Note: If the property you seek to have returned is a gun or money, you should contact an attorney, as the retrieval of such property can be complicated.  Why not call my office?  I have more than 20 years of experience in these matters.

I.What You Need:

First, you’ll need a copy of the petition forms.  They can be downloaded here: http://www.courts.phila.gov/pdf/forms/criminal/01-206-Return-of-Property.pdf

You will also need the following: a copy of the Police Property Receipt, Case Number, Police Photo Number, and case disposition. When your property was seized by the Police Department, a Property Receipt was issued to you. For each property receipt, you must file a separate petition.

Once your petition is filled out, you will need to get the petition notarized by a notary.

II. Filing Your Petition

You should file the original Petition and 2 copies in Room 206 of the Criminal Justice Center (The filing fee is $12.50). The Motions Clerk will list the Petition for a status listing at 9:00 A.M. in courtroom 478 City Hall within thirty (30) days. The District Attorney’s Office will investigate the facts of your case.

III. Representation

You may represent yourself or you may hire an attorney to represent you at the status listing. An Attorney will not be appointed for you, nor will the hearing be continued for you to get a lawyer. If you fail to appear at the conference listing, your petition will be dismissed and your property forfeited to the Commonwealth. You are the responsible moving party in this petition, so be prepared to move forward.

IV. After The Petition Is Granted

If your Petition is granted by the Judge, you will receive a Short Certificate from the Court Clerk or Trial Commissioner, or you may be sent to Room 206 of the Criminal Justice Center for a Certified Copy of the Order and Petition.

V. Getting Your Property Back

With the paperwork, proceed to the Police Evidence Unit in Room 715 of City Hall, where your Property may be returned to you or further instructions will be given to you. The Police Evidence Unit will require proper identification, such as a Driver’s License, Birth Certificate, Employment Identification Card, or similar substantial identification. If the property is a vehicle, the storage Fees are stopped at the time of filing.

I know how important it is to the family members of the accused that they be able to stay in touch with their loved ones.  For this reason, I have included the visiting hours and information for the various prisons within the Philadelphia Prison System below.

Note: The only holiday visits that are allowed are Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.

I. Important Things to Know When Visiting Prisons:

Visitors must present valid photo identification, such as a passport, driver’s or non-driver’s license, or foreign consular identification card. Minors may visit only when accompanied by a parent or guardian, and some proof of relationship, such as birth certificate, must be presented. No more than two adults and two children may visit at one time. All visitors will be searched prior to entering the visiting area.
Visitors may not wear transparent or revealing clothing. Hooded clothing, halter-tops, tank tops, crop tops, white tee shirts, miniskirts, hot pants, and shorts are not permitted. Tops exceeding hip length must be worn with spandex tights or stretch pants. Bermuda shorts are permitted.

II. How can I Find Out an Inmate’s Location and Photo ID Number (PID) Information?

Note: For location and ID number information, please try the link to the Philadelphia Inmate Locator, available here: http://www.phila.gov/prisons/inmatelocator/InmateLocator.aspx

Call (215) 685-8394, (215) 685-8395, (215) 685-8396, (215) 685-7957, or (215) 685-7958. Spanish-speaking persons may call (215) 685-8692. The office is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. To avoid peak calling hours on weekdays, call before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. An inmate’s Photo ID number never changes. The same PID number is retained throughout an individual’s entire criminal career.

III. What Items May I Bring to the Inmate I am Visiting?

CIVILIAN CLOTHING EXCHANGES FOR COURT, MAY BE MADE ONLY ON THE INMATE’S LETTER-DESIGNATED VISITING DAY, SEE THE VISITING TIMES LINK!
Approved Items – Item Limit
Prescription eyeglasses, dentures, prosthesis after approval by the health-care provider
Shoes and sneakers will NOT be accepted.
Books, magazines, or periodicals will be accepted ONLY WHEN SENT DIRECTLY BY THE PUBLISHER OR COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTOR.

IV. How May I Make a Deposit to an Inmate’s Account?

Deposits can be made via the internet; Keefe -Access: www.accesscorrections.com
Also a visitor may make a deposit only to the account of the inmate being visited. Cash can be placed in the KIOSK during the hours of 7:00am to 9:00pm. Money orders may be left at anytime in the drop box located in the lobby area see the officer.

