Charged With a Summary Offense in Philadelphia? Here’s How to Deal With it
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear ‘criminal charges’?
Well, if you have a surface-level idea of the law, you might think of it as an act of misdemeanor or felony, right?
However, those are some serious categories of charges that carry stiff penalties. In Pennsylvania, there is a third category- summary offense. It is deemed as one of the least serious types of offenses. But, if you ignore a summary offense charge, the consequence might turn your life upside down! That’s the reason why it is always best to hire a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer in such cases to make sure that the outcome rules in your favor.
In this blog, we’ve discussed some of the best ways you can deal with a summary offense, just in case you’re charged with the same in Philadelphia. Let’s stick till the end to learn more.
Common Summary Offenses in Philadelphia
Although a summary offense is considered to be the least serious of charges, it can still put a criminal conviction on your record! And once convicted, the penalties usually are as follows-
- Up to 90 days of imprisonment.
- $300 fine.
Not just that, but some convictions, such as underage drinking, might also result in a suspension of your driver’s license.
That being said, here’s a list of some of the most common summary offenses in Pennsylvania-
Non-traffic
- Retail theft.
- Underage drinking.
- Underage possession of alcohol.
- Public drunkenness.
- Harassment.
- Fake identification.
- Disorderly conduct.
- Defiant trespassing.
- Criminal mischief.
Traffic
- Speeding.
- Running a red light.
- Driving without registration.
- Illegal parking.
Dealing with a Summary Offense Charge
If you’ve been charged with a summary offense, you will simply be handed a citation by the cops or receive it in your mail.
Now, what you need to do is read the citation carefully and reply within a 10-day window by either pleading guilty or not guilty. Remember that failing to respond to this citation might get you arrested!
Also, if you thought that pleading guilty and paying a fine would make the case disappear, you’re wrong! In fact, this move might lead to the following consequences-
- Incarceration of up to 90 days.
- $300 fine.
- A criminal record, because you pleaded guilty.
Instead, consult with a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer and plead not guilty. This will give you some time to make sure you look through the available options. Once you do that, you’ll receive a hearing notice from the court. At the hearing, you will again have a chance to either plead guilty or move for a trial.
Now, if you move for a trial, the prosecution will present evidence against you, to which you’ll have the opportunity to respond. Having a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer by your side can help, as they can either challenge the evidence or help you avoid the hearing altogether.
But What if You Plead Guilty?
In that case, the Pennsylvania Law is a little lenient! So, you can appeal to a summary offense conviction even after pleading guilty. However, the appeal deadlines are quite strict. So, make sure to act quickly.
Also, make sure to speak to your Pittsburgh criminal lawyer about your eligibility for expungement. This clears your record from public eyes, and therefore, you can move forward in life knowing that a minor past mistake won’t jeopardize your future!
At Logue Law Group, we always advise our clients to think twice before pleading guilty, as they have several other options to tackle a summary offense. So, if you are facing a similar situation, make sure to call our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers and seek counsel ASAP. Dial 412-387-6901 to get in touch today!