Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer

Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer for State and Federal Charges

Facing criminal charges or learning that you are under investigation can put your freedom, reputation, career, and future at risk. Whether the allegations involve Pennsylvania state law or federal criminal statutes, understanding the evidence and your legal options is essential.

At Levenson Law Firm, Amy Jones provides direct, individualized criminal defense representation to people facing serious investigations and prosecutions in Pittsburgh, throughout Western Pennsylvania, and in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

As a Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer, Amy personally evaluates the allegations, examines the available evidence, identifies potential legal and factual defenses, and develops a strategy tailored to the circumstances of each case.

Levenson Law Firm maintains a selective caseload to provide careful preparation, direct attorney access, and candid guidance throughout the representation.

Criminal Defense in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Criminal investigations and prosecutions can involve complex factual disputes, constitutional questions, forensic evidence, financial records, electronic communications, and difficult decisions about how to proceed.

A defense strategy must account for the specific charges, the prosecution’s evidence, the applicable law, and the client’s individual circumstances.

Levenson Law Firm represents clients in matters involving:

• Drug Crimes
• White Collar Crime and Fraud
• Sex Crimes
• Violent Crimes
• Firearms Offenses
• Homicide

Each category involves distinct legal requirements, evidentiary issues, and potential consequences. Amy works directly with clients to identify the issues that matter most and develop an appropriate defense strategy.

White Collar Crime and Fraud

White collar investigations frequently involve allegations of financial misconduct, fraud, or other offenses arising from business, professional, or financial transactions. These cases may require detailed analysis of records, communications, financial transactions, and the government’s interpretation of the evidence.

Levenson Law Firm handles white collar and financial crime matters involving allegations such as:

• Bank and financial fraud: Allegations involving financial institutions, lending transactions, or the misuse of financial information.
• Wire and mail fraud: Allegations involving schemes to defraud and the use of interstate communications or the mails.
• Healthcare fraud: Investigations involving billing practices, reimbursement claims, and healthcare-related financial transactions.
• Securities and investment fraud: Allegations involving investment transactions, disclosures, or financial representations.
• Tax offenses: Investigations involving alleged tax evasion, false returns, or other tax-related criminal conduct.
• Embezzlement: Allegations involving the misappropriation of money or property entrusted to an individual.
• Government benefits fraud: Allegations involving eligibility representations, benefit applications, or receipt of government funds.

These matters may begin long before formal charges are filed. Early legal representation can help clients understand the investigation, preserve relevant information, and make informed decisions about communications with investigators.

Drug Crimes

Drug charges in Pennsylvania state and federal courts may involve possession, possession with intent to deliver, delivery, manufacturing, distribution, trafficking, or conspiracy allegations.

Potential penalties depend on the offense, the substance and quantity involved, the defendant’s criminal history, and other applicable sentencing provisions. Certain federal drug offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences, but those penalties do not apply to every drug prosecution.

Defending drug charges may require examining:

• The legality of searches, seizures, and traffic stops
• Whether the accused knowingly possessed or controlled the substances
• Evidence offered to establish intent to distribute
• Laboratory testing and chain-of-custody records
• Witness credibility and cooperating witness testimony
• Electronic communications and financial evidence
• The factual basis for alleged conspiracy or trafficking activity

Amy Jones evaluates the evidence and applicable law to identify potential defenses, evidentiary challenges, and available options for resolving the case.

Violent Crimes

Violent crime allegations can carry substantial penalties and significant personal consequences. These cases often involve disputed witness accounts, questions of intent, identification evidence, forensic findings, and potential claims of justification.

Levenson Law Firm represents clients facing allegations involving:

• Murder, manslaughter, and other homicide offenses
• Simple and aggravated assault
• Robbery and certain burglary offenses
• Kidnapping and unlawful restraint
• Terroristic threats
• Other serious offenses involving alleged force or threats of force

Depending on the circumstances, the defense may involve challenging identification evidence, examining witness credibility, evaluating forensic findings, or assessing whether self-defense or another legally recognized justification applies.

The seriousness of an allegation does not relieve the prosecution of its burden to prove every required element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

Evidence reveals the facts. Strategy determines the path.

Additional Criminal Defense Services

Criminal investigations and prosecutions involve different legal issues depending on the offense, the evidence, and whether the case proceeds in Pennsylvania state or federal court. Levenson Law Firm provides individualized representation across a range of criminal matters, including the following.

Fraud and Financial Crimes

Fraud investigations often involve extensive financial records, electronic communications, business transactions, and questions concerning a person’s knowledge or intent. Allegations may arise from business activities, professional relationships, financial transactions, or applications for government benefits.

Amy Jones represents individuals facing state and federal fraud allegations, including:

• Tax Fraud
• Credit Card Fraud
• Mortgage Fraud
• Securities Fraud
• Government Benefits Fraud
• Healthcare Fraud
• Bank Fraud
• Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud
• Embezzlement and Other Financial Crimes

Defending these matters may require detailed analysis of the alleged transactions, the government’s loss calculations, the evidence of intent, and the reliability of financial or forensic accounting evidence.

Because financial crime investigations may begin before charges are filed, early representation can be particularly important when responding to subpoenas, investigative inquiries, or requests for documents.

