Hermitage Criminal Defense Lawyer

Hermitage Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been accused of committing a crime, it doesn’t matter whether it is a felony or a misdemeanor. You need a Hermitage criminal defense lawyer on your side who can help you understand the charges being brought against you, construct an effective defense, and negotiate a good plea deal or provide aggressive courtroom representation at the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas if it becomes necessary.

MEET THE ATTORNEY

Stanton D. Levenson

Partner, Criminal Defense · Pittsburgh, PA

Stanton has defended clients in serious state and federal cases for more than five decades.
He is a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers and a past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• 50+ years in criminal defense
• Federal and white-collar experience
• Fellow, ABCL • Past President, PACDL

Contact Us Today

Trust Stanton D. Levenson, P.A. Law Offices

Criminal defendants looking for a lawyer they can trust to provide an effective defense can turn to Stanton D. Levenson, P.A. Law Offices. We have been taking on criminal defense cases for over 50 years, and in that time, we have handled everything from serious felonies to minor summary offenses. No matter what kind of charges you are facing, we will do everything possible to defend you against them and prevent a negative outcome.

Why Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

Hermitage, PA, has lower rates of violent crime than the national average, with just 96.6 assaults per 100,000 residents and 12.9 robberies per 100,000 residents yearly, compared to the national averages of 282.7 and 135.5, respectively. However, it also has higher rates of theft than average, with 2,842.4 instances of theft per 100,000 people.

Overall, Pennsylvania has over 73,000 people behind bars, and 32% of all criminal cases have ended in conviction so far in 2025. If you don’t want to become one of the many people in Pennsylvania’s jails and prisons, you should hire a Hermitage criminal defense attorney as soon as charges are brought against you. It’s the most effective way to increase your chances of getting your case dismissed and reduce the chances of facing time if convicted.

Understanding Reasonable Doubt

One of the most important steps your lawyer will take to protect your rights is to determine the most effective defense against the charges you are facing. The type of defense your lawyer uses will vary depending on factors such as the nature of the crime, the severity of the crime, and whether you intend to plead guilty or innocent. An effective defense will show that there is a reasonable doubt as to whether you committed the crime or should be held responsible for it.

To be convicted, you need to be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. You are considered innocent until proven guilty, meaning that it’s not your job to prove that you are innocent. It’s the prosecutor’s job to prove you are guilty, and your defense attorney’s to show that there are other explanations for the crime.

What If I Committed the Crime?

The first thing you should know is that any admissions of guilt made to your lawyer are protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you committed the crime and intend to admit your guilt, you could still build an effective defense against the charges based on the idea that you should not be held responsible for the criminal activity. Most defense strategies based on this idea fall into one of these categories:

• Self-defense. If you committed a violent act against another person in self-defense, you may not be held responsible for what would otherwise be considered a criminal act.
• Insanity defense. You must have been of sound mind when you committed the crime to be held responsible for it. The insanity defense aims to prove that you were not.
• Entrapment. If law enforcement coerced you into committing a crime you would not otherwise have committed, you cannot be held responsible for it. This act is known as entrapment.

FAQs

What Is the Difference Between a Criminal Lawyer and a Defense Attorney?

The difference between a criminal lawyer and a defense attorney is that while “criminal lawyer” is a broad term that describes both prosecutors and defense attorneys, defense attorneys represent only clients being accused of criminal charges. When you hire a criminal defense lawyer to help you fight misdemeanor or felony charges, you are hiring a criminal defense lawyer, specifically.

What Is the Hardest Crime to Defend Against?

The hardest crime to defend against is first-degree murder. Other serious crimes, especially those that target vulnerable populations like children or the elderly, are also notoriously difficult to defend against in court. Certain white collar crimes can be difficult to defend against, not because of their emotional weight but because of the complexity of the charges, with evidence being brought against defendants.

Do Defense Lawyers Know if a Client Is Guilty?

Defense lawyers do not necessarily know if a client is guilty because their role isn’t to determine guilt. It’s to provide a vigorous legal defense against the charges. If you tell your defense lawyer that you committed the crime, they’ll know you’re guilty. If you don’t, they may not. Attorney-client privilege protects any admissions made to your lawyer regarding your guilt or innocence.

What Should I Do if I Am Arrested?

There are several things you should do if you are arrested. Try to remain calm and comply with law enforcement. Invoke your right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you, so you want to exercise this right if questioned. Call an attorney to start defending your rights. Wait for them to arrive and let them take over answering questions so you do not implicate yourself. Try to document everything you remember about the arrest.

Your Hermitage Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal charges can carry severe penalties in Pennsylvania, depending on the nature of the crime. Having a Hermitage criminal defense lawyer on your team to defend you against those charges is one of the most important things you can do to help prevent a negative outcome.

Stanton D. Levenson, P.A. Law Offices, can provide you with a robust defense against your charges. We’ve been practicing for over 50 years and have a clear understanding of how to use criminal defense laws to improve your situation pretrial and in court. You can trust us to provide you with legal advice and representation. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.

Client Testimonials

“Stan and Amy were the most professional and understanding attorneys I have ever met. They heard my questions and answered in a timely fashion. Also not guilty on all counts. They are the absolute best.” – Mike L. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I have never met more kinder, caring, patient, nonjudgmental people. Amy and Stan are the absolute best! I highly recommend them and their services!” – Rachel W. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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