Cashier hours:
Alternative & Special Detention – 9:00am to 2:00pm
Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility – 7:30am to 7:30pm
Detention Center – 9:00am to 2:00pm
House of Correction – 9:00am to 2:00pm
Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center – 8:00am to 2:00pm
Riverside Correctional Facility – 9:00am to 2:00pm
In addition, deposits may be made to inmate accounts via money order or certified check sent through the U. S. Mail. Personal, welfare, and supplemental income checks are not accepted. DO NOT MAIL CASH. Be sure to include the inmate’s name and prisoner identification number (police photo number) and the sender’s return address.

V. Visiting Times

Inmates may receive one hour of visits per week. One-half hour must be on the inmate’s letter-designated visiting day; the other visit may take place on any other visiting day.

VI. Visiting Days

If the inmate’s last name begins with: His or her designated visiting day is:
A, B, or C Monday
D, E, F, G, or H Tuesday
I, J, K, L, or M Wednesday
N, O, P, Q, R, or S Thursday
T, U, V, W, X, Y, or Z Friday

VII. Visiting Hours

CURRAN-FROMHOLD CORRECTIONAL FACILITY (CFCF)
Visits are permitted from 9 am to 9 pm – Monday through Friday. All visitors must sign in by 7:30 pm. Inmates must obtain unit manager’s approval for clothing exchanges at least 3 days in advance before the regular visiting day. Cashier hours are from 9 am to 8:30 pm – Monday through Friday. For more information call (215) 685-7843.

DETENTION CENTER
Visits are permitted from 10 am to 6 pm – Monday through Friday. All visitors must sign in by 4:30 pm. Clothing exchanges may be made before 1:30 pm and inmates must obtain captain’s approval 3 days in advance before the regular visiting day. The cashier is open from 10 am to 2 pm – Monday through Friday. Call (215) 685-8436 for further information.

HOUSE OF CORRECTION
Visits with inmates are permitted from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm – Monday through Friday. All visitors must sign in by 3:30 pm. Cashier hours are from 9:00 am to 12 Noon and from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm – Monday through Friday. Clothing exchanges must be made before 6:00 pm. The only holiday visits that are allowed at RCF are: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. For more information call (215) 685-8215.

PHILADELPHIA INDUSTRIAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY (PICC)
Juvenile visits are permitted from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Monday through Friday. All visitors must sign in by 4:45 pm. Cashier hours are from 9:00am to 12 Noon and from 12:30pm to 2:00pm – Monday through Friday. Clothing exchanges must be made before 5:00pm. The only holiday visits that are allowed at RCF are: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. For more information, call (215) 685-7100.

ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIAL DETENTION FACILITIES
Inmates must obtain prior approval for clothing exchanges. Approved exchanges will be accepted only during visiting hours. For more information, call (215) 685-8309.

CENTRAL UNIT,  MODULAR III AND CANNERY
Visits are held at the House of Correction, 8001 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19136 from 9 am to 3 pm – Saturday and Sunday. All visitors must sign in by 1:30 pm. For more information, call (215) 685-8309.

CAMBRIA COMMUNITY CENTER
Visits are held at the Cambria Community Center, 2815 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA on Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm. All visitors must sign in by 1:30 pm. For more information, call (215) 685-9531 or 9536.

UNIVERSITY AVENUE FACILITY
Visits are held at 600 University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA from 11 am to 3 pm -Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call (215) 685-8309.

RIVERSIDE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

The Visit Schedule at Riverside Correctional Facility is Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 6 pm. All potential visitors must sign-in/register in visiting Trailer across from CFCF from 9:30 am until 5:00pm. Cashier operating hours are 10:00am to 2:00pm – Monday through Friday. Clothing exchanges are permissible, but requests for the exchange must be submitted 3 days before the regular visiting day for approval. The only holiday visits that are allowed at RCF are: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. No more than 2 adults and two children may visit at one time. A parent or guardian must accompany anyone under the age of eighteen (18). For more information, call 215-685-8956 (visiting trailer) and 215-685-6911 (RCF visiting lobby.)

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.

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.

