If you face criminal charges in Montgomery County, PA, choosing the right defense lawyer is of utmost importance. Your career, family life, reputation, and personal freedom may all be at stake. As such, you deserve a Montgomery County criminal defense lawyer who has the experience, determination, and resolve to fight for the best possible outcome for your case.
McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., can provide that for you. Criminal defense lawyer David C. McKenzie III represents people from all walks of life who are facing charges of misdemeanor or felony crimes in Montgomery County, PA—from DUIs to drug trafficking and other offenses. Our team is available to discuss your case at no cost as soon as you call.
Why Choose McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., for Your Criminal Case?
As one of the top-rated defense firms in Pennsylvania, McKenzie Law Firm, P.C.’s awards, accolades, and client testimonials speak volumes about the quality of our practice. Our accolades include:
- Distinguished Top 40 Under 40 recognition by the American Society of Legal Advocates
- AVVO’s highest rating of 10.0 Superb
- The 10 Best Award in Client Satisfaction for the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
- Rising Stars Super Lawyers Recognition
- Over 300 reviews averaging five stars
One such review comes from previous client Adrian Elkind, who kindly said: “With his experience and understanding of the legal system, he was able to help me achieve a result that was better than my best-case scenario! I’m grateful for receiving representation from David and highly recommend him for your defense attorney needs.”
Attorney David McKenzie Meets the Criteria That Those Facing Criminal Charges Look For
There are two things defendants should look for in a criminal defense attorney: capability and unflinching determination. David has both.
As a former prosecutor, David knows how the state functions and how prosecutors’ minds work. He understands the criminal legal process from start to finish, and he has developed an arsenal of negotiation and defense strategies that have proven successful for his clients.
McKenzie is also a husband, father, and community leader, so he knows how important your future, family, and livelihood are—and how much is riding on your case’s outcome. You can count on our criminal defense attorneys when you need us the most.
Our Firm Can Defend You Against Criminal Charges in Montgomery County
Our team takes every case we handle very seriously. We work diligently to give each client the service, counsel, and attention they deserve. When you reach out to us for representation, you can expect us to:
- Listen carefully to what you experienced during and after your arrest
- Take note of any potential civil rights violations
- Thoroughly review the criminal offense allegations or charges against you
- Investigate for evidence to support your side of the case
- Determine the best approach to your case, whether it be fighting to have the charges dropped, representing you at trial, or negotiating a favorable plea deal
- Communicate on your behalf to protect you from further legal harm
- Prepare you for court appearances and other case matters
With an expansive background in civil and criminal law, litigation, and prosecution, Attorney McKenzie has developed the skills necessary to protect his clients’ rights and fight for their best interests throughout criminal proceedings.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer for A Criminal Case in Montgomery County?
If you have any questions, understand this: You should hire a lawyer for your criminal case in Montgomery County, and hire a lawyer that you trust and believe in. There are several reasons to retain an attorney with relevant experience, including:
- The high stakes of a criminal conviction: A conviction and criminal penalties are among the most serious threats that anyone can face. Starting or adding to your criminal record can be a truly life-altering development. For serious charges, such as violent crimes, you may even be facing the loss of your freedom. With such high stakes, you need all the help you can get.
- Your own current psychological state: You may be stressed and worried about your criminal charges, which is completely natural. However, such stress may worsen if you try to handle your own defense. By hiring a lawyer, you may allow yourself to reach a better psychological state. You will have someone on your side to protect your legal rights and possibly reduce your chance of serving prison time.
- Your lack of legal training and experience: When it comes to criminal law, experience and training are critically important. If you’re not a lawyer with relevant experience defending yourself or someone else against criminal charges, you may face several disadvantages during the legal process. Our criminal defense law firm knows how to get charges dismissed, evidence barred from court, and create reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors during a criminal trial.
A trusted criminal defense lawyer is absolutely worth the cost. After all, what price can you put on freedom or your reputation?
Potential Defenses Our Lawyer Could Use to Fight Your Charges
From the moment you put us to work, our team will begin exploring your defense options so that we can choose a strategy that puts you in the best possible position. For example, we may be able to:
- Invalidate the prosecution’s evidence: By questioning the validity of the evidence against you, we can work to get your charges dropped or reduced.
- Negotiate a plea deal: In some cases, we can negotiate with the prosecutor to pursue reduced charges or penalties.
- Prove the violation of your civil rights: If law enforcement violated your rights at any time, we could use evidence of this to have your case dismissed.
- Consider your eligibility for pre-trial diversion programs: If you are a non-violent offender with no criminal history, we might be able to get you into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) pre-trial intervention program. Outlined in 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 3807, this program could help you avoid jail time and enable you to have your charges dismissed or expunged.
