Greater Philadelphia, PA Sex Crimes Lawyer
Greater Philadelphia Rape and Molestation Lawyer

Attorney Joe Mitchell has represented individuals charged with sex crimes such as Internet sex crimes, child molestation, rape & statutory rape , indecent exposure, lewd act in public, sexual battery, possession of child pornography and solicitation for prostitution . The penalties for sex crimes range anywhere from unsupervised probation to fines, treatment programs, life registration as a sex offender, county jail and even state prison.

Sex offenses are serious crimes that require complex defenses. Attorney Joe Mitchell can help you if you are charged with a sex crime by:

• Arranging for bail, bail reduction, or for being released on your promise to return and appear in court
• Understanding the possible penalties and likely outcome of the case
• Hiring an investigator to interview witnesses and gather evidence favorable to your case
• Negotiating with the prosecutor for a reduction of the charges and sentence
• Presenting the best legal defense for your case and challenge the prosecutor to prove its case
• Seeking alternative sentencing programs such as house arrest (electronic monitoring), residential treatment, counseling, and informal probation

Attorney Joe Mitchell can help defend you against these serious charges. Call the office and arrange for a free consultation to discuss the specific facts of your case.

Greater Philadelphia Child Molestation Lawyer

Greater Philadelphia Child Abuse Attorney

Child molestation/abuse is a crime that may carry a lasting social stigma and serious legal consequences. Those accused of these crimes are despised, ostracized and shunned by society. Even the mere mention or suspicion of this type of crime is enough to have someone run out of the community. Society views these types of crimes to be far worse than most criminal charges. Keep in mind that a conviction on these charges could mean a lifetime registration as a sex offender.

It is important that you entrust your case to an attorney who understands the law on these cases and knows how to approach and defend against these difficult cases. Attorney Joe Mitchell understands these cases and has defended many individuals accused of these crimes in Los Angeles. He has successfully defended against many cases involving false accusations by children and has kept a number of individuals falsely accused from going to prison for long periods of time.
Child Molestation Charges are a Serious Matter!

Please call my office if you are:

• BEING ACCUSED/SUSPECTED OF CHILD MOLESTATION or
• BEING INVESTIGATED FOR SUSPECTED CHILD MOLESTATION or
• CHARGED FORMALLY WITH CHLD MOLESTATION

Contacting an Attorney

It is especially important early on in the case to obtain an attorney. Whatever you do, do not attempt to handle this matter on your own or by seeking advice from family members. Do not talk to law enforcement if you are being investigated. You have a constitutional right not to talk to law enforcement. Anything you say can and will be used against you! Obtain an attorneyto guide you through this difficult situation.

CALL THE OFFICES OF ATTORNEY JOE MITCHELL AND SPEAK TO A QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION. He is available to meet with you and your family to discuss the specific facts of your case privately and confidentially.

Many people who have been arrest for a criminal charge may find that the arrest on their record keeps them from achieving some of their goals in life. Perhaps it is a felony offense committed 15 years ago, or a misdemeanor shoplifting offense committed at age 18. Many criminal offenses can be expunged, or cleared from your record, giving you a fresh start free of the stigma of your previous criminal arrest. Convictions can not be expunged, however a pardon may be available in certain circumstances.

Attorney Joe Mitchell and his office staff understand that many individuals who are not career criminals nevertheless have a blemish on their criminal record. By clearing or sealing the record of the offense, you get a clean start that lets you apply for jobs that would involve background checks, apply for credit, and generally make a fresh start without a criminal record. Please take a look below at the answers to some frequently asked questions regarding clearing criminal records.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Expungements

(Clearing Criminal Records)

WHAT DOES A CRIMINAL RECORD CONSIST OF?

A criminal record is a history of all of your arrests and convictions. ADD: Adult Criminal Records for Pennsylvania arrests and convictions can be found online at http://ujsportal.pacourts.us.

CAN A CRIMINAL RECORD BE CLEARED, SEALED OR DESTROYED?

Yes, arrests, dismissals and not guilty verdicts can be cleared (or cleansed) from ones criminal record through a legal process known as an "Expungement." An Expungement is a process of clearing or sealing a portion ones criminal records. Convictions can only be erased through a pardon from the govenor.

 WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO "EXPUNGE" OR SEAL YOUR CRIMINAL RECORD?

Having a criminal record impacts your ability to obtain credit or to get the job you want. There are other serious consequences of having a criminal conviction. For example, in todays tight economy employers are doing extensive background checks before hiring new employees. Apartment complexes often reject tenant applications based on criminal records. Criminal records can even affect your ability to obtain a professional license.

A potential employer or landlord can easily obtain your criminal record or history. Law enforcement agencies, (Police and Sheriffs departments), Court and County clerks offices, prosecutorial agencies (District Attorney, City Attorney, U.S. Attorney), and the FBI maintain criminal histories. Many of these records are now available to the general public by way of the Internet. If your criminal arrest, dismissal or not guilty verdict is sealed or expunged then you are legally allowed to say that the arrest never occurred on documents such as job applications, rental applications, or for many other purposes. An expungement gives someone a "clean slate", the opportunity to start fresh.

CAN CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS BE  EXPUNGED?

No, criminal convictions can not be expunged.  Any arrest not resulting in a conviction has the possibility of being expunged. Your attorney can give you the best advice on whether your arrest can be expunged.

HOW DOES THE EXPUNGEMENT PROCESS WORK?

After it is determined that you qualify for an expungement, our office prepares a petition/motion. This petition/motion is filed with the Court and a copy is sent to the appropriate prosecutors office. A hearing date is scheduled in the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia or the surrounding counties. At the hearing the Judge will consider the specific facts and circumstances in your case. Your record will be reviewed, or checked.  In addition, the Judge will listen to the prosecutor, as well as your attorneys arguments before deciding whether or not to grant the expungement motion.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET YOUR RECORD EXPUNGED?

The process usually takes 2 to 4 months to complete locally. Pardons can take up to 2 years.

 EXPUNGE CRIMINAL RECORDS

Contact Attorney Joe Mitchell to discuss your matter and determine whether it qualifies for an expungement. We can assist you in expunging your criminal record and you may not even have to make a court appearance. Please call us at 215-557-7111 for a FREE CONSULTATION

Contact an Experienced Attorney to Seal Your Criminal Record
If you have any questions or would like to speak directly to an experienced criminal attorney regarding clearing your criminal record (expungements and pardons), please do not hesitate to call my Philadelphia office at 215-557-7111 for a FREE CONSULTATION. If you prefer, you may e-mail us and Attorney Mitchell or his experienced staff will be in touch with you as soon as possible.