Monthly Archives: July 2014

criminal defense, Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer, Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer, Uncategorized

#Pittsburgh Attorney Frank Walker Selected as Top 50 Man of Excellence

Frank Walker Law New Pittsburgh Courier

Pittsburgh Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law was recently chosen as one of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s Top 50 Men of Excellence for 2014.  Attorney Walker was selected for his work in the area of Law and his commitment to community service in the Pittsburgh Community.

Attorney Walker is a graduate of West Virginia State University, Marshall University, West Virginia University and is the owner of Frank Walker Law where he represents Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Clients.  Attorney Walker is licensed to practice law in all Federal and State Courts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

With offices in downtown Pittsburgh and Morgantown, West Virginia, Attorney Walker is frequently the attorney of choice for criminal defense matters and serious personal injury matters in Western Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia.  Additionally, Attorney Walker is often asked to sit on various Continuing Legal Education Panels for discussion on recent updates in the law.

Attorney Walker was honored at an awards ceremony sponsored by the New Pittsburgh Courier and held at the Fairmont Hotel on July 24, 2014.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

criminal defense, Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer, Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer, Pittsburgh Murder Attorney, Pittsburgh Murder Lawyer, Uncategorized

When the Sole Witness’ Version of Events is Called into Question

Criminal Lawyer Frank Walker Law

A man has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend’s son to death in Fineview. The criminal complaint filed about the incident stated that the 43-year-old suspect stabbed the 22-year-old victim inside his mother’s home during an altercation between the two men. The woman stated in the complaint that she and the suspect had been dating for the last eight months and that over the last three months he had begun a pattern of physically abusing her. According to the complaint, one of the instances of abuse had the man kicking the woman and stomping on her leg then throwing her violently to the ground and searing her abdomen with the lit end of a burning cigarette.

She stated that the suspect had left the home on Saturday night to go out and returned early Sunday morning. When he arrived, he told her that their relationship was over and began packing his things. She said that he then started choking her and then left the house. He left the room that they were in and returned a few minutes later holding a bloody butcher knife, telling her that she was next. She managed to escape the room and found her son lying unresponsive near a door. The suspect is faced with charges of assault and criminal homicide.

These kinds of cases can often be difficult and complex. Due to the emotionally charged nature of the incident, and the vested interest of the witness -the mother – the defense will likely attempt to call her version of events into question. Also, it remains to be seen if there was any self-defense motive in the alleged killing.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

Hard Hitting Representation | Pittsburgh Criminal Defense

 

criminal defense, Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer, Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer

When More Witnesses Equals Less Certainty #PittsburghLawyer

Frank Walker Law Criminal Defense Lawyer

Police recently arrested a Brookline after he unintentionally shot a 15-year-old girl while firing “indiscriminately” into a large crowd of people. The 20-year-old suspect is facing several charges including simple assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a firearm without a license, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, and two counts of reckless endangerment of another person. According to police reports, the shooting took place just after 1am in Brookline. Between 50 and 100 young adults were leaving a party at a house on Bellaire Avenue when a fight broke out between a number of the party’s attendees.

It was at this point that the suspect pulled out a gun and began firing randomly into the crowd. The 15-year-old victim was hit in the shoulder and subsequently taken to a nearby hospital where she was treated and released. Another bullet hit a nearby house, however, where a family of five – including three small children – was sleeping. There were no injuries at that location.

In such a chaotic situation, one involving up to one hundred witnesses or more, it is almost certain that there will be dozens of testimonials – all giving a slightly different version of events. This is one reason that large witness pools can be difficult for the prosecution: they tend to conflict on even the most basic details.

This is why it is extremely important to contact a Criminal Lawyer immediately upon your arrest. Most Criminal Lawyers work with investigators that will help gather statements, video surveillance and other evidence that may disappear or change drastically over time.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

criminal defense, Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer, Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer

What evidence caused the arrest of a local #Pittsburgh Pastor for Sexual Assault?

Frank Walker Law

A pastor in the Pittsburgh area has been arrested and charged with corrupting a minor. The pastor, who was one of the leaders of an outreach ministry in Homestead, is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage member of that church’s congregation. The male victim, who is now 21 years old, reported to police that the pastor had sexually abused him on a regular basis over a two-and-a-half year time span.

The pastor was believed to be counseling the young man at the church but was instead allegedly using that time to commit the assaults which reportedly occurred in one of the church’s offices,  a bathroom, and one of the back rooms.

