According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, or OPM, “Being an ex-offender does not prevent you from obtaining Federal Employment. OPM, or the hiring agency, considers your criminal conduct in determining your suitability but there are no general prohibitions against hiring you.” So, you can relax about being eligible for a government position with a criminal record. But it can be a little challenging as the OPM also notes, “There are some regulations which will prohibit you from working in certain positions if you have a specific conviction.”

For example, according to the Public Law 1-4-208 Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997, it has been stated that people convicted of domestic violence are prohibited from all such employments involving shipping, possessing, transporting, or receiving ammunition or firearms. This involves all the misdemeanors and will apply irrespective of whether the domestic violence was considered as a federal or state crime.

Or, take, for example, FBI employment will disqualify any kind of felony convictions, right from the use of illegal drugs to failing to appear for a urine test including marijuana which might be legalized or at least decriminalized for medical and recreational reasons by many states but it is still illegitimate under the federal law. Even many current employees in the FBI have been terminated for such misdemeanors or felony charges. Therefore, your job with a criminal record will also depend on which government agency you are pursuing for the job.

The OPM provides several products and tools to the varied government agencies to run a background check on the potential employees, which will help you to screen the applicants with a criminal record. Conducted generally by the Federal Investigative Services (FIS) and formulating the foundation for the determination of fitness, making security clearance, or suitability of the job, such investigations draw its authority from a wide range of statutes and executive orders.

A law passed in Pennsylvania in 2018 and signed by the governor may help people who wish to apply for government jobs but have criminal records. The law, called the Clean Slate Bill, allows for the sealing of records in certain criminal cases. An offender must have paid all debts ordered by the court and been conviction-free for ten years of an offense that required them to serve a year or longer in jail. The offender who meets these qualifications must petition the court to get their records sealed.

In other cases, records are sealed automatically. Though still carrying the ten-year stipulation, a person who is convicted of a second- or third-degree misdemeanor and who served fewer than two years in prison, will have their record sealed at the end of the ten-year conviction-free period with no action on their part.

So, have you been charged with a criminal offense in Pennsylvania? Or do you know someone who is facing criminal charges? Then, you must realize that this will not just lead to incarceration or imposition of hefty fines, but you could actually lose a number of professional opportunities that might turn your dream career into a reality. Therefore, it is essential that someone who has been subjected to an arrest for a misdemeanor or a felony in this state must resort to a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer or any other criminal defense attorney in Pennsylvania. He or she will be able to provide you with the right legal representation so that your interests can be protected in an effective manner without compromising on any job role that you want to pursue including the one under the federal government.

You will require the assistance of a good criminal defense attorney to defend you in this matter. Whenever a large monetary penalty is involved, a defense attorney will guide you with how to deal with the inability to make payments for this fine.

If you want to know how a defendant deals with this kind of a situation, you have to learn about a few basic things here. A monetary penalty for a criminal charge is a certain amount that you will have to pay to the court owing to being involved in any sort of criminal activity.

The amount of monetary penalty you will be subjected to will depend on the statute which encompasses the law that was broken. And the fine is enforceable depending on the increment payments till a particular due date which is provided in the sentencing order, a document that is offered by the court in question declaring the fact that you are subjected to the payment of a certain fine.

Now, the question ‘what if you cannot make the payments?’

Some courts will enable you to build a payment plan if it is not possible for you to pay for the criminal fine. This particular plan basically permits all the defendants to comply with the penalty as had been ordered by the court.

Despite the payment plan, if you still cannot afford to pay the fines, you will have to work on additional measures with the court so as to be able to comply with the penalty. As per the guidelines of the federal law, the court has the power to resentence you to incarceration which was, otherwise, not given because of your agreement to paying the fine. If this monetary punishment was combined with imprisonment for a substantial period, then the courts can use their discretion to add more time to this original sentence. Not paying the monetary penalty is considered to be contempt of court, which might also lead to more stringent and harsher sentences.

If you are on probation and do not pay your fines, you are considered to have violated your probation. This will lead to a required court appearance and the revocation of your probation. Instead of finishing your probation, you will go to jail to complete your sentence.

You must also pay attention to the property liens with regard to the criminal fines you might be subjected to. Refusal to make the penalty payments can enable the courts to implement a lien against to your property, and that will involve real estate foreclosure, wage garnishment, or execution and sale of the property owned by you. These are basically ways in which you can be persuaded to make the payment.

There are many reasons why you should be diligent about paying the fines you were ordered to pay for your criminal charges. You risk going to jail and losing your job, or future earnings from a job and income tax refunds.

Have you or someone you know been convicted of criminal charges and punished with a hefty monetary payment? Then, the only resort you have is a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer. He or she will have years of experience in defending people against all kinds of felony charges or types of misdemeanors. So, when it comes to the payment of penalties, he or she can help you protect your or the family member’s rights on your behalf. It is crucial that you understand the seriousness of the matter and consult one of the best criminal defense attorneys to help you with avoiding criminal fines.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance, stated in a 2011 report, “While there are no exact estimates of the proportion of cases that are resolved through plea bargaining, scholars estimate that about 90 to 95% of both federal and state court cases are resolved through this process.” And it perfectly aligns with the statistics presented in the report showcasing that about 71,795 out of 75,573 cases under the federal district court were concluded with a guilty plea.

What is a Plea Bargaining or a Plea Deal Arrangement?

A plea bargaining deal is an arrangement by the prosecution and the defense whereby the defendant agrees to plead guilty for a certain offense in return for some concessions from the prosecution. If the defendant pleads guilty to the original charges he was subjected to or to an offense of a lower level, it might help to get lighter penalties for the defendant. Take, for example, the first degree misdemeanors in Pennsylvania, which require a fine amount of up to $10,000 along with a sentence of 5 years imprisonment, but the second-degree misdemeanor penalties are just restricted to a fine of $5,000 with a maximum of 2 years imprisonment.

There are various types of plea bargaining as given below:

Pennsylvania plea deals are governed by the regulations of 234 Pa. Code Rule 590 (Pleas and Plea Agreements) among which a few vital provisions under Rule 590, which must be known to all the defendants or their friends and family members, are as follows:

It is extremely crucial to understand that a judge is never under any obligation to accept a certain plea bargain arrangement, and, if he or she thinks that the terms given in this kind of a deal are quite lenient, then he or she can take a decision of rejecting the decreased punishment as proposed by the prosecution. But having said so, this is also true that most plea deals are generally accepted. If the plea bargain gets approved from the judge, then its terms are not modified with the exception of the defendant not being able to fulfill certain conditions in this arrangement. For instance, sometimes, the defendant might fail to undertake any community service as mandated in the agreement.