Greater Philadelphia Drug Arrest Attorney

The increased use of drugs throughout the country has had an effect on a generation of Americans. There is evidence that indicates that the war on drugs is a failure, yet prosecutors representing the various counties in Greater Philadelphia and the United States of America continue to prosecute cases and impose up to life-long jail sentences at a very high rate. Attorney Joe Mitchell and his offices help defend clients in drug matters involving:

• Trafficking
• Possession of Drugs for Sale
• Possession of Drugs
• Distribution
• Cultivation
• Transportation
• Manufacturing of Drugs

Following is a list of some illegal drugs:

• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Crack Cocaine
• Ecstasy (MDMA)
• Meth
• Marijuana
• Cannabis
• Opium
• Hashish (and Hashish Oil)
• PCP
• Morphine
• Barbiturates
• LSD
• Steroids
• Mescaline
• Methadone
• Wet

Your primary defense against Pennsylvania state drug crimes is not that different to the defense of federal drug crimes (except for differences in sentencing and pre-trial motions). An important factor in determining the severity of the charge is the type and quantity of the illegal drugs involved. Another factor in determining the seriousness of the charge is whether the drugs are for personal use or for sale. A drug offense may be a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the quantity and type of drug found by law enforcement. A few pounds of a drug is certainly more serious than just a few ounces, and a few ounces is more serious just than a few grams. Another very important factor is whether or not you have a prior criminal record. For obvious reasons, a prior criminal record could result in a more severe punishment than if the defendant had a clean or relatively minor record consisting of misdemeanors.

Penalties for Drug Charges

Penalties for Drug Crimes are serious. They may include jail/prison time, a fine, seizure of assets (including vehicles), loss of a drivers license and inability to get a license to carry a firearm. Because the potential penalties are so serious, it is critical to obtain a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Federal sentencing guidelines describe forty-three (43) base offense levels for drug charges. The higher the level of offense, the harsher the sentence is likely to be. The base offense level under the federal guidelines varies; it directly depends on the type of drugs and the amount of drugs. For example, Crack is a form of cocaine and is listed on the same schedule of controlled substances. Nevertheless, the quantity of crack needed to impose certain sentences is much less than the quantity of powdered cocaine. Thus, a person convicted of delivering 5 grams of crack will receive a sentence in the federal system of five to forty years. In order to receive this sentence on a cocaine charge, a person would have to be convicted of delivering 500 grams of powdered cocaine. It is important for an accused person to be represented by a lawyer who has experience navigating these sorts of sentencing issues.

The crime of “simple possession” requires that a person knowingly and intentionally possess an illegal/scheduled drug without a legitimate prescription. The government is required to prove that the offender knew that the drug was a controlled substance and that he/she had either actual possession of it or some other control over it. The federal sentencing guidelines allow for a maximum of one year in prison for a first-time offender, a maximum of two years in prison for a second-time offender, and a maximum of three years in prison for a third-time offender (or higher). Please note the exception for crack cocaine – the sentence for possession of more than five grams of crack cocaine is increased to a minimum of five years in prison, even for those who are first-time offenders.

Manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to deliver a controlled substance is a crime with escalating penalties. The severity of the penalties depends on the drug involved, the quantity of the drug, and the offenders prior criminal record. For example, a first-time offender convicted of possessing with intent to deliver 100 grams to 5 kilograms of heroin will receive a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison (the sentence can be as high as forty years). It is important to note that there are 3 crimes that serve as “enhancement crimes.” The sentence for these “enhancement crimes” is double or triple what it might otherwise be for distributing that particular amount and type of drug under other circumstances. The 3 enhancement crimes are:

• Distributing controlled substances to people who are under 21 years of age.
• Distributing controlled substances near a school.
• Causing people under the age of 18 to violate drug laws.

For more detailed information about federal drug trafficking penalties and Pennslyvania drug sentencing guidelines, please call our offices at 215-557-7111.

Pennsylvania Drug Sentencing Alternatives:

When it comes to drug cases, treatment is often a more appropriate sentence than jail or prison. This is because it is important to help people with their drug problem and not simply punish them. If you have been arrested for a drug-related offense, there are various treatment options. Alternatives include County Intermediate Punishment Programs, State Intermediate Punishment Programs, ARD, Section 17 and in Philadelphia, Drug Treatment Court.

