Tag Archives: Pittsburgh Domestic Violence Lawyer

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No Takebacks: Why You Can’t Just “Drop the Charges” #CriminalDefenseAttorney

No, you Can’t Just “Drop The Charges”. Frank Walker Law

One of the most common misconceptions about our criminal justice system is the concept of individuals “pressing charges.” You see it on tv all the time. Someone is wronged, whether it be they are hit, or they are perceived to be slighted, and they threaten the other person by stating “I’m going to press charges!”  While its true that people can report crime to the police and even fill out private criminal complaints, the decision about whether to proceed with charges or not rests solely with the office of the District Attorney.

The most common time this comes into play is in scenarios involving domestic violence.  An argument gets heated between two romantic partners, and one of the people in the fight calls the police and says the other person is attacking them. Whether its true or not, one or both of the participants gets hauled off to jail and gets charged with assault, aggravated assault, or harassment.  After some time passes, the person who called the cops decides that they no longer wish to pursue charges.  If they were lying, they call to recant what they said.  However, most of the time these people are in for a rude awakening as the District Attorney may continue to pursue the charges.

While it seems unfair, there’s reasons behind this.  First is to avoid potential witness intimidation.  Often when someone recants a police report, its because they’ve been contacted by their attacker and intimidated into retracting their claims.  Next, even if someone lied, that person is unlikely to come forward for fear of prosecution. Making a false report to police officers is a serious crime.   It ends up being a catch 22, where people who file false police charges are forced to double down on their lie to avoid prosecution.

If you find yourself in a situation like the one described above, you need an experienced attorney to successfully resolve the situation.  With the help of an attorney, the District Attorney can be convinced to drop the charges or consider alternative resolutions such as counseling, anger management classes, or some other form of help that will address the underlying issues without ending up with a conviction on your record.  With years of experience dealing with prosecutors and helping clients and their families, Attorney Walker can help. Phone lines are open 24/7, 365 at 412-532-6805 to reach the Pittsburgh office or (304) 712-2089 for the office in Morgantown, West Virginia. Call now to set up a consultation!

About Frank Walker Law

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer, and Personal Injury Attorney who has been recognized as a Super Lawyer, Best Attorneys in America and a Top AVVO Rated 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 412-532-6805, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

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Bad Romance: When a Bad Breakup Leads to Criminal Charges

Frank Walker Law
      

*** If you are a victim of Domestic Violence, please seek help immediately by contacting local authorities or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233). ***  

In romantic relationships, emotions run high and thinking is not always rational.  During a bad breakup, the potential for allegations of a criminal offense are particularly high. When you combine hurt feelings with a sense of being wronged and a taste of bitterness, and you mix in the arguing and fighting that may ensue, potentially illegal behavior is a highly possible outcome. After substance abuse and money, interpersonal romantic issues are one of the most common reasons behind the commission of a criminal offense.

Often times, breakup fights get physical.  One person may get slapped, bitten, punched, or shaken. One person may grab the other person in a way that leaves marks or bruises. Or threats may be made unthinkingly. If the cops are called to the scene, either one or both of the people involved may find themselves with criminal charges including harassment, assault, simple assault, aggravated assault and terroristic threats. It is a common misconception that the person reporting the crime is “pressing charges” against the other person. Instead, it is in the discretion of the office of the District Attorney’s office about whether to pursue and maintain criminal charges. Even after reconciliation, the DA’s office can and will still pursue serious criminal charges against the accused even over the protest of the alleged victim.

Sometimes even nonviolent contact can lead to criminal charges. After a breakup, the person who initiated the breakup may refuse to answer phone calls or respond to texts. The other person, unwilling to accept that the relationship has ended may call and/or text over and over again trying to get their attention, or show up repeatedly at their house or place of work. This type of conduct can result in charges of harassment or stalking.

Many times a bad breakup or fight may result in one party obtaining a protection form abuse order (PFA) against the other.  Once a PFA order is in place, any attempt to contact the  person who got the order, either calling them or talking to them in person can result in criminal charges for indirect criminal contempt, punishable with up to 6 months of incarceration for each violation.  Individuals can get in trouble for violating these no contact provisions even when it’s the victim who reaches out and initiates the contact in the first place!

If you’ve had a bad breakup that turned messy, and you now find yourself facing an eviction, criminal charges, and/or civil proceedings, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney. Don’t allow your emotions to cloud your thinking. You know that you need a qualified representative to fight the charges and help you navigate these tumultuous waters. Attorney Frank Walker can help. With years of experience helping both men and women accused of charges stemming from a bad breakup, Attorney Frank Walker can get the charges dismissed or reduced, fight PFA proceedings, and help you be in a good situation both financially and professionally moving forward. Give him a call today! Our lines are open 24/7 at 412-532-6805.

*** If you are a victim of Domestic Violence, please seek help immediately by contacting local authorities or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233). ***

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. Attorney Walker is also a member of the National College for DUI Defense and qualified as a Pennsylvania Death Penalty Defense Attorney.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident in WV or PA, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-532-6805, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation following a serious accident or injury.

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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.