There are many reasons why a plea deal might be a good idea. For one thing, jury trials are stressful. No one knows how one might go, and most times, a court trial leads to a conviction anyway. By taking a plea deal, an offender gets a lighter sentence than he would if he goes to trial. Related to this, the charges one accepts in a plea deal are usually lesser charges than what he or she would be facing if they decided they want a jury trial.

Along with those heavier charges come heftier penalties, meaning longer jail sentences and higher fines. Additionally, court costs can add up quickly when one has a jury trial. A plea bargain means the defendant will pay far less in court costs.

Have you been arrested in Pennsylvania or Pittsburgh in particular? Or do you know someone who is undergoing such legal entanglements? Then, you should resort to an efficient and experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer. Look for a law firm which has dealt with several cases of defendants involved in misdemeanors and felony charges in Pittsburgh or all across Pennsylvania that entails federal crimes, drug crimes, or sex crimes. The right criminal defense attorneys will go to any extent for the protection of your or your near and dear ones’ legal rights as well as interests, fighting this tough battle against all charges on your behalf. Contact a renowned and skilled lawyer today to get a free consultation in such matters.

But, there is very little chance that your case will go through every single step of the proceedings. It can get settled at any point in time. You have the right to a jury trial if you are charged with a felony or misdemeanor (apart from the case of DUI).

Assuming things about a case shouldn’t be done. Plus, it is always advisable to hire professional help so that you can get the best advice. Cases need personalized and aggressive advocacy so that your rights are protected. So, do not delay in hiring an experienced and reliable Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer. Only he or she can get you out of this kind of complicated situation.

Things That Happen at a Trial

• Your case is bound to go for a trial if you plead not guilty to the offense.
• Your prosecutor and attorney will choose a jury panel which will be made up of 12 of your peers. The defense, as well as the prosecutor, will be able to strike, or remove, jurors whom they do not want to be there or whom they think will be unable to remain impartial during the trial. Choosing the panel can take hours and even days, in some cases. The trial can begin only after the jury has been selected.
• During the trial, both the parties, the defense and the prosecution, will be able to call witnesses, present their side of the case, and so on.
• Both the parties will have the right to cross-examine the other party’s witnesses.
• Both the prosecution and defense parties will also present their closing arguments. They will try their best to please the jury so that the case works in their favor.
• The jury will consider the evidence presented by both sides before coming to a conclusion. They will withdraw to another room to discuss the case and make their decision.
• When they have made their decision and return to the courtroom, the jury foreman will read the verdict aloud.
• After the verdict is read, the judge will either let you go, if you were found not guilty, or sentence you, if you were found guilty.

The judge will give instructions to the jury before they leave the room to deliberate, and will go through the various laws associated with the case. The judge will also advise the jury to be open to ideas and opinions and to listen to other people and at the same time, not let the opinions of their fellow jurors overpower their own thoughts. They shouldn’t be stubborn but also shouldn’t let other people influence their thought process.

In some cases, if the prosecutor agrees to it, you might decide to ask for a bench trial where the judge is the one to decide if you are guilty or innocent, rather than a jury trial.

Professional Help

You should always get professional help for getting the best advice. An experienced Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney will not only guide you throughout the procedures of a trial but will also prepare a solid defense so that the case turns to your favor.

If you have been charged with any crime in or around the city of Pittsburgh, you will need an experienced criminal defense attorney. The Logue Criminal Defense team serves Pittsburgh, PA, and the surrounding areas, including West Virginia and Ohio. To get in touch and schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh Criminal Defense lawyer from Logue Law Group, call us today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you can contact us online.

Don’t wait to call! The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more difficult it becomes for him or her to get a good outcome for you and your case. Call today!

What TO Do: Listen to the officer, and do as you are told.

What NOT To Do:

1. Don’t talk. Don’t say anything, not to the arresting officer, not to his partner, not to the cop who processes you at the jail, and not to the prosecutor. You have the right to remain silent. Make use of that right. Don’t try to convince anyone that you are innocent. Why? Because all the officers hear all day long is, “I’m innocent!” “You shouldn’t arrest me!” and “I shouldn’t be in jail!” Everyone protests it, and it doesn’t generally matter to the officers if you’re guilty or innocent. It’s not his or her job to judge that. Most of the time, when people talk to cops, they say something that ends up making their situation worse. Keep quiet. The only thing you should be saying is, “I want a lawyer.”
2. Don’t run. As said above, listen to the officer who is arresting you and follow his instructions. DO NOT RUN. If you do, you will face more charges, and if the case ends up going to trial, the prosecutor could be allowed to tell the jury that you ran because you are guilty and that innocent people don’t run. In addition, cops get suspicious that people who run have weapons, and may be quick to draw their own.
3. Don’t resist arrest. Do not, under any circumstances, touch the officer. Do what he says. Fight your case in court; don’t fight the cops, because you will lose. Sometimes, people try to swat an officer’s hands away or bump him to get him to move away. Frequently, this is over-reported by the cop as hitting, which then becomes assault. It turns your minor misdemeanor into a felony.
4. Don’t believe the police. Police officers lie. Cops are allowed to lie to you to get you to admit to doing something. They’re trained to do it. The Reid Technique is where you lie about evidence—videotape or DNA or witnesses or fingerprints. Often, the cops will separate two friends and convince one that the other told on him (“ratted” him out.) Now, the first guy is mad and tells on the second guy. Cops and detectives will also tell you that it will be easier for you if you just talk now, but it’s a lie. Do not believe it. You will be making it easier for the cops to win their case.
5. Don’t allow a search. Police are not allowed to search without your consent. If you are asked, deny permission and make sure you tell all witnesses that the police do not have permission to search. If they do it anyway, that evidence can be tossed out in a trial. Plus, if you give consent, and they find something you didn’t know was there or that a friend placed there, like marijuana, it could lead to additional charges.
6. Don’t look at places that you don’t want the cops looking at. Cops are trained to watch you, your reactions, and what you do and then react to you. Many people look at areas they don’t want police to look, because they are nervous and scared. Don’t answer questions and don’t react to the search. Look down and keep quiet.
7. Don’t “talk smack” to the police. It doesn’t matter who you and your connections are, nor does it matter if you were wrongly arrested and the true culprit is standing beside you. Don’t smack talk! This is another thing cops hear all day long. They are immune. Cops are allowed to add charges and change charges from misdemeanors to felonies. They will also speak to the prosecutor as part of the process. Don’t make it harder on yourself.
8. Don’t allow police inside your home if they come, and don’t step outside to talk to them. Make it clear to them that they are not allowed in. Say things like, “You need a search warrant to enter my house.” or “No, you can’t come in.” or “I’m good talking right here.” If they come back, your lawyer can arrange for you to turn yourself in if it becomes necessary. Note that if the cops are positive you have committed a felony, they will come in anyway. They generally don’t need an arrest warrant for that.
9. Don’t accept an offer to go back inside your home for anything, if you are outside and have been arrested. They’ll be all nice to you, and give you a reason to go in, escort you in, and then start tearing into the house to search it. Don’t let them secure your car, either. Keep in mind that they’re lying to you. They don’t care if you’re cold or need to talk to your wife.
10. Again, don’t talk. You would be amazed at the number of people who think they can convince the cops that they’re innocent. The cops don’t care. It’s not their job to decide your guilt or innocence. Save your breath. Ask for an attorney and tell him.