Section 17

Diversion requires the defendant to enter a plea of guilty to the drug charge, but the accused is NOT sentenced (keep in mind that nothing is ever final in criminal cases until the defendant is actually sentenced). The offender must then undergo the Section 17 program, which consists of a number of classes and drug treatment. Drug testing is conducted randomly, and a “dirty” test can create new legal problems for the offender.

There are eligibility requirements that have to be met before the drug offender can be placed in Section 17. This is one of the reasons that it is important to hire a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer for a drug charge. If the offender qualifies, this option should be made available. If diversion is completed successfully, the case is dismissed, and the defendant will have avoided conviction of the crime. This is one way to keep a criminal record clean.

Drug Treatment Court

A Drug Court is a special court that is given the responsibility of handling cases that involve drug-addicted offenders through a supervision and treatment program. Although a period of in-patient treatment is sometimes required, the case is dismissed when the program is successfully completed.

Call my Office and Speak Directly to Attorney Mitchell or one of his experienced staff. If you have any questions or would like to speak directly to an experienced criminal attorney regarding your Drug Case, 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.

At the Law Offices of Joseph S. Mitchell III, we handle a wide variety of violent crime cases. These are very serious offenses and require an experienced criminal defense attorney. Common violent crimes cases often involve Domestic Violence , Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO), Assault & Battery, and Attempted Murder.

Aggravated and Simple Assault Lawyer

Simple assault is causing or attempting to cause bodily injury and may also involve pointing a weapon at someone. Aggravated Assault involves causing or attempting to cause serious bodily injury or any injury to a police officer, bus driver, school official, etc. Various types of behavior are considered assault – even threats and attempts to physically injure someone come would qualify as an assault (provided the alleged assault victim was aware of the threat).

The severity of an Assault charges can vary. Attorney Joe Mitchell has experience handling Aggravated Assault & Simple Assault cases, and works to aggressively protect your rights.

Attempted Murder Attorney

In order for a person to be found guilty of attempted murder, it must be proven that the defendant acted “deliberately and intentionally or recklessly with extreme disregard for human life.” In other words, the person attempted to kill someone or did something that was a substantial step toward committing the crime. Preparation to commit the crime is not considered a substantial step toward committing a crime. In some cases, a charge of assault with a deadly weapon or an aggravated assault will be charged as an attempted murder if the injuries are serious or the potential for serious injury is great.

Attempted Murder is a very serious criminal offense. Please call our office as soon as possible to discuss your case. Attorney Joe Mitchell is an aggressive, experienced criminal lawyer that will fight for your rights.

Murder and Manslaugher Attorney

First-degree murder is defined as an unlawful killing that is both willful and premeditated, meaning that it was committed after planning or “lying in wait” for the victim. Pennsylvania also adheres to a legal concept known as the “felony murder rule,” under which a person commits first-degree murder if any death (even an accidental one) results from the commission of certain violent felonies-usually arson, burglary, kidnapping, rape, and robbery.

Second-degree murder is ordinarily defined as either an intentional killing that is not premeditated or planned, or a killing caused by dangerous conduct and the offender’s obvious lack of concern for human life. Second-degree murder may best be viewed as the middle ground between first-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter.

If you have been charged with a serious crime, like homicide or manslaughter, you still have constitutionally guaranteed rights. Attorney Joe Mitchell has extensive experience handling violent crimes and will ensure that police, jail, and law officials respect your rights. For further information, contact my offices at 215-557-7111.

Contact an Experienced Attorney to Help You with Your Warrant

IF YOU HAVE A WARRANT CONTACT THE LAW OFFICES OF ATTORNEY JOE MITCHELL TO DISCUSS THE SPECIFIC FACTS OF YOUR CASE AND DECIDE WHAT IS YOUR BEST COURSE OF ACTION. Please do not hesitate to call my firms Philadelphia office at 215-557-7111for a FREE CONSULTATION. If you prefer, you may e-mail the firm and Attorney Mitchell or his experienced staff will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

A Bench Warrant is the most common type of warrant that is issued by the court. There
are several reasons for a court to issue a Bench Warrant:

• Failure to appear in court on the date you were scheduled to appear
• Failure to show proof of Community Services or failure to pay a fine
• Failure to appear on an Open Case (that is you fail to return to court prior to the resolution of you case)
• Failure to appear for Sentence or Conviction (that the warrant could have been issued after there was a plea or trial but before sentence was imposed)

  If you believe there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest in Greater Philadelphia you have an obligation to return to court immediately. Until you return to court you are at risk of being arrested and brought to Court at any time the police choose to do so.

