In the state of Pennsylvania, law enforcement considers driving a serious responsibility, and expects drivers to obey all of the laws and guidelines that it has established. Among the most important of these rules are the ones dedicated to preventing people from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you have been charged with a DUI offense in the state of Pennsylvania, it is essential that you have an experienced attorney to protect your rights. James P. Peters provides legal counsel in Delaware County, Montgomery County, Chester County and Philadelphia County, as well as many other locations throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He will advise you of your rights and use his knowledge and passion to ensure that you are treated fairly and get the best possible outcome for your circumstances.

Drivers who are found to have BACs above .08 but below .10 are considered to be “generally impaired.” This can mean any of a number of penalties, including mandatory probation, fines, attendance at an alcohol highway safety school, and community service. Fines and penalties increase with subsequent violations.

Under Pennsylvania’s drunk driving laws, a driver is considered to be legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is 0.08 or more — for commercial drivers that number is halved to 0.04 percent, and for school bus drivers and drivers under the legal drinking age it is halved again to just 0.02 percent. The penalties for drunk driving vary based upon the level of the blood alcohol as well as whether there have been previous offenses: for those with a BAC of less than .10 there is no suspension of driver’s license, but for those with a BAC level that is higher of .10, as well as if you have one or two previous convictions, you face suspension on a sliding scale. If you have had three or more DUI convictions the law requires that your license be revoked for five years, with subsequent convictions extending that period of revocation.

The state’s penalties imposed for driving under the influence become even more stringent with each exacerbating factor such as drivers who are underage or responsible for driving school children, and this is because drunk drivers have been responsible for so many serious injuries and deaths of other motorists, pedestrians, passengers and cyclists. If you’ve been charged with driving under the influence it is essential that your attorney is well-equipped to provide you with an energetic defense that looks at important factors such as probably cause for being pulled over, proper calibration of the breath machine, and whether the rules of evidence are properly adhered to. James P. Peters can provide you with this type of experience. He understands the process and will work hard to get your penalties reduced or your DUI charges dismissed. For legal assistance that will explore all of your options and help you make the best decisions, contact us today.

Being charged with assault is very serious. In order to protect your rights and give yourself the best opportunities both now and in the future, it is important that you are represented by a skilled and experienced attorney who truly cares about what happens to you. James P. Peters has been practicing law in Delaware County for 25 years, and he provides a personalized approach to every case. Because the penalties for even a simple assault can include five years of prison, it is essential that you have an advocate on your side who will fight vigorously on your behalf.

Simple Assault

A simple assault is a crime against a person. It is considered a misdemeanor crime, and a charge of simple assault can be brought against you even if you did not actually cause bodily injury. Simple assault can include the act of making somebody afraid that you are going to attack them, negligently injuring somebody with a deadly weapon even if you didn’t mean to, attempting to injure somebody but not being successful, and of course intentionally injuring a person physically.

Because there is such a wide range of definitions of simple assault, it is easy for a person to be accused of the charge spitefully or erroneously. If somebody accuses you of planning to do them harm, even if you had no intention of doing so, you can still be charged with the crime, and that means you could face steep fines and time in prison. That is why it is so important that you are represented by an experienced attorney. Even if you have been charged after participating in a fight in which both parties were equally at fault, you need legal counsel to protect yourself.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is a very serious charge that demands the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. By definition, it is a first degree felony if it involves causing serious harm to a law enforcement officer or any member of the judiciary, the legal system (including parking enforcement officers), fire or emergency personnel, and other public servants. The charge is considered a second-degree felony if it involves school employees or board members. First degree aggravated assault can mean a twenty year sentence and second degree charges can result in a ten-year sentence. In all cases you can anticipate that the prosecution will be pursuing your case aggressively, so you will need a passionate defender.

Having James P. Peters as your advocate when you’ve been charged with assault means that you have a defender who knows the legal system inside and out and who will use his knowledge aggressively to protect your rights. We will examine all of the facts of the case, from the information that you provide to the evidence against you, in order to find a way to prove you innocent of the charges against you or to find the best course of action that will minimize the penalties that you face.

Being charged with a criminal offense demands immediate defensive action. Your future depends on the skill and experience of the attorney that you select to represent you, and James P. Peters has both.

When you select James P. Peters to represent you against criminal charges such as Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, Assault and Battery, Drug Possession or any other charge, you put yourself into the capable hands of an attorney who truly cares and who will put your needs first. Mr. Peters pays close attention to every case. His personal interest means that all of your questions will be answered, all of your needs addressed, and you can feel confident that the legal counsel that you are receiving is both knowledgeable and has your best interest in mind.

No matter whether the offense that you have been charged with is something minor like a traffic violation or something as serious as a crime of violence, you are always innocent until proven guilty, and James Peters is dedicated to ensuring that your rights and interests are protected. Our goal always begins with dismissal of the charges against you; when that is not possible we work hard to get you acquitted or charges and penalties that you are facing reduced.

The law firm of James P. Peters has represented countless criminal defense cases in Delaware county, Montgomery county, Chester county and Philadelphia county, as well as many others throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The criminal misdemeanors and felonies that we are able to assist you with include:

• Assault and Domestic Violence
• Drug Crimes
• Firearms and Weapons Offenses
• Sex Crimes
• Kidnapping and Family Crimes
• Theft
• Fraud
• Arson and Property Crimes
• Officer and Public Crimes
• Violent Crimes
• Juvenile Crimes
• Driving Under the Influence

From the moment that you contact our firm, we will immediately begin a thorough investigation of the facts of the case. We will work with you to understand your side of the case, asking probing questions so that we have a full understanding, and then applying our experience and knowledge of the law to provide you with the most capable defense. With over twenty-five years of experience in the Pennsylvania legal