Following these simple rules will mean the preservation of your rights and a better outcome for your case.

If you or a loved one have been charged with a crime in or around the city of Pittsburgh, you will need an experienced criminal defense attorney. The Logue Criminal Defense team serves Pittsburgh, PA, and the surrounding areas, including West Virginia and Ohio. To get in touch and schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh Criminal Defense lawyer from Logue Law Group, call us today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you can contact us online.

Don’t wait to call! The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more difficult it becomes for him or her to get a good outcome for you and your case. Call today!

Except for some DUI offenses, in Pittsburgh, once you are caught committing a felony or misdemeanor, you have the right to a jury trial. If you plead guilty, or after you go through a trial and are found guilty, you will receive a sentence.

It is under such circumstances that the assistance of an experienced and certified Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer like those at Logue Law Group becomes invaluable.

What Takes Place at the Time of Sentencing?

Sentencing will take place after any one of the following things happens,

• The acceptance of a plea bargain
• You plead guilty, and this includes open pleas and nolo contendere
• You are convicted at the end of your trial

At the time of sentencing, our Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer can call witnesses and present evidence.

Prior to the sentence being handed down, if you wish to, you will be allowed to make a statement to the court.

The judge, after listening to both parties, will make his or her decision, as well as hand down the sentence. Your sentence could be any of the following things:

• Alcohol/drug programs
• Probation
• Community service
• Detention served in the home
• Fines
• Jail

at Logue Law Group, we represent clients at their sentencing hearings. We pride ourselves on providing professional attention to each and every case. Our Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyers are aggressive and experienced with sentencing hearings and are not afraid to fight for clients. They have been doing so for a good number of years.

They will offer you dedicated and zealous representation. It is our aim to work hard to protect the futures and rights of our clients.

Sentencing may be challenging and offer many legal issues. The top lawyers in our firm will offer you aggressive and experienced representation.

Our lawyers will defend your case aggressively, and they take immense pride in their work; their case outcomes reflect their commitment to the client. We are well aware that facing the legal system is difficult; we offer free consultations. We will take the time to thoroughly examine all aspects of the case and offer advice to you regarding how to proceed.

To learn more, get in touch with us right away. We look forward to helping you in the best way possible. You need an experienced and determined Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer who will stand beside you, help you decide the best path to take, and work hard to prove your innocence.

Don’t delay! The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more difficult it will be to get you a good outcome.

If you are charged with a crime, call the Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyers at Logue Law Group today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. You can also contact us online.

If you are not a lawyer in Pennsylvania and have a client who has been accused of a crime in the Federal, Commonwealth, or local districts in the Pittsburgh area, then you should contact Logue Law Group to help you out through a pro hac vice admission. Your client thus will be able to get a lawyer from home that they know and trust, with the added benefit of extra representation from a superb Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer. He or she can be relaxed because their case will now be in the hands of an adept and skilled attorney. For the best support and results, your client will get two lawyers.

Pro Hac Vice Admission

An out-of-state or outside lawyer seeking the assistance of a Pittsburgh attorney is required to fill out a form, as well as submit a fee, for all the cases that require “pro hac vice” attention. The fee is $200, and the form can be found here and submitted following the instructions laid out on this web page. It is also required in Pennsylvania that you get a sponsor who will file a written application or motion in order to support the application that has been filed.

Contacting a reputable Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer is the first step in this case, as you will require his sponsorship in every step of the case. Sean Logue and his associates at Logue Law group are available to assist you in the state and local courts in Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties.

Pro Hac Vice Admission in Federal District Courts

Logue Law Group can sponsor you for your pro hac vice admission in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown. You just need to follow the basic regulations for this. As with state and local courts, you will be required to pay an amount to the court of law, as well as a fee to the Pennsylvania Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection. You also must have contact with a local attorney who can enter appearances, receive payments, sign stipulations, and orders, file papers, etc. An esteemed Criminal Defense Lawyer in the Pittsburgh area like Sean Logue can completely assist you throughout the procedure. But, make sure that he has dealt with similar kinds of cases before. These cases are complicated and require adequate knowledge so that the case is in your favor.

How Can We Help You

Logue Law Group has a team of dedicated and experienced attorneys who have dealt with these kinds of cases in the past. Apart from providing pro hac vice admissions, they are also experts at fighting cases involving DUI offenses, drug possession, sex crimes, traffic ticketing, etc. We understand the emergencies of our clients and how they suffer during the trial period. And hence, we make sure that they get out of such dire situations at the earliest.

Criminal law is a very complicated matter, and once you have gotten involved in any criminal activities, it can be detrimental to your future. So, never delay in contacting a Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer. Only an esteemed and experienced lawyer can help you out of these kinds of situations. Contact Logue Law Group now for scheduling a meeting with a reputable attorney, contact us online or call 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901.

For more information about Pro Hac Vice Admissions, see the Pennsylvania Rule of Bar Admissions 301 and the Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1012.1.

