Criminal Defense Attorneys in State College, PA
Defending individuals’ rights in court.
Every year, thousands of students travel thousands of miles to attend Penn State, South Hills School of Business & Technology, or a similar institution. As in many college towns, the tension between out-of-town students and “townies” is palpable. Area law enforcement agencies aggressively enforce criminal laws to assert control over “their” community.
Arrests are always frightening. Arrests far from home are particularly frightening, especially when you consider the collateral consequences for college students.
For decades, the experienced State College, PA, criminal defense lawyers at Decker Bradburn have successfully resolved criminal cases for students and non-students alike. We quickly and thoroughly evaluate criminal cases to identify all possible defenses, including potential weak points in the state’s case. This strong foundation enables us to advocate effectively for defendants in the courtroom and during pretrial settlement negotiations.
Matters We Handle
At Decker Bradburn, our professional team handles a full array of criminal cases in Centre County and nearby jurisdictions. We stand ready to defend individuals against charges like:
- DUI: These cases usually center on a chemical test result, usually a breathalyzer test. Like all devices, these are not 100 percent reliable. Breathalyzer issues are well documented. A judge in nearby Massachusetts recently threw out some 20,000 DUI convictions that were based on faulty breathalyzer readouts.
- Drug Possession: Back in the day, many people believed that drugs were a serious problem. Now, most people believe drug possession is a health and safety issue, not a criminal law issue. That shift makes these offenses easier for a criminal defense lawyer in State College, PA, to resolve.
- Assault and Sexual Assault: Alleged victim reliability is often an issue in these cases. Alleged victims usually recount events accurately, but accuracy and reliability are different. An unreliable, broken clock is accurate twice a day.
We use proven methods to resolve these and other criminal cases and always treat defendants with the dignity and respect they deserve.
About 95% of criminal law cases settle out of court. Potential plea bargain resolutions include a plea to a lesser-included offense (e.g., reckless conduct instead of drug possession) and/or a lower sentence (e.g., probation instead of incarceration).
We also represent defendants in post-trial matters, such as probation revocations, criminal appeals, and probation modifications.
Collateral Consequences
Every criminal case has unique collateral consequences. For example, DUI convictions often triple auto insurance rates, and assault cases sometimes involve parallel proceedings in civil court or family court.
General collateral consequences for students include immigration effects, student aid effects, and student disciplinary proceedings.
Under immigration law, most misdemeanors are crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMTs), and most felonies are aggravated felonies. A crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT) or aggravated felony conviction could lead to immediate deportation or removal proceedings. These offenses may also affect subsequent status adjustment matters.
Technically, a criminal conviction does not affect public student aid programs, like Pell Grants. However, a criminal conviction often puts students at the back of the line, making them less likely to get the assistance they need.
A criminal conviction, or even an arrest, could trigger student disciplinary proceedings. Possible consequences include expulsion, academic probation, or suspension of privileges.
The State College, PA criminal defense lawyers at Decker Bradburn always have a plan to address collateral consequences, just as they do for direct consequences.
Contact a Diligent Centre County Lawyer
Your worst moment never defines who you are. For a confidential consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, contact Decker Bradburn, Attorneys at Law, online now or call 814-308-8895. Convenient payment plans are available.