False allegations of a sex crime can have dire consequences. You face severe criminal penalties if you are convicted. However, even if you aren’t found guilty, your reputation may be ruined to your friends, family, coworkers, or the entire community. You must fight back against a false sex crime accusation. Your entire life is on the line. With the help of an experienced sex crime defense attorney, you can protect yourself. Common Sex Crime Charges After False Allegations Many charges are considered sex crimes in Pennsylvania. Each crime has individual elements that the prosecutor must prove b ..read more

PA universities, colleges, and technical institutes are remarkable centers of learning. But sometimes, college students learn lessons the hard way if they are arrested or charged with a crime. In mild scenarios, these charges could translate to a warning from the police and the school’s disciplinary committee. In worst-case scenarios, you could be looking at expulsion and time behind bars. Criminal Charges Involving College Students A review of the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system shows that in 2022 and 2023, there were 8,972 offense counts in 23 higher institutions in Pennsyl ..read more

Charged With a Crime in Pennsylvania? It May Affect Your CCW Permit Under the Second Amendment, we have the right to bear arms. However, this right is not unlimited. This means that under certain circumstances, your right to carry a gun can be revoked. A criminal conviction is one of these reasons. If you are accused of a crime in the Pittsburgh area and worried that it may limit your right to carry an otherwise legal firearm, you can review all your options and pursue an outcome that protects your record and ability to own firearms. Contact Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys ..read more

Having a DUI record in Pennsylvania can be a major setback when it comes to applying for jobs, submitting rental applications, seeking professional licenses, and pursuing opportunities where a criminal background check is required. While many offenses can’t be erased from a criminal record, some DUI offenses can be, especially in cases where an individual participated in an Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) program. Pennsylvania DUI Expungement Laws In Allegheny County, a person can expunge certain DUI records, including non-convictions, convictions of summary offenses, and parts of ..read more

If you find yourself facing a DUI charge in Allegheny County, you may wonder what a no contest, or “nolo contendere,” plea is and whether it might be a good option for you. Nolo Contendere is Latin for “I do not contest.” Often abbreviated as “nolo,” entering a plea of nolo contendere in a criminal trial means that you do not admit your guilt, but recognize that the prosecution has enough evidence to prove your guilt. Although there are few benefits to a nolo or no contest plea, many people charged with DUI do just that. As a result of pleading no contest to your DUI charges, you will usually ..read more

Many people facing a first-time DUI in Pennsylvania think they’ll be heading to jail as part of their sentence. In fact, many Pennsylvanians do face incarceration times for their DUI offense and take on hefty fines, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, to boot. But not everyone ends up in jail. In Allegheny County, a special program has been created to keep people out of jail, known as the DUI Alternative Jail Program. Under the DUI Alternative Jail Program, first-time DUI offenders are placed in special hotels—known as “DUI hotels”—where they take part in treatment programs. Given t ..read more

Pennsylvania’s Veterans Treatment Court (usually called Veterans Court) is an alternative to incarceration for veterans facing criminal charges. Based on similar effective programs (such as Drug Courts), this specialized program helps veterans connect with resources for addiction, mental illness, or other disorders. Veterans Court addresses the underlying issues that often lead to criminal behavior. Many veterans find it challenging to adjust to civilian life. Like many other states, Pennsylvania provides Veterans Court as an alternative to imprisonment and other traditional criminal justice a ..read more

If you or a loved one were arrested in Pittsburgh, you are likely wondering whether you should call a criminal defense lawyer. The answer is simple: Yes, as soon as possible. Why? Because the earlier you hire a Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer, the more your attorney can do to keep your or your loved one’s record clean and stay out of jail. At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, we’ve outlined when it’s time to call a defense attorney and the dangers of not getting legal help. If you have been arrested, charged with a crime, or investigated by police anywhere around Pi ..read more

Like many other Pennsylvania drivers, you’re probably aware that a drunk driving conviction carries hefty penalties. A first time DUI could lead to six months’ probation and a $300 fine. The punishments increase for higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels and prior arrests. What you may not know is the law on ignition interlock systems in PA. Under certain circumstances, a court could order you to install a device on your vehicle that prevents the engine from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, our lawyers underst ..read more

If you’re like most people pulled over for drunk driving, your case will not go to trial. Instead, your case will probably get resolved in the early stages of the criminal justice process through a plea arrangement. But, if you’re in the minority, the DUI trial is where your fate will be decided. The trial has high stakes because it means that both the defense and the prosecution believe that the facts are in their favor and that it’s worth investing the time and money to litigate. Of course, this belief cannot be true for both camps, so the outcome often depends on the raw skill of the opposi ..read more