Having a basic understanding of the procedures you will face in the criminal justice system will assist you in attaining peace of mind and clarity of understanding. Additionally, our Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyers, with their knowledge about all aspects of the system in Pittsburgh, from the preliminary arraignments to the formal ones, will create a noteworthy difference in the outcome of your case.

What takes place at the time of the preliminary arraignment?

Within 72 hours of their arrest, criminal suspects in Pittsburgh are brought to the District Court. The initial appearance in the court is known as the preliminary arraignment. At this time, the judge will read your charges to you, inform you that you have the right to an attorney, and then set a bail amount for you. When setting bail, he or she will consider many factors, such as your criminal history, your ties to the community, and your occupation.

Should the court consider you to be dangerous and/or not likely to show up for further hearings, the judge will set a high bail amount. If the court thinks you are a flight risk, you won’t get any bail at all and will have to remain jailed until your criminal proceedings are over. If you are an offender that appears to be a low risk, you will get either a bail amount that is low or an ROR (released on your own recognizance.) If you can’t or don’t post bail, you will probably have to stay in jail until the trial’s end.

At the preliminary arraignment, the judge will schedule a preliminary hearing. This hearing will occur anywhere from three to ten days after the preliminary arraignment. The judge, during the preliminary hearing, will consider the evidence presented by the prosecutor and decide if there is enough to connect you to the crime. This will be your first chance to negotiate a plea agreement with the district attorney.

Enter a plea during the formal arraignment

The next step is the formal arraignment, which takes place within 1 to 2 months (30 to 60 days) after the preliminary hearing. It will take place in the Court of Common Pleas and is mostly just a formality. Someone, either the judge or another official of the court, reads the charges that have been filed against you. Depending on the county in which you are being tried, it will be required of you to formally plead one of the following:

• Not guilty
• Guilty
• No contest (means that you don’t deny the charges, but don’t admit them either; this plea results in a conviction of the crime)
• Stay silent (this is treated as a guilty plea)

If your plea is “not guilty,” the judge presiding over the hearing will inform you that you have a right to file a variety of pretrial motions, like making the prosecution produce documents and asking that certain evidence be excluded. You have a deadline of 30 days after the formal arraignment to file these motions.

A Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help!

Even before the trial starts, the help of one of our Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyers will be essential during the process’ early stages. Your lawyer can look at the evidence and tell you what the likely outcome will be for pleading not guilty or negotiating a plea deal, and can recommend a course of action to you that will get you the best outcome. Additionally, having a lawyer by your side from the outset will give you a head start on things like filing paperwork, since you only have a limited time in which to do it.

The Pittsburgh criminal defense attorneys at Logue Law Group believe that you stand the finest chance to obtain a good resolution for your case if they stand beside you from the beginning. To learn more, call us today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you can contact us online.

In this process, the steps will go all the way from preliminary arraignment through a trial and sentencing, yet will not necessarily pass through each level. Your case can be settled at any moment during the process.

At the time of the pre-trial conference, our top Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney will obtain discovery from the District Attorney who is prosecuting your case. This is vital, because the only evidence the prosecutor is allowed to use as evidence against you at your trial is what he or she provides to your attorney during discovery. Discovery means exactly what it implies: each side is allowed to ask for and must share any evidence they have in the case.

What Takes Place at the Pre-Trial Conference?

After the formal arraignment, a pre-trial conference will be the next step.

Every county in Pennsylvania has its own particular local procedures to handle cases during the pre-trial conference.

A pre-trial conference is different than a trial. The pre-trial conference in most counties is a chance to resolve issues prior to the trial being held.

Your Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer might utilize this opportunity for negotiating with the prosecutor the best possible plea bargain he can get. Plea bargains are often preferable to going to trial, because an offender can plead to a lesser charge than he or she would get if they proceeded with a trial. Jury trials rarely end well for the defendant, despite what television shows portray. An offender is far more likely to be found guilty at the conclusion of a jury trial than to be let go. With a plea bargain, the lesser charge means less jail time, if any, and a lighter fine and court costs, where a conviction resulting from a jury trial will come with heftier fines, higher court costs, and lengthier jail sentences.

During this time, he or she will also make requests for discovery and ask the police, the labs that analyzed tests, and the District Attorney to provide information. The lawyer assigned to you will help in gathering items like:

• Lab reports
• Witness statements
• Police reports
• Statements the police made about your case
• Photos or videos the police are likely to have
• Statements which you gave the police

It may take a few weeks or a few months to get all the information your lawyer asks for.

The pre-trial conference will give the judge an idea of how the case is proceeding. The judge may help move your case along in several ways. He or she can set deadlines for things that should have already been taken care of, and finalize unresolved issues.

Your case is likely to have more than one pre-trial conference, and your lawyer will be essential to each one. He or she will actively negotiate with the prosecutor and analyze discovery information. The plea or trial date will be scheduled after the pre-trial conferences.

The Logue Law Group Difference

Our lawyers will present your version of the facts as well as settlement positions to the judge. Your lawyer will attend the pre-trial conference. During this conference, the attorney will meet with both the prosecutor and the judge, either in a conference room or the judge’s chamber.

Taking the legal counsel, especially of our expert Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyers, who are comfortable with the pretrial conference’s procedures will offer you the confidence required to know that your case is being handled by experts.

If you are facing a criminal trial, call the expert and experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyers at Logue Law Group. My associates and I can help you get your charges reduced or dismissed. Don’t delay; call us today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you can contact us online.

A not guilty plea is a defendant’s answer to a criminal charge that he or she pleads not guilty to the court upon asking. The plea determines how the court will proceed with the trial. If a defendant doesn’t enter a plea at all, the court will file a not guilty plea on the defendant’s behalf. In many cases, a plea of not guilty will be followed by efforts to obtain a jury trial. It depends on your Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer how to set a court date and argue on your behalf at trial.

Criminal Charges and Not Guilty Plea

It is obvious that a defendant who pleads not guilty is refuting all charges against him or her. There are many reasons to enter a not guilty plea, such as a legal strategy that influences the plea. If you are innocent and want to get the opportunity to have your case tried before a jury, you enter into a not guilty plea. Similarly, if the defendant doesn’t believe the charge is justified, he or she may enter a not guilty plea.

If a defendant in the Pittsburgh area has enough evidence to defend himself against criminal charges, he or she may also choose to enter a not guilty plea. For example, one of the possible defenses available in some cases is the insanity defense, meaning that, if a defendant can prove that he or she was insane during the commission of the crime, he or she may receive a minimized sentence or in some cases avoid sentencing altogether.

