial District Judge. A preliminary hearing normally follows service by a summons or by a preliminary arraignment after being arrested and taken before the Court. When you are facing a preliminary hearing in Pennsylvania, speak to one of our aggressive, reasonable criminal attorneys. Learn about the Preliminary Hearing process in Pennsylvania. Contact our team at (888) 643-0006.
The Preliminary hearing process in Pennsylvania
Learn about the preliminary hearing process: soon after you have had a preliminary arraignment or have been arraigned, an initial hearing or "preliminary hearing" is scheduled before a Pennsylvania Magisterial District Judge to determine if the District Attorney's office has enough evidence for the case to go to trial at the Court of Common Pleas.
The purpose of a preliminary hearing is not determine if you are guilty or not guilty but where there is a "prima facie" of evidence to proceed. This usually means that the prosecutor must produce witnesses and evidence to show a "reasonable jury" that you committed the offense.
This is a "probable cause" decision and is based only on the prosecutor's evidence and not the defense. As your defense attorneys we have the right to contest testimony and interrogate and cross-examine any witnesses that our presented by the District Attorney's office as well as argue and advocated for you for a dismissal of the charges for lack of evidence.
Often the Magisterial District Judge will not allow discussion regarding the legality of the evidence or consider suppressing the evidence or even question the honesty of the prosecutor's witnesses. The preliminary hearing judge will often explain that it is not his role to judge the honesty of the witnesses but only to determine if the prosecutor has enough evidence to prosecute the case at trial.
A preliminary hearing in Pennsylvania often provides the opportunity for us to get the charges dismissed, withdrawn or reduced by negotiation and dealing between your criminal defense lawyer and the District Attorney's office. Contact us now at (877) 529-2422 to learn more.
Admit Nothing Until You Talk to Us
Whenever you or facing a preliminary hearing in Pennsylvania for a summary, misdemeanor or felony criminal offense, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately. Make no mistake about it. Speaking to a District Attorney or the police officer is not a cooperative process; it is adversarial in nature. Do not even think about trying to plea with the Magisterial District Judge or his staff because it is improper and may be viewed as an illegal attempt to manipulate the court system. Speak to one of our experienced lawyers serving Pennsylvania. With the insight of a former prosecutor now serving as a criminal defense attorney, we can give you the insight you need and speak to the prosecution on your behalf.
Protecting Your Rights when facing a Preliminary Hearing
Do not quit or try the go it alone strategy when faced with the seriousness of a preliminary hearing in Pennsylvania. You need aggressive representation ready to question the prosecution's case and attack the legality of the police's actions. You need a law firm that staffs seasoned criminal defense attorneys and a former prosecutor. You need Ciccarelli Lawyers.
Contact Us
You also need criminal defense lawyers both passionate in what they do and compassionate in their treatment of their clients. You deserve a lawyer that is available when you need him, treats you with respect, and protects your rights vigorously. We make your choice all the clearer with locations throughout the metropolitan Philadelphia Pennsylvania, including Center City Philadelphia, West Chester, Downingtown/Exton, Malvern, Kennett Square, Lancaster, King of Prussia, Plymouth Meeting, Radnor and Springfield. Now is the time for action. Choose the winning strategy of Lee A. Ciccarelli. Together our legal team will give you the edge.
