Pittsburgh White-Collar Criminal Defense

Diversion of money?
Diversion of drugs like Fentanyl?

REMEMBER YOUR RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT and contact Attorney Paletta at joseph@lawyerpaletta.com, or call 412.391.7999 immediately!

Delay at your own risk.

If you are a professional and have found yourself in the unfortunate position of being the target of an internal company investigation, or you have been charged with a crime, it is critical to discuss your situation with Attorney Paletta before speaking with ANYONE, especially law enforcement or an internal company investigator.  The actions you take first may determine your options later.  In other words, if your speak to law enforcement or an internal company investigator, you are likely to make "admissions" or "statements against your interest."  This circumstance will make it much more difficult if not impossible to present an effective defense even if one existed before making a statement.
Confer with Attorney Paletta first, understand your rights and possible defenses, and keep all your options open.  When in doubt, remain silent and consult with Attorney Paletta.

http://www.pittsburghcriminallawfirm.com/

RETAIN A LAWYER WHO KNOWS THE TENDENCIES OF YOUR JUDGE

If you are being prosecuted for any crime, including crimes such as Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI) or Possession with the Intent to Deliver (PWID) Narcotics, you as the Defendant have many critical decisions to make.  The first decision you must make is which lawyer to hire.  When making this decision, be certain not to confuse a lawyer who is a good marketer/advertiser with a lawyer who actually knows his profession and performs his job well.

 One aspect of being a good criminal defense lawyer and performing that job well is knowing the tendencies of the Judge to which your case is assigned.  This is significant for purposes of informing the Client of what to expect in the worst case scenario.  For example, for a DUI conviction, certain Judges will not permit Home Electronic Monitoring or “House Arrest” for a third (3^rd) DUI conviction.  Also, for a Narcotics conviction, certain Judges will sentence an older person more harshly than a younger person because an older person should make better decisions.  Retaining a lawyer who is familiar with these tendencies helps the lawyer to advise the Client to make better decisions.  

To discuss this topic further, you are invited to contact Attorney Joseph Paletta to schedule an office consultation.  E-mail joseph@palettalaw.com  or call 412.391.7999.

 

Joseph Paletta, Esq.

#LAWYER

Com v. B.N. - Public Drunkenness - Case Results

Click the link below to find out more....

http://attorneypalettacaseresults.blogspot.com/2012/10/com-v-bn-summary-trial-public.html

Com v. P.F. - Preliminary Hearing Case Results

Commonwealth v. P.F.  (Preliminary Hearing)

 

 

Client, who is a business professional was charged with a Misdemeanor-3  -   Disorderly Conduct and a Summary - Harassment.  If convicted of these charges, this Client's career could be put in jeopardy.

 

 

Click on the link below to read more and find out the case results.....

http://attorneypalettacaseresults.blogspot.com/2012/10/Com.v.P.F.html

"Pittsburgh Defense Attorneys Question Sandusky Strategy"

Attorney Paletta's view:

"Two veteran Pittsburgh defense lawyers questioned the decision by former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky's lawyer to waive his client's right to a preliminary hearing today.

Another Pittsburgh defense attorney, Joseph Paletta, said waiving the hearing "was certainly a reasonable decision under the circumstances."

One reason lawyers will do that is if an accuser doesn't appear or isn't available for the trial, the prosecutor could introduce the transcript of the witness's preliminary hearing testimony "to remedy that unavailability," Mr. Paletta said. Without it, the witness's no-show creates an "automatic win" for the defense at trial, he said.

Another reason supporting a decision to waive the hearing is that the victims' testimony was likely to be ugly and traumatic "with the likelihood that the case would be held for court anyway," he said."


Source: PostGazette, "Pittsburgh defense attorneys question Sandusky strategy" Jon Schmitz, Dec. 13, 2011

PROBATION / PAROLE

Parole and Probation Law in Pittsburgh

What is the difference between probation and parole?

Probation involves no imprisonment, and it is a conditional release of the defendant by the trial court after his or her conviction, under the control of the probationary officer.  Parole is a provisional release from confinement.

                                                 http://www.pittsburghcriminallawfirm.com/

SEARCH AND SEIZURE

Do I have the right to challenge a police search of my home, business, or other place?

Yes, you have the right to challenge a search if it involves a violation of your constitutional rights.

You must assert a reasonable subjective expectation of privacy in the place to be searched. Generally, you may object to any search that is made without a warrant, and those searches made pursuant to a warrant must be strictly limited to the places, items, and times specified in the warrant.

http://www.pittsburghcriminallawfirm.com/