Pennsylvania offers several diversionary programs that may allow eligible individuals to resolve a criminal case without a conviction and, in many circumstances, pursue an expungement after successful completion. If you are facing charges in Philadelphia, there are specific pathways available to protect your record. Alternative Misdemeanor Program (AMP) The AMP Program (Alternative Misdemeanor Program) is

Continue Reading

In New Jersey, criminal charges can be dropped for multiple reasons, which usually depend on the specific circumstances, the evidence at hand, and whether the state can successfully prove its case. Insufficient Evidence Against the Accused A trial cannot move forward if there is not enough proof. Frequently, cases are thrown out because the prosecution

Continue Reading

Yes—the Commonwealth can refile these charges under certain conditions. A preliminary hearing in Philadelphia is not a full trial, but rather an initial evaluation where prosecutors must merely establish a “prima facie” case. This means they only need enough evidence to indicate a crime happened and that you are probably the responsible party. Because this

Continue Reading

Firearm charges in Philadelphia can lead to major trouble, especially if the law says you aren’t allowed to have a firearm at all. When judges and prosecutors look at your case, they care a lot about whether the gun actually had bullets in it. Even though every situation is different, the police and the District

Continue Reading

When facing theft charges in Philadelphia, paying back the alleged victim—called restitution—is a major part of the legal process. Figuring out a plan to pay this money back can sometimes help your lawyer negotiate a better deal for you, which might even keep a conviction off your record if the law allows it. The goal

Continue Reading

Let’s be clear—when prosecutors file multiple charges for a single incident, it is rarely an accident; it is about tactical leverage. In Philadelphia, the District Attorney’s Office Charging Unit has the discretion to promptly review arrests and determine exactly which charges to prosecute. While sometimes these charges perfectly fit the crime, prosecutors frequently use “charge

Continue Reading

A simple traffic stop can quickly escalate into a high-stakes legal situation. Law enforcement cannot simply search your vehicle on a whim. The encounter must begin with a lawful reason to pull you over, but what happens next dictates the trajectory of your case. At SKA Law Group, our criminal defense attorneys are highly experienced

Continue Reading

Getting pulled over by the police in Philadelphia and discovering the vehicle you are driving is stolen is a terrifying situation. In Pennsylvania, a simple traffic stop can quickly escalate into severe property crime or vehicle-related charges, such as unauthorized use of an automobile, theft of a motor vehicle, or receiving stolen property. At SKA

Continue Reading

If you are a contractor in Philadelphia and a construction project goes wrong, it might become more than just an unhappy customer. Sometimes, a normal disagreement over a contract can turn into serious criminal charges. Michael Kotik, Amato Sanita, William Weiss, William Burrows, and the defense team at SKA Law Group are Philadelphia criminal lawyers

Continue Reading

Getting arrested is terrifying and can cause a silent mental breakdown. If you are facing criminal charges in Philadelphia, you know that the time between your arrest and your final court date is a highly stressful “waiting game”. The Heavy Toll of the Waiting Game Going to court multiple times makes people feel very anxious,

Continue Reading