Criminal offenses involving firearms are some of the most severe types of charges you can face in Pennsylvania. It is important that you take action to defend yourself if you hope to avoid the consequences of a guilty verdict.
A Bensalem, PA, gun crime lawyer at McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. could help you prepare a powerful defense strategy, obtain a plea agreement, or secure another favorable outcome. With our criminal defense lawyers backing you up, you can take steps to protect your future.
Types of Gun Crimes You Could Face in Bensalem, PA
There are multiple gun charges you could be facing if you are arrested in Bensalem, PA. Guns are typically referred to as firearms under Pennsylvania law. A firearm is defined as:
- A shotgun that has a barrel length of 18 inches or less
- A pistol, shotgun, revolver, or rifle with a total length of 25 inches or less
- A revolver or pistol that has a barrel length of 14 inches or less
- A rifle that has a barrel length of 15 inches or less
According to Pennsylvania criminal law, some examples of gun charges you could face include:
- Possession of a concealed firearm without a permit or a valid license to carry
- Unlawful possession of a firearm, such as in the case of a convicted felon
- Possession of a firearm on public property without a permit or valid license to carry
- Possession of a firearm by a minor
- Carrying a firearm with an altered or destroyed serial number
These are only a few of the more common types of gun crimes you could be charged with. If you have been arrested for another type of firearm offense, our team can explain the severity of the penalties you could be facing and discuss your potential defenses going forward.
For a free legal consultation with a gun crime lawyer serving Bensalem, call (610) 680-7842
Potential Penalties for a Gun Crimes Conviction
The consequences you can face for gun charges in Bensalem can vary widely depending on the type of offense you have been charged with. For instance, if you were charged with concealing a firearm without a valid license to carry or permit, you could be charged with a felony. If convicted, you could face fines as high as $15,000 and up to seven years in a Pennsylvania State prison.
Similarly, if you were accused of unlawful possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, you could be charged with a second-degree felony. This could be punishable by ten years in a Pennsylvania state prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
These are just a few examples of the criminal penalties you could face. In addition to fines and jail or prison time, you may also be required to complete community service hours, attend mental health counseling, complete a drug or alcohol treatment program, or face the requirements of probation or parole.
How a Gun Crimes Guilty Verdict Can Affect Your Life
It is not only criminal penalties that will influence your life if you are found guilty of a firearm-related offense. In addition to the criminal penalties, your criminal record will permanently reflect a conviction. This may make it challenging for you to find gainful employment or affordable housing. You may also have difficulty taking advantage of other opportunities that may arise due to the contents of your background check.
You will also find certain rights taken away. If you were not already prohibited from carrying a firearm, you would be now. You may also temporarily lose your voting rights and can expect to be disqualified from federal student aid programs. Foreign nationals can expect issues with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Bensalem Gun Crime Lawyer Near Me (610) 680-7842
Ways to Defend Yourself and Protect Your Freedom
In some cases, the best way to defend yourself when facing a gun-related offense is to work with the prosecuting attorney to enter a pretrial diversion program or obtain a plea agreement. However, if you do not qualify for these options, you may need to be prepared to defend yourself at trial.
Some of the defenses that may be used to challenge gun charges in Bensalem, PA, include:
- Unlawful search and seizure
- Illegal stop
- Prosecutorial misconduct
- Law enforcement mistakes
- Laboratory testing errors
- Constitutional rights violations
- Actual versus constructive possession
You can learn more about which defenses may be most suitable for your gun offense when you contact your Bensalem gun crimes lawyer for help.
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McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. Client Reviews
Our team of gun crimes lawyers at McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. strive to provide our clients with powerful defense strategies. You can take our word for it, but you don’t have to. Check out some of our most recent client reviews and testimonials:
- “Davis was everything I could have hoped for! Very responsive, knowledgeable and he came through on everything he promised. Reasonably priced & accessible. Highly recommend! Thank you David!!” -Ms Amethyst
- “Very professional. Helped my roommate get an expungement and kept us up to date every step of the way and went above and beyond for us. Prices were more than reasonable on the expungement. David explained everything even in a way us non-lawyer types could understand, his office was clean, and he’s a very down-to-earth kind of guy. Would highly recommend.” -Ed Spause
- “Intelligent, honest and reasonably priced, Mr McKenzie got the best possible outcome for my boyfriend. He will always return your calls, and never sends someone else from his office to handle his cases. He makes no false promises, and lets you know all the possible end results so you can make an educated decision. Hire this guy!” -Stephanie Liebert
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Work With a Gun Crimes Lawyer in Bensalem, PA, for Help Today
Firearm offenses carry severe criminal penalties and collateral consequences. It is critical that you are proactive with your defense so you can steer clear of the harsh penalties of a conviction.
Learn more about how to best approach your defense with a Bensalem, PA, gun crime lawyer at McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. Access your confidential case review when you fill out our secure contact form or call our office to set up your defense strategy session today.
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