1. Hope C. Lefeber, LLC
Practice Focus: Federal criminal defense, white-collar crimes, securities fraud, health care fraud, tax violations, and financial fraud
Case Types Handled: Securities fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, health care fraud, tax fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, business fraud, corporate fraud, bank fraud, and federal regulatory offenses
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, pre-indictment advocacy, grand jury defense, SEC defense, IRS criminal investigations, plea negotiations, sentencing advocacy, and appeals
Background: Hope Lefeber has more than 30 years of experience providing criminal defense in the Philadelphia area and in federal courts throughout the United States. She is a former Enforcement Attorney for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which provides invaluable insight in defending against financial crimes. She has been consistently honored as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association, and named one of the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Pennsylvania by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. Her clients have included business executives, Fortune 500 company executives, lawyers, doctors, professors, medical professionals, and corporations. Recent results include indictment dismissal of all counts for a businessman charged with wire fraud and money laundering in a multi-million dollar IRS debt collection conspiracy.
Location: 401 City Avenue, Suite 918, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Contact: (610) 668-7927 | https://www.hopelefeber.com
Consultation: Free and confidential consultation available
2. Goldstein Mehta LLC
Practice Focus: State and federal criminal defense, drug crimes, DUI, assault, theft crimes, and appeals
Case Types Handled: Drug possession, drug distribution, DUI, assault, domestic violence, robbery, burglary, gun charges, sex offenses, homicide, theft crimes, and federal crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, preliminary hearings, motion practice, suppression motions, plea negotiations, sentencing advocacy, appeals, and post-conviction relief
Background: The firm is led by attorneys who include former prosecutors and public defenders. They have successfully defended thousands of cases in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. The practice emphasizes taking difficult cases to trial rather than recommending plea deals and has successfully overturned wrongful convictions and excessive sentences. The attorneys provide consultations typically within 24 hours and return most phone calls the same day. They practice in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, Municipal Courts, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Location: 1528 Walnut Street, Suite 1904, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Contact: (267) 225-2545 | https://goldsteinmehta.com
Consultation: Complimentary 15-minute strategy session available
3. Fienman Defense
Practice Focus: State criminal defense, DUI, professional license defense, theft crimes, assault, and drug offenses
Case Types Handled: DUI, theft, fraud, assault, weapons offenses, robbery, burglary, arson, juvenile crimes, professional license defense, and SNAP violation cases
Legal Services: Trial defense, preliminary hearings, motion practice, plea negotiations, professional license defense before boards, SNAP fraud defense, and record expungement
Background: Michael H. Fienman was born in Philadelphia and is a lifelong resident who chose to open his practice due to his commitment to the city and its people. He holds an AV Preeminent rating and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star. Mr. Fienman has completed the same DWI detection training as most law enforcement officers and holds a certificate in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The firm represents professionals including doctors, nurses, teachers, attorneys, real estate professionals, and medical students facing disciplinary actions or criminal allegations that place their credentials at risk. The practice handles cases in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, and Delaware counties.
Location: 1500 Walnut Street, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Contact: (215) 839-9529 | https://www.philadelphiacriminalattorney.com
Consultation: Free consultation, available around the clock
4. Alva & Moscow, LLC
Practice Focus: State and federal criminal defense, domestic violence, drug offenses, assault, and theft crimes
Case Types Handled: Drug offenses, assault, domestic violence, DUI, theft, fraud, gun charges, federal drug crimes, federal fraud, conspiracy, and property crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, preliminary hearings, motion practice, plea negotiations, sentencing advocacy, and appeals
Background: The firm has practiced since 1987 and provides representation in criminal cases throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Daniel-Paul Alva brings more than 40 years of experience and has tried more than 5,000 cases in 11 states. Jeremy-Evan Alva has successfully represented hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases and is described as a tireless advocate. The attorneys are licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey state and federal courts, including the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. They represent clients in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties including Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, and Bucks counties.