According to the criminal complaint, the assaults began in 2009 and lasted until almost the end of 2011. By that time the victim was a freshman in college and had notified the pastor at that time that he didn’t want any more counseling from him. The pastor allegedly told the boy not to inform his mother or anyone else about what had been going on because “he didn’t want to get into trouble”.

In theory, Sex Assault cases can be difficult to prove due to the lack of a confession or other particularly damaging evidence. Though there are definitely many cases of those in authority abusing their power, many sex assault cases rest solely on the testimony of the victim, standing alone, without any corroborating evidence.

Most troubling, is the reality of how sex assault cases are handled: the allegation alone can lead to an arrest, without any DNA evidence, witnesses or any other supporting information. In most occasions, the investigating officers feel obligated to proceed with the charges with the mindset, “the jury will figure it out”.  When the jury gets the case, some jurors admit that they feel compelled to convict since, “the officer arrested them, therefore something must have happened.” What is lost in the two mindsets is the fact that the Defendant should be presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

Hard Hitting Representation | Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney

 

criminal defense, Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer, Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer

Stark Warnings for #JasonAldean #Pittsbugh Concert Attendees

Frank Walker Law Jason Aldean Concert Rules Road Closures Pittsburgh Tickets

In June of 2014, more than 50,000 people packed Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, to see Country Star Luke Bryant in Concert.  Many lauded the event as the kick-off to Summer of 2014 and it seems a good time was had by all attendees.

However, Pittsburgh Police stayed busy before, during and after the concert issuing 37 non-traffic citations for scalping, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.  In addition, seven arrests were made for disturbances ranging from physical fights to mere shouting matches.

However, most disturbing to Pittsburgh officials was the aftermath of the concert: Trash in the Parking Lot from thousands of pre-concert tailgaters.  With Country star Jason Aldean poised to take the stage at PNC Park, Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Officials are planning ahead to prevent a repeat cleanup from the Luke Bryan Concert.

Here are some rules to keep in mind if you plan on attending the concert this weekend: 

1. Parking Lots will open at 2pm not 11am – No waiting/street lining will be allowed. City Ordinances will be enforced in neighboring towns

2. All Vehicles in designated lots will be given trash and recycling bags

3. More than 200 Port-o-Johns will be available

4. No tailgating will be allowed once the first act takes the stage

5. Anyone without a ticket to the show will be asked to vacated the parking lots

6. Outbound Lanes of Liberty Tunnel will be closed through Monday

7. Inbound lanes of Liberty Tunnel will be closed from 8pm to 6am through August 8th.

8. Single Lane overnight Closures for inbound & outbound lanes of Squirrel Hill Tunnel from 10pm to 10am Friday and Saturday Night.

Best Advice for the Concert: Enjoy yourself responsibly, designate a safe driver and be mindful of all lane and road closures before you head into town.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

criminal defense, Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer, Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer

Is Notification Required for the Military to Label Someone a Deserter?

frankwalkerlaw_Pittsburgh_Attorney

A man from Hampton was arrested and taken into custody this recently after being accused of deserting from the Army. The 49-year-old veteran filed a petition in federal court the day after his arrest to challenge the accusation and his arrest and subsequent incarceration.

According to the petition, which was filed by the man’s attorney, Allegheny County police made the arrest in front of the man’s wife and children. There was a bench warrant out for his arrest which was dated the 6th of May, 2011 and which accused him of deserting the Army earlier that year.

The petition filed by his attorney states that the man was medically discharged from the military back in 2000 and had been employed with a company in Allegheny County working in an executive capacity ever since. It states also that the man was never given any notification about the desertion charges filed against him and that he had been put in jail without due process.

The facts of this case will be particularly interesting to see – if they ever come out. For now it seems that the military must prove that the man was, in fact, unlawfully away from his post. Additionally, if the man was never given any notification that he was being sought, that fact alone may be not only interesting, but also telling as to the potential outcome of the case.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

Frank Walker on Federal Crimes | Real Law Firm Getting Real Results

criminal defense, Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer, Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer, Pittsburgh Drug Crimes, Pittsburgh Drug Lawyer

Allegheny County Most Wanted Suspect Arrested in #Pittsburgh

Frank Walker Law Pittsburgh Lawyer

Many residents are not even aware that the Allegheny County Sherriff’s Office has a most wanted fugitives list, and were surprised to learn that one of the suspects on that list was arrested in New Kensington recently.

