Let’s face the fact Philadelphia has a bad reputation in terms of criminal cases. Every now and then, we hear cases of battery charges for assault in grocery stores or public spots making Philadelphia the talk of the town in newspapers.
All of this has ended up in many pending criminal cases in Philadelphia. Let’s get a deeper insight into the crime levels happening in this spot and see how it affects people.
What level of crime happens in Philadelphia?
As always, Pennsylvania tops to be the innovator with creating the three different crime levels in most commonwealths and states. Most commonwealths divide the crime cases into two categories, including misdemeanors and felonies. When talking about Philadelphia, the crime level depends on the severity of the case.
Most summary offenses come with minor breaks presented in the court of the law. It is punishable up to $200 along with 90 days imprisonment in jail. A typical example includes – disorderly conduct, shoplifting, criminal mischief, underage drinking, and much more. Here, you can receive a citation incorporated with violation charge details, the amount of fine to be paid, and other instructions associated with it. This paper reveals how you are supposed to pay for it at the time of acceptable payment at the court.
Misdemeanor cases are considered minor criminal cases where one is likely not to be arrested but may get fined up to $15,000 for sure. Again when talking about the felony cases, these may be punishable as it comes from a severe cases category.
What is the order of events involved in most criminal cases held in Philadelphia?
Arrest – The process of a criminal case presented in the eye of the law begins with arresting the culprit. The defaulter gets arrested without showcasing any legit arrest warrant. This is when the police officer finds you committing a criminal activity in front of her or him. No matter if you commit a felony or misdemeanor, the severity of punishment remains the same.
Hire an attorney immediately –
As soon as you get arrested or held for something that you have not done, consult an attorney right away. Hiring a reliable Philadelphia criminal lawyer often takes time. Therefore, begin the process early to seek legal assistance at the right time. The PSD (pretrial services division) is responsible for appointing counsel for all the legit criminal cases. This is when you fail to hire a professional attorney for your case.
Bail –
The bail process is initiated after getting a nod from the Criminal Justice Center on Filbert Street. Generally, this office remains open 24*7, including holidays, yet it’s good to connect with their staff before visiting and presenting your case in real-time. In case you have any doubt regarding the processes or detailed information on documentation, you can seek advice from Criminal Justice Center or the hired lawyer.
The last line –
Criminal cases never offer a pleasant experience. This requires dealing with legal professionals and undergo delicate processes to fulfill punishments. These factors arise from the need to collaborate with a legal helping hand like criminal lawyers in Philadelphia.