An Arrest Warrant is different than a Bench Warrant. In an arrest warrant the police obtain a formal document signed by a judge requesting the arrest of a person. An arrest warrant is generated after an investigation by law enforcement whereby they have a reasonable suspicion that some criminal activity has occurred. In most situations, people may not be aware that an arrest warrant exists until the police are in the process of arresting them. In some occasions, law enforcement officers may arrive at your workplace to make an arrest.

Contacting the right lawyer can make a difference in your case. For example, the lawyer would contact the police and make arrangements for you to surrender rather than surrender yourself and give statements to law enforcement. REMEMBER, ANYTHING YOU SAY CAN AND WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU!!!

If you choose not to hire an attorney in these types of matters, you are at a huge disadvantage. First of all, you may be arrested and taken into custody as soon as you walk into court. An experienced attorney will be able to recall the warrant and in many cases avoid you being taken into custody. An experienced lawyer who has handled these types of cases before knows what information/documents the court requires in order to get a swift resolution to your case. A good attorney also knows how to explain to the judge and the prosecutor why there was a warrant in the first place.

Contact an Experienced Attorney to Help You with Your Warrant

IF YOU HAVE A WARRANT CONTACT THE LAW OFFICES OF ATTORNEY JOE MITCHELL TO DISCUSS THE SPECIFIC FACTS OF YOUR CASE AND DECIDE WHAT IS YOUR BEST COURSE OF ACTION. Please do not hesitate to call my Philadelphia office at 215-557-7111 for a FREE CONSULTATION. If you prefer, you may e-mail the firm and Attorney Mitchell or his experienced staff will be in touch with you as soon as possible

If you have been convicted or accused of a crime in the Greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area you must consider the consequences and take every step possible to properly defend yourself. In Pennsylvania, an arrest and conviction can lead to

• Job Loss
• A Criminal Record
• Jail Time

Attorney Joe Mitchell knows Pennsylvania criminal defense law. I vigorously defend those who have been accused of a misdemeanor or felony in the greater Philadelphia area. My reputation of consistently securing favorable outcomes for our clients is built on the aggressive and steadfast nature of my skilled Pennsylvania criminal defense practice.

Why Your Attorney Makes the Difference

• Attorney Joe Mitchell and his associates are a team of competent Pennsylvania criminal defense attorneys who care about each and every one of their clients.
• Attorney Joe Mitchell understands that not only does the accused suffer from the consequences of a Pennsylvania criminal charge, but close family members suffer as well.
• Attorney Joe Mitchell is an experienced and affordable criminal defense lawyer who will aggressively fight to protect your rights.
• With a concentration in defending felony and misdemeanor criminal cases in greater Philadelphia state and juvenile courts, Attorney Joe Mitchell is constantly prepared to defend you.
• Attorney Joe Mitchell believes in establishing a working relationship with both prosecutors and judges, and uses that rapport to obtain a favorable disposition for his clients.
• Philadelphia criminal lawyer, Attorney Joe Mitchell can also assist with bail and bail reduction. He has successfully obtained O/R release (without bail and on the defendants promise to appear in court) for many of his clients.Attorney Joe Mitchell is a Philadelphia criminal attorney who assists clients with sentence modification and jail alternatives, such as:

• • House Arrest
  • Work Release
  • City Jail
  • Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation
  • Other Alternative Sentencing Programs
• Attorney Joe Mitchell provides Pennsylvania representation to defendants in Philadelphia and surrounding counties.
• Attorney Joe Mitchell is also available to assist out-of-state residents with criminal matters in Pennsylvania such as outstanding warrants, DUI charges, and probation violations.

Just about everyone is impacted in some way by the Criminal Justice system. You, a relative, a friend, or someone you know may have been charged and arrested with a Pennsylvania crime.