Under the law, even if you are charged or indicted, you are considered innocent until proven guilty. There are additional specifications or aggravating factors that can carry their own punishment or may make your potential punishment harsher. If you enter a plea of not guilty, the burden of proof is on the prosecutor. Now, the prosecutor has to put all elements together and prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. You need a professional Criminal Defense Lawyer in the Pittsburgh area like Sean Logue to defend your case after thoroughly investigating it.

Why hire a lawyer for a not guilty plea?

The main objective of your Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney is to find enough evidence to prove that you are not guilty. The lawyer will investigate the matter thoroughly and argue it before the court. The main objectives of your lawyer will be:

• Investigate the facts or legal issues are in conflict
• Fully investigate and explore the possibility of a fair trial based on defense evidence
• Finding evidence that proves defense as accurately as possible
• If the trial can’t be avoided, your lawyer will ensure it runs as smoothly as possible

Hiring an attorney can help you avoid missteps in defending your case.

Plea deals can be complex things and difficult to understand. You need a skilled and competent Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney to explain them to you and help you file the motions for them. Sean Logue and his colleagues at Logue Law Group are available 24/7 to help. Don’t delay! Call 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901 now, or click here to contact us online.

Logue Law Group serves Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties, as well as Ohio and West Virginia.

Usually, defendants who are charged with criminal offenses end in a plea bargain. Only a small number of cases go to trial. The incentive for defendants in plea bargaining is to admit guilt to a lower charge and receive a lighter sentence than they could potentially receive at trial. Defendants who are charged with less serious convictions are imposed with a lighter sentence by the judge after the defendant pleas.

A nolo contendere plea is offered in Pittsburgh or elsewhere in Pennsylvania as an alternative to pleading guilty or not guilty. This is a complex plea that sometimes leads to general perplexity. Your Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer will negotiate in your best interest and inform you fully of any plea deals.

“No Contest” Basics

After the pretrial conferences are finished, and your Criminal Defense Lawyer in Pittsburgh has reviewed the evidence against you, you can either decide to face a jury, or you can plead guilty. Pleading guilty means admitting that you committed the crimes you have been accused of. One of the ways you can give a guilty plea is a nolo contendere plea.

In “no contest” or nolo contendere pleas, the defendant doesn’t admit the crime or guilt but offers no contest to the case. One tangible benefit of pleading no contest is it prohibits the use of the criminal action in a related civil suit.

When a nolo contendere plea is given, the judge and the prosecutor agree on the sentence to give the defendant. By giving a nolo contendere plea, you are indicating that you know the prosecutor has enough evidence to prove you did the deed, but that you are not guilty. You will still receive the same sentence as if you had been found guilty by a jury, because in the eyes of the law, you are still guilty.

There is one advantage to a nolo contendere plea, and that is that your criminal record will state “nolo contendere” instead of “guilty.” Anyone running a background check will see that was the plea you gave.

The judge will accept your nolo contendere plea, if you are competent to make a decision about your plea, and are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You may be sentenced right then, or a sentencing hearing may be scheduled for you for a future date.

If you change your mind about your nolo contendere plea at a later date and decide you want to plead guilty, you will be reminded of your rights by the judge. He or she will read a formal statement to you, and make sure you understand what you are doing. If you plead guilty, you give up the right to file any more motions and to have a trial by jury.

Hire an Experienced and Dedicated Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney

In a nolo contendere plea, the law is a bit convoluted. The case has to be handled by an experienced Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer like Sean Logue, who has the appropriate background to handle pleas. Your lawyer’s main job is to discredit evidence and show that you weren’t responsible for the crime. Your lawyer will find adequate evidence to make your plea possible. Don’t delay! Call the offices of Logue Law Group now at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901, or contact us online.

What Is a Negotiated Plea?

After the pretrial conferences are finished, and your Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer has evaluated the evidence gathered from the investigation, you have two options: you can decide to go ahead with a trial, or you can offer a guilty plea. To plead guilty involves admitting that you did the things you are accused of. One form of a guilty plea is a “negotiated plea.” Other terms for this are “plea bargain” and “plea deal.”

If you are successful in negotiating a plea, it means you and your lawyer come to an agreement with the prosecutor concerning your charge and/or sentence. In a negotiated plea, you agree to plead guilty to at least one of your charges, if not more, usually the less serious crimes that you were originally charged with. In this bargain, you ask for a lighter sentence in exchange for your admission to the commission of the crimes. Your charges may be dropped from felony-level charges to misdemeanors.

Once negotiated, the prosecutor and your lawyer will submit your deal to the judge who is hearing your case. In general, plea bargains are accepted by judges. The judge will then give you the sentence agreed upon in the plea bargain. However, the judge retains the right to turn your plea deal down. If that happens, he or she can force you to choose between negotiating another deal or going forward with a trial.

A negotiated plea cannot be one made behind closed doors. Instead, in open court and in front of you, the defendant, the terms of the deal must be stated. The judge is allowed to reject the deal, if he or she chooses, and require that you go to trial or negotiate a different deal. You will be questioned by the judge to make sure you understand the terms of the deal and agree to it.

There are advantages to you if you negotiate a plea. Your sentence will not be as severe as it could be if you went forward with a trial and were found guilty. And, you are spared the worry about what your sentence will be if you go to trial.

If you agree to a plea deal, you give up your right to appeal your sentence. Make sure you understand what you are giving up and what you are getting before you agree to it.

Charge Bargaining and Sentence Bargaining

To make the plea bargaining convenient, attorneys and judges segregate plea bargaining into types: sentence bargaining and charge bargaining. In the sentence bargaining, the prosecutor agrees to suggest a lighter sentence for specific allegations if the defendant pleads guilty or no contest. Charge bargaining means the prosecutor agrees to drop some charges in exchange for pleading guilty by the defendant.

Plea Bargains Negotiation Process

In any stage of the criminal justice process in the Pittsburgh area, plea bargaining can take place. Generally, after the arrest of the defendant, and before the filing of criminal charges by the prosecutor, plea deals can be struck. A successful plea deal is executed by a professional Pittsburgh Lawyer like the attorneys at Logue Law Group, who have experience in this process.

Why Hire a Lawyer?