Location: 2000 Market Street, Suite 2940, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Contact: (215) 665-1695 | https://www.alvafirm.com
Consultation: Consultation available by appointment
5. Wimmer Criminal Defense Law
Practice Focus: State and federal criminal defense, murder, assault, drug crimes, and sex offenses
Case Types Handled: Murder, aggravated assault, drug possession, drug distribution, sex offenses, robbery, theft, DUI, domestic violence, weapons charges, and federal crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, federal court representation, preliminary hearings, motion practice, plea negotiations, sentencing advocacy, and appeals
Background: Lauren A. Wimmer is a former Judicial Clerk in the Criminal Trial Division of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas where she worked on murder cases. She represents individuals in both state and federal court with charges ranging from felony crimes to misdemeanor drug charges and summary offenses. Ms. Wimmer personally meets with each client and handles cases directly rather than delegating to associates. The practice emphasizes early involvement to gather information from police, prosecutors, and witnesses before valuable evidence is lost.
Location: 1500 JFK Boulevard, Suite 1525, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Contact: (215) 712-1212 | https://www.wimmercriminaldefense.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available
Criminal Defense Regulations in Pennsylvania
Bar Admission Requirements: Attorneys must pass the Pennsylvania Bar Examination and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). Applicants must demonstrate good moral character through a character and fitness review conducted by the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners. Pennsylvania requires a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school or graduation from certain non-ABA schools with additional requirements.
Public Defender System: Each Pennsylvania county maintains a public defender office. The Defender Association of Philadelphia serves Philadelphia County and is one of the oldest and largest public defender organizations in the country. Eligibility is based on income and assets relative to federal poverty guidelines, typically covering those earning below 200% of the poverty level.
Specialty Certifications: The Pennsylvania Bar Association does not operate a specialty certification program. Attorneys may obtain voluntary certifications from the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification in Criminal Trial Advocacy.
Attorney Advertising Rules: Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct 7.1 through 7.6 govern advertising. Communications must not be false or misleading. Direct solicitation is prohibited except for close relationships or when the person is a lawyer. Advertisements must include the name and office address of at least one lawyer.
Attorney-Client Privilege: Pennsylvania recognizes attorney-client privilege under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 5928. Communications must be made in confidence for purposes of obtaining legal advice. The privilege survives the death of the client. Exceptions include the crime-fraud exception and disputes between attorney and client.
Mandatory CLE Requirements: Pennsylvania attorneys must complete 12 credits of Continuing Legal Education annually, including 1 credit in ethics. New lawyers must complete an additional bridge-the-gap program during their first compliance period.
Speedy Trial Requirements: Under Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 600, the Commonwealth must bring a defendant to trial within 365 days from the filing of the complaint for most offenses. Excludable time includes delays caused by the defendant, continuances requested by the defendant, and certain other circumstances. Defendants in custody have additional protections under Rule 600 regarding prompt arraignment and preliminary hearing.
Bail and Pretrial Release: Pennsylvania maintains a cash bail system with bail guidelines promulgated by the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing. Judges consider the nature of the offense, criminal history, ties to the community, and risk of flight. Release on recognizance is available for eligible defendants. The Pennsylvania Constitution guarantees bail for most offenses, with exceptions for capital cases and cases where no conditions would assure safety.
Felony Classification System: Pennsylvania classifies offenses by grade: Murder (First Degree carries mandatory life, Second Degree carries life, Third Degree carries 20 to 40 years), Felony First Degree (up to 20 years, up to $25,000 fine), Felony Second Degree (up to 10 years, up to $25,000 fine), Felony Third Degree (up to 7 years, up to $15,000 fine), Misdemeanor First Degree (up to 5 years, up to $10,000 fine), Misdemeanor Second Degree (up to 2 years, up to $5,000 fine), Misdemeanor Third Degree (up to 1 year, up to $2,500 fine), and Summary (up to 90 days, up to $300 fine).
Death Penalty Status: Pennsylvania retains the death penalty for first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances. However, Governor Wolf issued a moratorium on executions in 2015, which Governor Shapiro has continued. No executions have been carried out since 1999.
Expungement and Clean Slate Eligibility: Pennsylvania allows expungement for non-conviction dispositions (dismissed, withdrawn, nolle prossed, not guilty), ARD/Section 17 upon completion, summary convictions after 5 arrest-free years, and misdemeanor/felony convictions for those 70 or older with 10 arrest-free years. Clean Slate 3.0, effective February 12, 2024, expands record sealing. Summary convictions are automatically sealed after 5 years with no pending charges (started June 11, 2024). Many misdemeanor convictions may be sealed after 7 years with no misdemeanor or felony convictions. Certain felony convictions may now be sealed. Crimes involving danger to persons, firearms offenses, tiered sex offenses, and four or more M2 or higher misdemeanors are excluded from Clean Slate.