Sex Crimes

Sex crime allegations can have serious consequences for a person’s freedom, reputation, professional opportunities, and family relationships. Depending on the offense, a conviction may also trigger sex offender registration requirements.

Levenson Law Firm represents individuals facing allegations involving sexual assault, rape, statutory sexual offenses, sexual abuse, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and other criminal sexual offenses.

These cases may involve disputed accounts, electronic communications, forensic evidence, identification issues, and questions concerning the elements of the charged offense.

Amy Jones approaches these matters with discretion, careful evidence analysis, and individualized preparation.

Learn more about Pittsburgh sex crime defense.

Firearms Offenses

Pennsylvania and federal firearms laws impose different requirements and restrictions concerning firearm possession, carrying, acquisition, and transfer.

Levenson Law Firm handles firearms cases involving allegations such as:

• Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
• Carrying a firearm without a required license
• False statements in connection with firearm purchases
• Unlawful firearm transfers or possession
• Firearms offenses charged in connection with other alleged criminal conduct

Defense issues may include the legality of a search or seizure, whether the accused knowingly possessed the firearm, the applicability of statutory restrictions, and whether the prosecution can establish every required element of the offense.

Learn more about Pittsburgh firearms defense.

Assault Charges

Assault charges in Pennsylvania range from misdemeanor allegations to serious felony offenses. The grading and potential penalties depend on the alleged conduct, the resulting injury, the required mental state, and other statutory factors.

Defense considerations may include whether the accused acted intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly; whether the evidence establishes the alleged injury; and whether self-defense or defense of another person may apply.

Witness credibility, medical evidence, surveillance footage, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged confrontation may be central to the defense.

Homicide and Manslaughter

Homicide allegations are among the most serious criminal charges under Pennsylvania law. They may involve charges of murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, or other offenses involving the death of another person.

These offenses have distinct elements and mental-state requirements. Voluntary manslaughter, for example, is not necessarily an unintentional killing, and the circumstances distinguishing murder from manslaughter can be legally significant.

Homicide defense may involve forensic pathology, medical evidence, witness accounts, questions of intent, causation, and legally recognized justification defenses.

Learn more about Pittsburgh homicide defense.

Expungements and Pardons

A criminal record can affect employment, housing, professional licensing, and other opportunities long after a case has concluded.

Depending on the circumstances, Pennsylvania law may provide options for expungement or other forms of record relief. Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the disposition, and applicable statutory requirements.

For individuals seeking relief from the consequences of a conviction, a pardon may provide another avenue for consideration.

Levenson Law Firm helps clients evaluate their eligibility, understand the applicable procedures, and pursue appropriate relief.

Criminal Appeals and Post-Conviction Relief

A conviction or sentence does not necessarily end the available legal options. Depending on the case, appellate or post-conviction proceedings may provide an opportunity to challenge legal errors or raise qualifying constitutional claims.

Direct appeals generally focus on issues preserved in the trial court and reflected in the record. Proceedings under Pennsylvania’s Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) are governed by separate eligibility requirements, filing deadlines, and substantive standards.

Levenson Law Firm evaluates appellate and post-conviction matters to determine whether potentially viable grounds for relief exist.

Learn more about post-conviction relief.

Criminal Defense in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania

Levenson Law Firm is based in Pittsburgh and represents clients facing criminal investigations and prosecutions throughout Western Pennsylvania.

The firm’s geographic focus includes Allegheny County and surrounding counties, including Beaver, Butler, Armstrong, Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette, Lawrence, Indiana, Mercer, and Somerset counties.

Amy Jones also represents clients in federal criminal matters in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Whether a case begins with an investigation, arrest, summons, indictment, or post-conviction inquiry, the applicable court and procedural requirements are important considerations in developing a defense strategy.

Why Choose Levenson Law Firm?

At Levenson Law Firm, every client works directly with Amy Jones. The firm is intentionally structured around a selective caseload, individualized preparation, and direct attorney access.

Amy’s approach to criminal defense emphasizes four principles:

• Evidence: Carefully examining the facts, identifying disputed issues, and evaluating what the prosecution can establish.
• Judgment: Providing candid advice grounded in the applicable law, available evidence, and realistic assessment of risk.
• Strategy: Developing a defense tailored to the charges, procedural posture, and client’s objectives.
• The Individual: Recognizing that every criminal case involves a person whose circumstances, responsibilities, and future matter.

Effective criminal defense requires more than familiarity with criminal statutes. It requires preparation, attention to detail, clear communication, and thoughtful decisions about how best to protect the client’s interests.

No lawyer can guarantee dismissal, acquittal, or a particular sentence. Levenson Law Firm is committed to careful preparation, sound professional judgment, and individualized representation.

When Your Future Is at Stake, Judgment Matters.

Speak With a Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are under investigation, have been arrested, or are facing state or federal criminal charges, Amy Jones can help you understand your rights, evaluate the evidence, and consider your legal options.

Levenson Law Firm represents clients in Pittsburgh and throughout Western Pennsylvania, providing direct, individualized criminal defense representation.

Request a Confidential Consultation or call Amy Jones directly at (917) 406-7165.