The choice to acknowledge or dismiss a charge and the sentence of a plea deal ought to be made only after a detailed consultation with your Pittsburgh Lawyer. Don’t delay! Call the offices of Logue Law Group now at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901, or contact us online.

However, appearances can be deceiving, and just because something looks guilty doesn’t mean they are. The truth is, any assumptions you make can be proved wrong when the actual facts are gathered.

Regardless of the circumstance, every person deserves the assumption of innocence, as well as the provision of a fair trial. An experienced and determined Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer from Logue Law Group can help you in defending your rights. Look for someone like us, who understands that you are innocent until proven guilty and who will help you navigate the criminal justice system.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

There is a vast difference between innocent unless proven guilty and until proven guilty. The U. S. Constitution guarantees that it is every individual’s legal right to be assumed innocent until facts prove otherwise.

The evidence the prosecution presents has one requirement: that it be so compelling that you are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. It’s your attorney’s job to demonstrate that there is doubt enough that you must be acquitted of the crimes against you.

Our Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyers are highly dedicated to fighting for justice for their clients. They understand that you are innocent unless proven guilty, and will work tirelessly to prove to a jury that you are innocent. They will use every one of their considerable skills to tear apart the case against you and raise the possibility of doubt.

Whatever the evidence is that the prosecutor has against you, one of our attorneys will disqualify it in the eyes of the judge and/or jury. Maybe your case is a DUI. Our attorney will look at the methods used to measure the alcohol in your blood. Was the sample – be it breath, urine, or blood – taken by a trained individual? How recent was their training? If it was a breath test, when was the machine last maintained and calibrated? Did the person who did that have proper training?

If it was a speeding ticket, was a VASCAR device used? If so, those are notoriously inaccurate. Did the cop pull over the correct vehicle? On a four-lane road, if the officer was traveling the other way, there might be two similar vehicles on the road by the time he crosses the median and pulls you over. How does he know for sure it was you who he busted with his device?

Why Choose Logue Law Group?

The criminal justice system is a complex one, with laws changing constantly. Hiring our Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyers will be a vital part of safeguarding your freedom. By using one of our lawyers, you are ensuring that your rights are safeguarded and that you have the best defense possible. When you or a loved one are charged with a crime, it is crucial to have an experienced lawyer on your side that understands the different challenges you will experience, along with ensuring that the jury understands that you are innocent until proven guilty.

The Pittsburgh criminal defense attorneys at Logue Law Group look forward to helping you safeguard your Constitutional rights when it comes to the assumption of innocence. For a consultation and more information, contact our attorneys today and learn how they can assist you with your case. Our attorneys study the law constantly so that they can offer you the finest defense possible with a lawyer who knows the laws and the criminal justice system. If you wish to protect your rights, then call us today. We are licensed and certified so you can enjoy peace of mind, knowing that you are in safe hands.

Don’t wait to call! The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more difficult it will be to get a good outcome for your case.

Don’t delay; call us today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you can contact us online.

Even here in Pittsburgh, there are people who are found guilty of crimes because they were represented by an incompetent Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney. It can happen no matter the kind of case. From first-time Driving Under the Influence cases to theft to murder and everything in between. If it has happened to you, you might wonder if there’s any way to get the situation rectified.

Happily, under certain circumstances, you can get your situation rectified, and your case heard again. Pennsylvania has a law under which you can claim Ineffective Assistance of Counsel. This law, called the Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA), requires you to file a petition with the court, asking to appeal your conviction. If you prove your case, that your attorney was incompetent and his bad advice got you convicted, your conviction could be overturned, and you could be granted a new trial. This kind of second chance is invaluable when, because of someone else’s mistake, you have been found guilty and are facing jail time and fines. You may be able to avoid these hefty penalties. When you get that second chance, it’s vital that you make it work for you by making the right decisions.Getting a Second Chance

Your conviction may be overturned if:

• You can prove that your lawyer provided ineffective assistance.
• You can show that his or her defense did not meet “an objective standard of reasonableness.”
• You can show that there is a reasonable probability that the results of your proceeding would have been different if not for the lawyer’s unprofessional errors.

In the case of Ineffective Assistance of Counsel, the three items of the above list are the things you need to prove. If your attorney’s actions or lack thereof conflict with a rule of procedure, a statute, or the constitution, your claim has what is called “arguable merit.”

Another way that your claim has arguable merit is if your attorney ignored evidence that was both admissible and available which would have helped establish a viable defense for you.

To successfully appeal a conviction through a PCRA claim, you must also prove that your attorney’s action was unreasonable. Attorneys should not act in a vacuum. If his choice of defenses was not explained to you, it was unreasonable.

Another manner in which a defense action would be considered unreasonable is if no competent attorney would have chosen to do it.

Lastly, you must establish that your attorney’s actions or lack thereof prejudiced the court against you, and that had he acted differently, your outcome would have been different.

Unfortunately, getting a second chance is not easy. The state is not going to give up a conviction without a fight, once they have it, and they do not fight fair. To come against them effectively, you need an experienced, trained, professional, and skilled Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney who is aggressive and willing to fight for you.

If you believe that a bad lawyer got you convicted and that you are a victim of legal incompetence, don’t repeat the same mistakes you made the first time. Don’t just hire the first attorney you find. Investigate him or her, and check their reviews and the ratings they receive from professional organizations.

Sean Logue and his associates will work hard to represent you properly and get your conviction overturned. They are experienced and aggressive, with a winning record.

If you feel that your attorney was incompetent, and you are looking for a new one, give the team at Logue Law Group a call. The Logue Criminal Defense team serves Pittsburgh, PA, and the surrounding areas, including West Virginia and Ohio. To get in touch and schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced and determined Pittsburgh Criminal Defense lawyer from Logue Law Group, call us today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you can contact us online.

Don’t wait to call! The longer you wait to hire a new attorney, the more difficult it becomes for him or her to get a good outcome for you and your case. Call today!

Preliminary Arraignment

Typical criminal proceedings start with the preliminary arraignment. Here, the person arrested for felony or misdemeanor would have to undergo an arraignment in front of a Magistrate at the local district court. The Magistrate reviews your credentials including employment history, criminal history, and ties to the community, and then determines the bail amount that would secure your future appearance in court if released from custody.

In the case of lower grade misdemeanor, your strong involvement in the community may secure an ROR (released on your own recognizance) or an unsecured bail. You need not deposit any money to secure release from the custody pending outcome of the trial and need not be monitored by the bail agency. In the case of an unsecured bail, you would have to adhere to certain conditions set by the Magistrate.