Habitual Offender Laws: Pennsylvania has mandatory minimum sentences for certain repeat offenders under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 9714. A second conviction for a crime of violence triggers a minimum 10-year sentence. A third conviction triggers a minimum 25-year sentence. Three Strikes provisions apply enhanced sentences for repeat violent offenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at a preliminary arraignment in Philadelphia?
After arrest in Philadelphia, defendants appear before a Municipal Court judge or bail commissioner for preliminary arraignment, typically within 24 hours. At this hearing, the defendant is informed of the charges, advised of constitutional rights including the right to counsel, and bail is set. If the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the Defender Association of Philadelphia is appointed. Bail is set according to Philadelphia bail guidelines, considering the severity of the charge, criminal history, ties to the community, and flight risk. Defendants may be released on their own recognizance, unsecured bail, cash bail, or held without bail for certain offenses. A preliminary hearing date is scheduled for felony charges, typically within 3 to 10 days.
What is the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program in Pennsylvania?
ARD is a pre-trial diversion program under 234 Pa. Code Rule 310 for first-time offenders charged with certain offenses, most commonly DUI. The District Attorney must approve ARD eligibility. If accepted, the defendant pleads to no charges but agrees to supervision conditions that may include community service, drug and alcohol counseling, payment of costs, and a probation period typically lasting 6 to 12 months. For DUI, there is a license suspension component. Upon successful completion, charges are dismissed and the defendant may immediately petition for expungement. ARD is not available for offenses involving personal injury, sex offenses against minors, or defendants with prior ARD participation. The program preserves the defendant’s record while requiring accountability through supervision.
How does Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate 3.0 law affect my record?
Clean Slate 3.0, effective February 12, 2024, significantly expands automatic and petition-based record sealing. Summary convictions are automatically sealed after 5 years with no pending charges (this process began June 11, 2024). Many misdemeanor convictions are eligible for sealing after 7 years with no misdemeanor or felony convictions during that period. Certain non-violent felony convictions may now be sealed after 10 years. Excluded offenses include crimes involving danger to persons, family crimes, firearms offenses, tiered sex offenses requiring registration, and cases with four or more M2-or-higher misdemeanor convictions. Sealed records cannot be seen on most background checks but remain accessible to law enforcement, courts, and certain employers required to conduct fingerprint-based checks for positions involving children, elderly, or vulnerable adults. Clean Slate does not change expungement eligibility, which still requires non-conviction, ARD completion, summary convictions with 5 arrest-free years, or age 70 with 10 arrest-free years for misdemeanors and felonies.
What are the penalties for drug possession in Philadelphia?
Penalties depend on the type and amount of controlled substance. Simple possession of a controlled substance under 35 Pa.C.S. Section 780-113(a)(16) is generally an ungraded misdemeanor for a first offense (up to 1 year imprisonment, up to $5,000 fine) and a misdemeanor for subsequent offenses (up to 3 years, up to $25,000 fine). Marijuana possession under 30 grams was decriminalized in Philadelphia in 2014, carrying a $25 fine for first offense. Possession with intent to deliver (PWID) varies by substance: for Schedule I/II drugs (cocaine, heroin, fentanyl), PWID is a felony carrying up to 15 years and $250,000 in fines. First-time non-violent offenders may be eligible for diversion programs such as treatment court. Philadelphia District Attorney policy emphasizes diversion and treatment over incarceration for low-level possession offenses.
What is the difference between preliminary hearing and trial in Pennsylvania?
The preliminary hearing occurs before a Municipal Court judge within 3 to 14 days of arrest for felony and certain misdemeanor charges. At this hearing, the Commonwealth must establish a prima facie case showing that a crime was committed and the defendant probably committed it. The standard is much lower than trial. Defense counsel can cross-examine witnesses and challenge evidence. If the judge finds probable cause, the case is held for court and proceeds to the Court of Common Pleas for trial-level proceedings. If probable cause is not established, charges are dismissed. After the preliminary hearing, the case proceeds through formal arraignment in Common Pleas, pre-trial conferences, discovery exchange, and motion practice. Trial in Common Pleas Court uses a higher standard: the Commonwealth must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Defendants have the right to a jury trial for offenses carrying more than 6 months imprisonment. The entire process from arrest to trial typically takes 6 to 18 months depending on case complexity and court scheduling.