The 24-year-old female suspect from Natrona Heights was arrested by sheriff’s deputies and taken into custody. She is being held at the Allegheny County Jail. The deputies had received an anonymous tip that the suspect would be in the area and had been searching the region for her.

The suspect was wanted on two separate warrants for parole violations. Her parole stems from prior convictions including theft by unlawful taking, burglary, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested in July of 2013 after being caught burglarizing a home in Natrona Heights. The owners of the property entered the premises and found the suspect stealing their belongings including jewelry and valuable silver items.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

Real Law Firm Getting Real Results | What to Do if Charged with a Crime in Pittsburgh 

criminal defense, Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer, Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer

How a #Pittsburgh Fugitive Was Twice Set Free Despite Arrest Warrants

Frank Walker Law

Two separate law enforcement agencies allowed a fugitive to go free despite the fact that there was a warrant out for his arrest. The 18-year-old male, who is involved in a domestic violence case in Pittsburgh, remained on the run after being arrested in March and charged with simple assault and theft.

The man’s girlfriend reportedly told police that he physically abused her and in that particular instance had slapped her in the face and punched her in the head. He then allegedly tried to choke her and take away her phone. The man was arrested again and made an appearance for arraignment on the new charges.

The suspect first made an appearance in a courthouse but officials failed to check for warrants and he was therefore permitted to post bond. Then last week he was stopped by Swissvale police and taken into custody but officers were unable to locate anyone to transfer him to the Allegheny County Jail so they were forced to release him. He was finally arrested by the sheriff’s deputies two days later.

The incident has drawn criticism by the Citizen Police Review Board whose representatives say that it has exposed weaknesses in both the legal system as well as in the Pittsburgh police department’s warrant policy.

The above case says nothing about the man’s guilt or innocence, which must be decided by a court of law. But it does highlight certain inefficiencies in the system which Pittsburgh residents trust to keep them safe.  Also, this instance calls into question the bench warrant system and demonstrates how anyone can be lost in the system.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney Commercial | Real Law Firm Getting Real Results

criminal defense, Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer, Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer

When #Pittsburgh #DomesticDisputes Lead to Arrests.

A domestic dispute in Pittsburgh Knoxville area that escalated into a police standoff has resulted in the arrests of two local men. Pittsburgh police and the SWAT team responded to calls about the dispute that began just after 10pm at a home on Daytona Street. According to a report filed by officials at the city’s public safety department, Pittsburgh police surrounded the residence and found a man and woman inside engaged in a heated argument. At that point the SWAT team was called in and authorities reported that once they arrived, an 18-year-old woman was the first to exit the premises.

The woman allegedly told police that she got into an argument with her ex-boyfriend, a 25-year-old man from Coraopolis, when the man pointed a gun and fired a shot at her. Authorities issues several orders for the man to come out of the house and eventually had to fire tear gas into the home. Another man then exited the house. That man had an outstanding warrant and was immediately taken into custody and the 25-year-old was also arrested.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

criminal defense, Non Traffic Citations, Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney, Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer, Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer, Pittsburgh Fake ID, Pittsburgh Public Intoxication, Pittsburgh Public Urination

How Attending a #Pittsburgh Concert Can Impact Your Future

Several citations were issued and a number of arrests were made after a concert on the night of June 21st at Heinz Field.  A spokesperson for the #Pittsburgh police department said that both during and after the event there were 15 fights reported as well as more than 250 calls to 911 requesting police and medical services, and more than 30 people transported to area hospitals for a variety of injuries. There were also several citations issued for non-traffic related offenses including 20 people cited for scalping tickets to the event, one person cited for public intoxication, 10 people cited for public urination, and six people issued disorderly conduct citations.

In addition to the citations there were a number of arrests made. One arrest was made for disorderly conduct, one on an outstanding warrant, two arrests for assault, and three for defiant trespass. There were other arrests made in the area including several for domestic issues and prostitution but it was not made known whether they were connected to the activities associated with the concert event.

Many people may not know this but certain citations and arrests for seemingly minimal crimes and infractions, such as public intoxication, can have long term effects on your ability to get a job or even qualify for special programs. If you have been arrested or cited for an otherwise minor infraction, it may be to your benefit to fight it instead of simply paying it or pleading guilty. Give my office a call now to discuss.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.