Dealing with Criminal Charges that Carry Mandatory Minimum Sentences

 

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is somewhat lenient on people convicted of a crime for the first time their lives. However, sometimes the District Attorney and more importantly, the sentencing judge, are bound by the law and therefore cannot be lenient.

 

 

In Pennsylvania, certain offenses, even first time offenses for first time offenders, carry mandatory minimum sentences. That means, if you are convicted of one of those offenses there is no wiggle room. There is no argument that you should receive less time incarcerated. The judge will be bound to sentence you to no less than the mandatory minimum.

 

 

Most people might assume that mandatory minimum sentences attach to serious or violent crimes, and that is often the case, but they also attach to one of the most common offenses; Driving Under the Influence.

 

 

Potential clients are sometimes shocked to hear the penalties they are facing for a DUI. For example, a first time offender with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of above .16 is looking at a mandatory sentence of 72 hours. A person with a second offense within ten years is looking at a mandatory sentence of at least 90 days in jail and a third time offender is looking at a minimum sentence of 1 year.

 

 

Another example are people charged with possessing drugs with the intent to deliver. If you are convicted of being in a school zone you are looking at a mandatory sentence of 2 years. A first time offender with between 2 to <10lbs of marijuana is looking at 1 year.

 

 

There are multiple other drug, sex, and violent offenses that carry mandatory minimums if you are convicted and it is important to hire an attorney who is aware of these laws and able to discuss all of your options when you are charged with a crime. If you are charged with these there is still time to try and negotiate the charges. Remember, you will only be facing those mandatory sentences if you are convicted and hiring an experienced attorney to work out a plea agreement to offenses that do not carry mandatory minimum sentences is the best way to try and avoid them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are charged with a crime or would like to discuss this blog and/or mandatory minimum sentences please contact Vincent Monfredo, Esquire at monfredo@romingerlaw.com or 717-241-6070.