If you have been arrested for a gun crime, you are likely wondering how you can beat the charges or at least have them reduced. Pennsylvania is an open carry state, but it does have stringent gun laws that must be adhered to. If you break one of these laws, you could face serious punishments such as jail time and fines.
McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. is ready to defend your rights against these serious charges. When you have been charged with breaking a gun law, we can prepare your defense so that you can return to your life. When you need a Delaware County gun lawyer, we are ready to help you.
The Pennsylvania constitution states that Pennsylvanians 21 years of age or older have the right to bear arms to defend themselves and the state. However, other factors influence gun laws that must be followed, or you could be charged with a criminal offense.
You can carry a gun in your home, even if you do not have a carry permit. Additionally, if you have a permit, it is legal to carry a gun when you are:
To carry a concealed weapon, you must have a permit. If you do not have a permit and are caught with a concealed weapon, you commit a misdemeanor under Pennsylvania state law. However, if you commit another crime with a concealed weapon, then you could be charged with a felony, which could produce a hefty fine and jail time.
Pennsylvania law lists numerous people who are not allowed to carry a weapon under any circumstances. Some of these individuals include:
We are committed to seeing our clients have their names cleared and receive a verdict of not guilty. However, to best serve you, we know that we must be involved with your defense at every step.
When your freedom is on the line, you want to know that you can get in contact with the criminal defense attorney representing you. Our team prides itself on being always accessible. We are available through text, email, social media, phone, and any other means of communication.
This accessibility does not become available until you have hired us to represent you. Therefore, while we can be reached for questions or concerns before representing you, we must focus on the clients that have retained us to work for them.
Defenses are available to you when you have been charged with violating a gun law in Delaware County. We will speak with you about what happened and help you determine which defense should be the one that you move forward with.
We will let you know if we believe the best option for you is to negotiate for a lesser charge or plead guilty. Sometimes a guilty plea offers a better outcome than pleading not guilty and facing an uphill battle in court.
For you to be convicted, the prosecution must prove you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. However, we are ready to defend you in court if that is what is necessary to ensure that you are given the verdict that you deserve.
Your defense is the most important part of your case. With a solid defense, it is difficult for the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of a crime. Your defense will depend on the crime you were charged with.
If you had to use your weapon, your gun attorney could argue that the action was in self-defense. Pennsylvania Code § 505 states that a person may use force that justifiably protects them from another person.
If you fire your gun in self-defense and kill another person, we must prove that using deadly force was warranted in this instance. Deadly force is justifiable in self-defense pleas; however, it must be proven that such force was needed because you were in immediate danger for your life.
If you were charged with carrying a concealed gun without a permit, your criminal defense gun attorney could prepare a case proving your weapon was not concealed.
Pennsylvania has clear laws regarding when you can and cannot carry a concealed or non-concealed weapon. If your weapon was not concealed, you could be acquitted of your charges entirely.
To prove that your weapon was not concealed, your attorney will:
You are entitled to a proper defense if you have been charged with breaking a gun law. You need a criminal defense lawyer ready to represent you, build a strong case, and fight for your rights. If it makes the most sense for you to make a plea bargain to get a lesser punishment, you need an attorney who will be honest with you and provide you with options that best suit your situation.
At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we are ready to fight on your behalf to ensure that the best possible outcome for your case is achieved. When you need a Delaware County gun lawyer, contact us to discuss how we can help you.