In the event of more serious offense or a felony such as Aggravated Assault or Sex Crime, you would have to post money to secure release from custody. There are chances that bail may be denied by the Magistrate if you pose any threat to other individuals or community till the charges are dismissed or he/she has been sentenced during the trial. The preliminary arraignment ends with the Magistrate setting a date for a preliminary hearing.

Preliminary Hearing

At this stage of the criminal process, the Commonwealth (Police or District Attorney) would present evidence about the crime committed and have to directly link you to the crime. The Magistrate would closely examine the evidence to bind the case for a trial if there is sufficient evidence. If there are discrepancies in the evidence produced all or some of them can be dismissed. However, this hearing shouldn’t be confused with a trial as there are strict limitations on the evidence that a criminal defense lawyer in Pittsburgh is allowed to present.

The preliminary hearing serves as an opportunity for your Pittsburgh attorney to evaluate the evidence presented and plan a counter strategy. Your attorney would also have the opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses before the trial. This stage also allows reduction of charges where misdemeanor or felony charges can be reduced to the summary (citation) offense.

Formal Arraignment

When the Magistrate sees sufficient merit in the evidence, he/she would send your case to trial and schedule formal arraignment at the Court of Common Pleas in the country where you had been arrested. It is a stage where the case moves onto a trial level court from the lower courts. Here, you would be advised of your rights and would have to plead.

Pretrial Conference/Call Of The Lists

The next stage in the criminal process is the Pretrial Conference or Call of the Lists depending on county of your arrest. Here, the Judge is advised on the status of the case to make him/her aware of whether the case needs to proceed immediately to trial, delayed for the discovery of new evidence, or there is a plea deal in the works. In some instances, your defense attorney can work on a plea deal and prevent the case from going to trial.

Trial

Your case would go to trial if no plea deal is worked out. In most cases, the case goes to full trial and court secures a jury panel for your case. At the trial, Commonwealth must prove beyond reasonable doubt that you are responsible for the crime. If the jury has reasonable doubt about the evidence presented, they may declare you as not guilty. The trial doesn’t require you to testify or present evidence, though it is well within your rights to do so. There must be a consensus among all the jurors that you are guilty or not guilty.

Sentencing Hearing

The sentencing hearing takes place only if you are convicted of the crime either through trial or guilty pleading. In the event of guilty pleading, the sentencing hearing would take place on the same day or on the following day. If convicted through the trial, the sentencing hearing takes place on a later date.

After a sentencing hearing, you or your attorney can present argument on why you feel the sentence is unwarranted with respect to the offense. This can help you get a lighter sentence when you present a proper rehabilitation plan or sentencing memorandum.

Once you have been arrested, you should prepare for a determined and strong fight. I, along with my team at Logue Law Group, would offer you the best possible legal representation in the Pittsburgh area. For a free consultation, call me at 412.387.6901, 412.387.6901 or contact me online.

• Criminal Record Expungement
• Details About Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Offense Classes & Gravity Score
• Felonies & Misdemeanors
• Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
• Negotiated Plea
• Nolo Contendere Plea
• Not Guilty Plea
• Pro Hac Vice Admissions for Out-of-State Lawyers
• Sentencing
• Trial

• Criminal
• Defense Updates
• Criminal Process
• Domestic Violence
• Drug Crimes
• Firearms Law
• Other Crimes
• Sex Crimes
• Violent Crimes
• White Collar Crimes

County Senior Judge Gerald R. Solomon was asked by assistant public defender Michael Aubele to reconsider the motion he made to deny nominal bail for Christopher C. Shellhammer, age 31, of McClellandtown. Shellhammer is being held in Fayette County Prison

According to police, Shellhammer allegedly shot 39-year-old Michael Henrick in the back and chest. The shooting occurred after Henrick arrived at the residence of Kelly French in Masontown. Police officials say that Henrick and Shellhammer argued and Shellhammer shot him. The shooting happened on January 15, 2018. Henrick was French’s fiancé.

Aubele says that French set Shellhammer up for an ambush by sending text messages inviting Shellhammer to have sex and smoke marijuana. At 9:48 PM, Shellhammer sent a text saying he was at the home. By 9:53 PM, he was calling 911 and saying he shot someone, Aubele said. Shellhammer drove himself to the Masontown Police Department.

Last month, Judge Solomon denied the motion because there was a lack of evidence of self-defense and a lack of knowledge as to the sequence of the shots that were fired at Henrick.

On Monday, Aubele said that Shellhammer himself made the statement that he was set up. Shellhammer made the statement when he was at the Masontown Police Department. One of the department’s police officers testified that Shellhammer said he was set up.

The judge said that Aubele made the same argument he had before and said that there was no direct testimony from Shellhammer that said he was set up.

Another argument Aubele made was that charges that were recently filed for an assault of a man in French’s basement have things in common was Shellhammer’s case.

In both cases, Kelly French met a man via an online dating website, then invited the man to her house. Each man ended up being assaulted. French’s house is in Masontown along Peach Street.

Aubele said that this is her common scheme, the plan she generally uses. He called it "beyond the pale."

In the earlier case, dated January 21, Alan Lipscomb was seen by Masontown police walking around the borough beaten and bloodied. He told police that he had been in a basement for two days. He later added that Kelly French allegedly tied him up using video game cords, stuck a dagger in his arm, and threatened to stick it in his neck.

David M Clark, age 42, of Dilliner, is also facing charges. Clark was at the home at the time of the altercation between Shellhammer and Henrick, and is facing charges that include attempted homicide. He is in Fayette County prison on $250,000 bond.

According to Aubele, Shellhammer, unlike Lipscomb, was able to get away from the situation after he was struck by both French and Henrick first. Shellhammer suffered a broken jaw, a concussion, and a broken nose, according to Uniontown Hospital medical records that were obtained through discovery.

Judge Solomon told Aubele that he should produce the medical records to help him make his decision.

The assistant district attorney, Ryan Bettinger, indicated that he did not know of any new evidence of medical records and that he will have to check discovery. He said it will be up to a jury to decide if Kelly French’s testimony is discredited or not due to her recent arrest.

According to Bettinger, the incident began with Shellhammer pulling a gun on two unarmed people.