If you have been accused of a crime, it is important that you thoroughly understand your rights and immediately obtain qualified legal representation to defend you in all criminal proceedings. If you have any questions or would like to speak directly to an experienced criminal attorney regarding case, please do not hesitate to call my firms Philadelphia office at 215-557-7111 for a FREE CONSULTATION. If you prefer, you may e-mail the firm, and Attorney Mitchell or his experienced staff will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Protect Your Rights

From the simplest to the most complex Pennsylvania criminal cases, there are several procedures that must be handled by an experienced criminal defense lawyer. If you are not careful when selecting your attorney, your rights may be violated or taken away as a result of poor representation.

Please contact our office to discuss the facts of your case. For a free confidential consultation, please call my Philadelphia office at

215-557-7111

If you would like us to email you our FREE Report:”5 Steps You Must Take Before You Hire an Attorney”please complete the form below.
We will not share your contact information with anyone.

1. You have the right to remain silent.
   Use it! Do not speak to the police or anyone about your case. It’s
   absolutely true that anything you say can and will be used against
   you. 
2. Contact an experienced criminal defense
   attorney immediately. The earlier you have an attorney working for you,
   the more legal defense options you will have. And you need to have that
   buffer between you and the government so that you case can move forward
   without you risking implicating yourself over and over. Anytime you
   speak about your case without your attorney present, you risk giving
   the government evidence it can use against you.

What are the stages of the Pennsylvania Criminal Judicial process?

1. Preliminary Arraignment – The defendant is provided with a copy of the arrest/complaint,
   advised of his rights, and ordered to appear at the scheduled
   preliminary hearing.
2. Preliminary Hearing – The Commonwealth must establish that a crime was committed, and the defendant is likely to have committed it.
3. Formal Arraignment – Defendant is advised of his rights for pretrial pleadings. Motions and discovery must be issued within 30 days.
4. Pretrial Conference – Defendant, his attorney, and the DA appear before the judge. Pretrial
   matters are resolved. Defendant may plead guilty or move forward with a
   trial.
5. Trial or Plea Disposition - Defendant may elect for a jury or non-jury trial, and a disposition will be arrived at.

What happens at a preliminary hearing?

A preliminary hearing is typically the next step after a preliminary arraignment in the Pennsylvania criminal process.

At the preliminary hearing, the state must
establish that they have enough evidence to proceed with a criminal
prosecution. If the government cannot meet it’s prima facie evidentiary
burden to support the elements of the crime, and can’t supply the
necessary witnesses, then the case should be dismissed.

Should I waive the Preliminary Hearing?

It depends on the facts of your case, and
the advice of your attorney. There may be advantages to simply waiving
it, but you may not want to give in without getting something in return.

If I think the hearing can help us, then the
goal is to aggressively defend against the charges at the hearing. We
don’t put on any evidence, but go on the offensive and attack the
government’s case and witnesses in both fact and law.

If we are successful at the hearing, then
the case should be dismissed. But even when that doesn’t happen, there
are positive benefits that can come from the hearing. It it a chance to
lay the foundation for the defense, by attacking the government’s case,
and the witnesses credibility and reliability. What we learn from the
witness testimony and evidence can be used to help us at trial.

And, worst case, if I determine that the
Commonwealth does have a strong case, at least we know that, and can
look to work out the best deal possible to plead out.

I am ready and willing to plead guilty to the charges and move on with my life. Do I really still need a private lawyer?

It would probably be in your best interest, yes. A good attorney can be an advocate for you in plea cases, too.

I consider myself an extremely effective
negotiator, and the fact that you want to accept responsibility can
help get a reduced and arguably more fair sentence. Getting a charge
reduced down from a aggravated assault to a simple assault, for
example, or working out a deal for the bottom range or minimum penalty
can save you potential jail time or significant fines.

When is the best time to negotiate a deal?

In many cases the best offer comes near the
end of the case when the prosecution realizes how weak their case is,
and that they are likely to lose at trial.

Can I get a work license after a DUI charge?

Yes, PennDOT allows for an Occupational
Limited License, or OLL. You must serve 2 months of your license
suspension period before you are eligible for an OLL. (or 12 months out
of an 18 month for a second offense or breath test refusal suspension).
See the PennDOT OLL fact sheet for more info.

What is an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD)?

It is an Accelerated Rehabilitative
Disposition, or ARD for short. It is a common plea agreement in first
offense DUI cases, and is a possible alternative to discuss with your
attorney. License suspensions for accepting an ARD are 30 days for a
.10-.16 BAC, and 60 days for .16 and above, or a refusal.