The law firm of Rominger & Associates provides aggressive criminal defense in both State and Federal Court. The firm focuses on helping the client reach an appropriate resolution to the charges, while protecting the client's rights. Where an acquittal or dismissal is appropriate, all avenues of the defense are explored and used to the client's advantage. When a plea or other compromise is the client's best answer, we facilitate the same with the Courts and the District Attorneys.

We routinely enter our appearance in criminal matters at all phases, including at Preliminary Hearings, Arraignments, Bail Reduction Hearings, Trials, and at the Appellate level. No matter what the crime is charged, you can rest assured we will do everything the law allows to protect you or your family member's rights.

The firm's attorneys have appeared in criminal matters throughout Pennsylvania, including; Harrisburg, Carlisle, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Erie and numerous other areas around the State. Click here to learn more about DUI

There is an ever growing body of criminal law which regulates each and everyone of us. Some of the charges that can be brought in State Court typically include:

ASSAULT

Simple or aggravated, assault in Pennsylvania generally encompasses incidents where it has been alleged that the Defendant acted with some level of intent to harm another. Simple assault can include events like bar room brawls, punching your neighbor, or brandishing a weapon to place someone in fear of serious bodily harm.

Aggravated assault is a much more serious charge, which encompasses those actions or attempts which can or do cause serious bodily injury. Pennsylvania law defines serious bodily injury fairly broadly, but the definition generally includes any injury which is disfiguring, disabling or otherwise life threatening. Additionally, use of a deadly weapon such as a knife or firearm can result in sentencing enhancements and/or can be used as an aggravating factor.

For simple assault there are many defenses available, including but not limited to mistaken identity, (wrong person), self-defense, justification, and/or a lack of intent. It should be noted in regards to assault, as with some other crimes, one may need to only have acted recklessly and not with a specific intent to be found guilty under the law. Obviously, an experienced lawyer will need to explain to you how the law applies to any particular case. You can contact one of our lawyers by clicking here.

THEFT

The law breaks theft down into many different categories. Under Pennsylvania law, one generally commits a theft when one takes something from another, with the intent of depriving them of the use of the same. Depending upon the type of theft alleged, the elements of the crime which must be proven vary widely. For instance, the crime of receiving stolen property is a form of theft. To prove it, the government would have to show that someone possessed or received, from another, the stolen property, and either they knew it was stolen or should have known that it was stolen. One example is the classic scenario of the ten dollar television set. A jury could find no reasonable person would not know it was stolen, and infer intent.

A robbery is a commission of a theft by use of force however slight. The law does not look kindly on the use of force upon another individual in the furtherance of a crime. For this reason, robbery is a very serious charge, which if proven could have serious consequences for the Defendant. Many times robbery is charged along with the lesser included crimes of theft. Many times a criminal case can be resolved by demonstrating to a jury, a Judge, or a prosecutor that no force was used in the commission of the theft, and that while a theft charge may be appropriate, the much more serious crime of robbery is not appropriate.

Retail theft is also a major area of the Pennsylvania theft laws, which encompasses shoplifting and the theft of services or goods from retailers. Each conviction for retail theft raises the grading of each subsequent retail theft. Therefore, while a first offender may be facing a summary charge, a subsequent offense could become a misdemeanor or felony. Thus a plea to a first offense of retail theft, while tempting, may not be the best course of action if the Commonwealth can not prove its case. Again, there are many factors to consider with retail theft or any other theft that an experienced lawyer would need to explain to you, and to help you understand how the law applies to the particular facts of your case. You can contact one of our lawyers by clicking here.

MURDER AND MANSLAUGHTER

Pennsylvania law breaks killings down into a number of categories. These categories are based upon the circumstances of the death of the victim, and are mostly related to the intent of the Defendant at the time of the act.

The least serious of the homicide crimes include manslaughter and homicide by vehicle. Neither of these crimes require the intent to kill as the only proof necessary is that one acted recklessly and that the reckless conduct led to the death of the victim. In Pennsylvania the most serious degree of murder is first degree, and the Commonwealth may seek the death penalty.

Homicide crimes are generally the most serious overall, in terms of potential penalties and the seriousness of the consequences. An experienced lawyer would have to help you understand how the law applies to the facts of your particular case.

You can contact one of our lawyers by clicking here.