When you work with us, we will explain exactly what you are up against and devise the most promising plan of action for your case. Our team handles a wide range of criminal cases, including a long list of crimes commonly committed by first-time offenders. Our criminal defense law firm may be able to offer you alternatives to getting a conviction and having a criminal record.
The Penalties You Face May Range Beyond the State’s Formal Punishment
We never downplay the severity of legal penalties, whether they come from local courts, the State of Pennsylvania, or the federal government. Between fines and potential imprisonment, you should take a prosecutor’s power to punish you seriously.
However, you should also know that a criminal conviction will have effects beyond the state’s formal sanctions. Even once you’ve paid your fines and completed other sentencing conditions, you may:
- Struggle financially: Fines alone can put you in a substantial financial hole. Upon fulfilling those fines, you may have further financial difficulty due to employment challenges. Such financial struggles can change virtually every aspect of your life and may be difficult to bounce back from.
- Lack of fulfilling employment: Having a criminal conviction on your record is never positive, especially in the eyes of prospective employers. Your pool of potential jobs may shrink significantly after a criminal conviction in Montgomery County. You may earn less and enjoy your job less as a consequence of your limited employment opportunities.
- Have a lessened role as a parent: Courts that oversee parental rights may hold your criminal conviction against you. You may lose some or all of your parental rights if a former partner chooses to pursue greater custody of your children.
- Lose valued relationships: Fair or not, some people make decisions about who to be in a relationship with based on their criminal history. Partners who you may otherwise date could view a criminal conviction as a non-starter.
- Struggle psychologically, emotionally, and physically: All of the consequences of a criminal conviction can have a devastating toll. Your emotional and psychological health may suffer, and your physical health could suffer as a result of stress, depression, and other potential outcomes of a conviction.
We bring your attention to these consequences for one reason: to emphasize the importance of a capable criminal defense. More is at stake than legal sanctions alone, and we want to help minimize the harm of your pending criminal charges. Of course, the severity of these effects could vary based on the type of crime you are alleged to have committed. However, even some non-violent offenses can come with harsh penalties, both from the court system and in your daily life.
What Types of Cases Does McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., Handle?
Our law firm handles misdemeanor and felony cases in both state and federal court in Montgomery County, PA. Some of the primary types of criminal defense cases we handle include:
DUI
This is one of the most common cases we handle. Penalties can range from fines and mandatory alcohol awareness programs to jail time and a required ignition interlock device for your vehicle.
Drug Crimes
The penalties for drug crimes, such as possession, sale, and trafficking, vary depending on the type and amount of drugs cited in your case.
Theft
A theft conviction could mean a forever-tarnished criminal record, not to mention possible jail time, hefty fines, and other consequences.
White-Collar Crime
Being charged with a white-collar crime such as fraud or embezzlement not only harms your personal and professional reputation but could result in long-term imprisonment and the end of your career.
Traffic Violations
Some traffic cases threaten more than just your wallet. In addition to fines, a traffic court conviction can mean losing your driving privileges, probation, and imprisonment.
General Criminal Defense
McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., defends clients against other common criminal charges such as sex crimes, burglary, domestic violence, outstanding warrants, and probation violations.
Expungement
We also handle expungement cases. If your record has a qualifying conviction, we can pursue an expungement that could give you the clean slate you need to move on with your life. We can also seek limited access status for misdemeanors if expungement is unavailable.
Do You Know Your Rights and How to Exercise Them In Pennsylvania? We Do.
When arrested and charged with a crime, many people have little idea what their rights are or how to best handle the situation. Defendants may be shocked and fearful over the ordeal and sometimes wind up doing or saying something that hurts their case. Having a criminal defense lawyer in Montgomery County, PA, by your side can help you avoid missteps.
Whatever the charges you are facing, you have certain rights that you can exercise. Specifically, you have the right to:
- Hire a defense attorney
- Know why you have been arrested and what the charges against you are (i.e., officers must place you under arrest and tell you your charges if they want to take you anywhere)
- Receive a hearing from a judge and enter a plea of guilty or not guilty
- Refuse to make incriminating statements
- A fair trial, free from judicial misconduct or major legal proceeding errors
Our firm can protect these rights, defend your integrity, and counsel you as you navigate Montgomery County’s criminal justice system.
When Should You Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
Whether law enforcement has named you a person of interest or filed charges against you, it is never too early to hire legal counsel. From the moment officers request to speak with you, our defense attorney can be by your side protecting your rights. The sooner you reach out to McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., the sooner we can begin building your defense.
Call McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. to Discuss Your Montgomery County Criminal Case for Free
After listening to your story and gathering critical information, our team will explain your charges, potential penalties, and the best available defenses and strategies for your situation. Moreover, you’ll always have access to your criminal defense lawyer when you work with us.
No matter your charges, our team at McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., wants to hear about your Montgomery County case. Contact our firm today for a free consultation.
