Defending Clients Accused of Gun Crimes
If you've been charged with any offense involving the illegal use, possession or carrying of a weapon, you could be facing serious consequences if convicted, including jail time.
I'm Ralph Karsh, a Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer experienced at defending people accused of weapons offenses. If you've been charged with any weapons offense, from carrying a concealed weapon to armed robbery, contact my office to set up a free consultation.
Aggressively Fighting Serious Weapons Charges
While Pennsylvania has always been very respectful of gun owners' rights, there are also tough laws that police and prosecutors can use to target those who they believe are dangerous to others. Among the most common weapons offenses under state law are the following:
- Carrying a concealed weapon: It is illegal for anyone in Pennsylvania to conceal a gun on his or her person, or transport it in a vehicle, without a license. Local prosecutors in Pittsburgh and throughout western Pennsylvania are very aggressive about concealed weapon charges, especially when a loaded gun is involved.
- Felon in possession: If you have been convicted of a felony offense in the past, it is illegal for you to own a firearm or keep one in your possession. Even when you have complete any jail time and probation to which you may have been sentenced, you can still be charged with a criminal offense for possession of a weapon.
- Use of a weapon in another offense: If you are accused of using a weapon to commit another crime such as assault, sexual assault or robbery, you could be facing enhanced penalties if you are convicted. For certain crimes, if you are found to have used a weapon, there could be a mandatory minimum jail sentence of five to ten years.
In Pennsylvania, conviction of any drug felony involving possession of a firearm carries a mandatory five year prison sentence.
If you've been charged with any weapons offense, you need an attorney who understands the elements of the crime that the prosecutors must prove in order to convict you, as well as all available defenses and alternatives to conviction.
Having practiced criminal defense law in Pennsylvania since 1990, I am highly experienced at representing clients accused of weapons offenses. Contact me to discuss your options.