Shellhammer has no criminal record, according to Aubele, and should either be released on bail or put on electronic monitoring and other pretrial services.

Solomon put off making a decision, saying he will decide later and instructing the defense to file any additional motions within 10 days and then to give the Commonwealth another 10 days to respond.

The details of this case are truly murky. On the one hand, we have a gentleman who pulled a gun on two unarmed people, shooting one, who also turned himself in. On the other hand, we have evidence that the gentleman was lured to a residence on false pretenses and with the intent to harm him.

Not having all of the facts, I can’t make a judgment on Mr. Shellhammer’s guilt or innocence. In my opinion, his injuries and the fact that Henrick and French struck first will go a long way toward reducing his charges, and the bail. If I were the man’s attorney, I’d get that hospital record to the court as soon as possible.

According to Pittsburgh’s public safety spokeswoman, two businesses were cited for alcohol violations, too.

In short, Pittsburgh’s celebration of all things Irish was exactly what I told you to expect/warned you about on Friday.

But this Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney isn’t one to say, “I told you so.”

I’m more inclined to say, “How can I help?” Because I get it: Sometimes people with the best intentions – people who just wanted to go have some fun with their friends on a holiday weekend – make mistakes. Further, I’m Irish. So I get that, too. But some of the revelry goes a bit too far.

The question now, after getting into trouble, is: How do I best get myself out of it?

Because here’s the thing: If you have a clear criminal record and you made a bonehead move and got busted this past weekend for, let’s say, marijuana possession or public drunkenness, you could have a problem.

The difference between how well you fare in the criminal court system largely depends on how well versed your Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney is in those statutes – and how well he is able to work with prosecutors to have charges reduced and/or dismissed.

And if you don’t have a clear criminal record? Then it’s even more important for you to hire a qualified criminal defense lawyer who has the legal expertise to help you navigate what will inevitably be a more complicated court experience. Only an experienced and proficient Pittsburgh criminal lawyer who is well versed with the laws of the state can bail you out of this situation.

A skilled and experienced criminal defense lawyer will have a comprehensive knowledge regarding the criminal proceedings and will be able to guide you in the right direction. Criminal charges for drug possession or DUI can have a tremendously dangerous impact on your future. Such criminal charges like possession of marijuana or hit and run, have an effect on not only the academic front but also on the job prospects. These offenses make a permanent place in your criminal records and are often accessible to the public, including your future employers. So, one must be extremely cautious while driving especially on special occasions like St. Patrick’s Day. Apart from this, you can be imposed with huge fines and a considerable period of jail time. It is better to be careful and prevent such occurrences but if after all, you get stuck in such a situation, make sure you resort to an experienced and skilled criminal defense attorney.

An experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer will try their best to request for the dismissal of charges before the beginning of the trial in case the prosecutor does not have sufficient admissible evidence against you to make the trial worthwhile. He can also file a motion to suppress the evidence presented by the prosecutor if it can be proved that the evidence presented against you was gathered in a manner which violated your constitutional rights. There are various other ways in which he or she can help you. So, don’t hesitate to contact a good defense lawyer when caught in such circumstances.

I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to hire a good defense attorney as soon as possible. Too many times, people think they can handle their own defense, only to find that they’re in danger of being slapped with more charges and bigger fines and jail sentences than they thought they’d get. By calling me right away, you can potentially avoid jail time, and pay far less in fines and the accompanying costs than you’d have to otherwise.

Hundreds of police officers, lawyers and defendants — many of whom were Pitt students — came to Pittsburgh Municipal Court to find what some lawyers called “organized chaos.”

“No one knows what’s going on,” attorney Sean Logue said.

By 8 a.m., around 100 people had lined up outside the court entrance to go through the metal detectors. Inside, a day of confusion, contradiction and emotion awaited.

The district attorney’s office had set up a plea-bargaining table to make offers to some defendants.

The prosecution color-coded defendants’ files to designate which deals they were eligible to receive. Those with green or yellow stickers were offered reductions from misdemeanor to summary offenses or postponements for 50 hours of community service, which will be proved at a later date.

Lawyers and defendants crowded the second floor of the building, discussing their sentences, making deals and trying to figure out where to be and at what time.

At one point, the din of the crowd got to be too much.

“You need to be quiet,” a deep-voiced officer shouted from behind the district attorney’s table, commanding nearly instant attention. “We need to get this taken care of.”

In the terms of the deal, people offered community service could only accept if they did not want to go to their preliminary hearing, district attorney spokesman Mike Manko said.

But many of the criminal complaints the defendants received were vague, to the point where some defendants weren’t told the specific complaints officers had against them. See the related graphic for examples from the documents. Visit pittnews.com to see the full documents.

“It was based on what they were charged with,” Manko said of the offer. “It was made clear to them this morning and they were given the option of what to do.”

Manko said it didn’t matter whether specifics of the arrest were given in the criminal complaint.

Before the hearings began, Magisterial District Judge Kevin Cooper commanded silence in the courtroom. People awaiting their hearing were whispering with lawyers and one another as a few cell phones rang.

Cooper stopped one of the cases, unrelated to the G-20, to give a warning to remain quiet.

“There will be absolutely no talking in this courtroom. There are too many important cases today for there to be talking,” he said.

He asked those who came into the room late to swear themselves in.

“Your right hand. Not your left hand. Your right hand.”

Hearings were held in three separate courtrooms. Plea bargains were officially made in one small 21-seat arraignment room, where defendants and their attorneys accepted community service or asked for their hearings to be postponed.

Withdrawn vs. dismissed

The prosecution withdrew charges for Pitt student Nathan Poloni, along with Ryan Kingston and Kimberly Siegel, Manko said. Kingston and Siegal were put in the group offered community service by mistake, he said, and their charges will be officially withdrawn.

The court’s chaos was a result of arrests made the day after the G20 summit, when hundreds of people gathered on Forbes Avenue to protest police action the night before became belligerent, throwing things at officers who had converged on the area. Hundreds were arrested, and were then booked at a temporary booking station set up nearby. Eventually, SWAT was called in to control the crowd and disperse them. The hearings on October 21st were preliminary hearings, and not everyone arrested had a hearing that day. Seventy-five more were scheduled to appear in court on October 23^rd.

A Pitt law professor named Jennifer Sadler explained that court is always fast-paced and “crazy,” and that she could understand why people described the day as chaotic.