Oxford – Lancaster County – Criminal Defense

Being charged with a crime is a scary experience and can bring great uncertainty to your life. Criminal trials take time and resources, and a conviction can result in imprisonment and problems finding housing and employment. A criminal defense attorney can defend you against the charges and work to mitigate the worst consequences of a conviction.

If you are facing criminal charges in Oxford, Lancaster County, contact Chieppor & Egner, LLC. We can provide criminal defense representation to protect your rights and freedoms. Even a minor criminal conviction can have undesirable effects, so it’s best to secure an attorney to discuss options

Contact us today to speak to a criminal defense attorney serving Oxford, Lancaster County.

Do I Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?

Some of our clients are hesitant to secure an attorney. They may feel like hiring an attorney is a tacit admission of guilt. After all, why would they need a lawyer if they didn’t do anything wrong?

The reality is that the American criminal justice system, despite its grandeur, is imperfect. Police don’t always follow the rules when investigating crimes, and the system doesn’t always respect your rights. Hiring an attorney is not an admission of guilt but simply a way to ensure you get a fair trial. An attorney can ensure the prosecution follows the rules of procedure and protect you from state overreach.

The criminal defense attorneys at Chieppor & Egner, LLC, collectively have decades of trial experience in Oxford and greater Lancaster County. Our unique perspective is informed by our past work as state prosecutors, which gives us an edge in trials. We know how to defend against common prosecution tactics and can argue against them for a case dismissal, charge reduction, or outright acquittal. Reach out today to discuss options and strategy with one of our criminal defense attorneys.

Criminal Cases We Manage in Oxford

Founding attorneys Jonathan Chieppor and Alex Egner practice across a wide range of criminal cases. We can apply our broad legal knowledge and trial experience to provide personalized criminal defense services.

DUI

Pennsylvania punishes DUI harshly, and even a first-time conviction can result in mandatory probation and substance abuse treatment. Multiple DUIs and aggravating conditions can result in harsher criminal and administrative punishments, like jail time or license suspensions. Our DUI defense attorneys can defend you from drunk driving charges and work with the prosecution to reduce criminal penalties.

Drug Charges

We also defend our clients against charges for possession, distribution, and trafficking of controlled substances, including marijuana, heroin, meth, cocaine, and prescription drugs. We have experience as prosecutors prosecuting drug crimes and understand both sides of the courtroom.

Theft

Theft charges can be prosecuted at several levels depending on the value of the stolen property and aggravating factors, such as the use of physical force. Common defenses to theft charges are a lack of knowledge or constitutional violations. A restitution agreement can help reduce theft charges and avoid the worst consequences of a conviction.

Traffic Violations

Traffic violations are usually low-level summary offenses but can still carry burdensome fines and license suspensions. We can help you contest traffic violations and avoid undesirable administrative penalties and restrictions on driving.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence allegations can destroy your social life, reputation, and family. These types of cases can delve into personal and private matters. We can defend you against domestic violence charges while respecting your and your family’s privacy and dignity.

Probation and Parole Violations

We can defend you against criminal charges for violating the terms of your probation or parole.

Firearms Restoration

If you are convicted of certain crimes, you may lose your right to own a firearm. We can help you appeal firearms prohibitions and restore your constitutional rights to gun ownership.

How Does Pennsylvania Classify Crimes?

18 Pa. Stat. 106 lays out the state’s criminal charge classifications. Pennsylvania splits crimes into three categories, from most to least severe: felonies, misdemeanors, and summary offenses.

Felonies

Felonies are the highest level of criminal charge and carry the harshest penalties. Pennsylvania divides felonies into three degrees:

• First-degree felonies carry a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $25,000 (e.g., rape, arson, kidnapping)
• Second-degree felonies are punishable by up to ten years in prison and a maximum fine of $25,000 (e.g., aggravated assault, burglary, sexual assault)
• Third-degree felonies carry up to seven years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines (e.g., bribery, theft between $2,000 and $100,000)

Murder of the first, second, and third degrees have unique classifications and carry maximum penalties of death, life in prison, and 40 years in prison, respectively.

Misdemeanors

Misdemeanor crimes in Pennsylvania are split into three degrees:

• First-degree misdemeanors carry up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 (e.g., simple assault or theft under $2,000).
• Second-degree misdemeanors have a maximum two-year prison term and a $5,000 fine (e.g., shoplifting under $200 or prostitution).
• Third-degree misdemeanors are punishable by one year in prison and a $2,500 fine (e.g., disorderly conduct and harassment).

Misdemeanor crimes that don’t have a specified degree are treated as third-degree misdemeanors for purposes of punishment and sentencing.

Summary Offenses

Summary offenses are the lowest crime classification and may carry a prison term no longer than 90 days. Summary offenses can be divided into traffic and non-traffic summary offenses.

• Traffic summary offenses include speeding or running red lights.
• Non-traffic summary offenses include underage drinking or criminal mischief.

Can You Expunge Crimes in Oxford, Lancaster County?

Pennsylvania has two methods of clearing your permanent record of criminal convictions: expungement and pardon.

With criminal expungement, the courts will seal your records, making it as if your conviction never occurred. Expungement effectively destroys your conviction record, so it won’t show up on background checks, with a few limited exceptions. Below are examples of expungeable convictions:

• Summary convictions at least five years old
• Juvenile convictions (adjudications)
• Charges that did not result in a conviction
• DUI upon completing an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD)
• Felony and misdemeanor convictions for individuals over the age of 70

Misdemeanor and felony convictions are not expungeable in Pennsylvania unless you first receive a pardon from the governor. A pardon grants you clemency for a specific conviction and can restore any rights you may have lost. Once you receive a pardon for a misdemeanor or felony conviction, you can apply to have that conviction expunged. A pardon can theoretically remove any criminal conviction, but the process of applying for clemency can take several years.

Criminal Defense Representation for Oxford Residents

A criminal conviction can upend your life and make it harder to find housing or employment in the future. If you are facing criminal charges in Oxford, you need an attorney who will fight for your rights and interests. Chieppor & Egner, LLC, dedicates itself to pursuing justice for the accused and serving the community. We pride ourselves on our friendly, approachable, and professional demeanor and strive to help individuals and their families as they navigate through life’s difficult circumstances.

Contact our offices online or call today for a case consultation with a criminal defense attorney serving Oxford, Lancaster County. Your freedoms and liberties may hang in the balance, so don’t delay.