Menges, McLaughlin & Kalasnik, P.C.

Criminal Defense Attorneys serving Lancaster, York, Dauphin & Adams Counties, Pennsylvania

What to do if you're charged with a crime
The most important thing you can do when you are being accused of a crime is to immediately contact your attorney. Do nothing else; talk to nobody else. Do not try to talk your way out of the charge, even if you are completely innocent. Call your attorney wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

We have handled criminal charges in all Pennsylvania courts. Our cases have included murder, serious weapon charges, drug felonies, white-collar crimes, assaults, robbery, rape, sexual abuse, burglary, and felony DUI. We regularly represent people on misdemeanors such as shoplifting, driving while intoxicated, and criminal mischief, and in defense of minor violations such as trespassing and harassment. Traffic offenses are usually summary offenses although some charges such as driving under the influence of alcohol are misdemeanors and felonies in Pennsylvania. We have represented people on almost every charge that a person can be charged under the law. We have tried felonies, misdemeanors, and summary offenses in all South Central Pennsylvania courts. We represent those charged with parole and probation violations.

We have represented hundreds of people charged with crimes at every level and degree of severity in the criminal justice system. The Attorneys at Menges, McLaughlin & Kalasnik have appeared before almost every criminal court judge in York, Dauphin, Adams and Lancaster counties as well as many other counties in Pennsylvania.

It is important that your attorney can try your case if the need arises, but only about 5% of our criminal cases go to trial. Approximately 95% of our cases are resolved with a plea to a lesser charge, or an ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) or a dismissal. Whether your case is tried or resolved without trial depends on hundreds of factors which we discuss with you when we go over your case with you. If you are charged with a crime, you should call us immediately, because the stakes in a criminal case are so high. Felonies are all charges which carry maximum sentences of many years in jail. Even misdemeanors such as shoplifting carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail and summary offenses carry 90 day jail maximums. Few people do the maximum jail time for a crime, but even if you get no jail, a criminal conviction messes up your background with a criminal record that will haunt you for life.

Many people are falsely or unfairly accused. Also, people make mistakes. Even good people do things which are wrong, especially when they are young and foolish. The measure of a man is not whether he lives a perfect life. The measure of a man is how he deals with his mistakes and wrongs. This is where we can help you.

If you need a criminal defense lawyer in York, Dauphin, Adams or Lancaster counties, Menges, McLaughlin & Kalasnik is experienced and ready to help. Contact us if you are charged with a crime or violation. We can help you turn things around when it looks like disaster has struck. We can lead you through the minefield of the criminal justice system, and show you that there is a life after being accused of a crime.