by wengerlaw2Illegal Possession of a Firearm, Pennsylvania
If you’ve been convicted of a felony, it is an offense to hold a firearm. The penalty for breaking the law can be severe especially if it is illegal possession of firearms charges.
The right to bear arms is embedded in the Constitution, but in Pennsylvania, that doesn’t apply to everyone. In an attempt to reduce the rising rates of gun violence, the Commonwealth’s legislature introduced laws preventing convicted felons from possessing guns.
Firearms legislation in Pennsylvania
Approximately 1,400 people die from gun violence in Pennsylvania every year. With every new shooting, the pressure grows on legislators to take action to reduce the number of guns on the streets.
As such, Pennsylvania makes it illegal for anyone to own a gun if they have been convicted of a felony. Crimes include any offense relating to a gun, burglary, stalking, impersonating a police officer or receiving stolen property.
You might also be barred from owning a gun if you have been charged under a controlled substance act or have been subject to a restraining order for abuse. Any individual who has been deemed mentally incompetent to carry a gun will also have their license revoked.
Penalties for illegal firearms possession in Pennsylvania
If you have been deemed unfit to bear arms, you will have 60 days to dispose of any firearms you possess. After this point, you could face serious penalties of you’re found in possession of a weapon.
If you fail to obey his order and dispose of your weapons in time, you could face up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine. A more serious offense would be if you’re found in possession of any firearm after being banned from carrying weapons. If this happens, you could face up to ten years in prison and a fine as high as $25,000.
There may be ways to restore your right to bear arms. The ban will not apply to any felony which has been expunged, set aside, for which you’ve been pardoned or had your civil rights restored (such as the right to vote).
Whatever your situation, you should always get the best legal help possible. The consequences of being convicted of illegal possession of firearms could be devastating. They will continue to hold you back even when your prison sentence has ended. If you give us a call, we’ll be there when you need us most. If possible, we will get the charge dismissed. If not, we will seek to minimize the sentence and ensure your rights are respected throughout the process.
by wengerlaw2Third Offense DUI, within 10 years List
- 3802(a)(2) – BAC of 0.08% to less than 0.10%
- Misdemeanor of the Second Degree
- Mandatory jail time of 10 days up to 2 years
- Mandatory minimum fine of $500.00 up to $5000.00
- License Suspension of 12 months
- Interlock eligibility after 6 months
- Ignition interlock for 1 year
- Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment
- 3802(b) – BAC of 0.10% to less than 0.16%
- Misdemeanor of the First Degree
- Mandatory jail time of 90 days up to 5 years
- Mandatory minimum fine of $1500.00 up to $10,000.00
- License suspension of 18 months
- Interlock eligibility after 9 months
- Ignition interlock – 1 year
- Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment
- 3802(c) – BAC of 0.16% or higher
- A felony of the Third Degree
- Mandatory jail time of 1 year up to 7 years
- Mandatory minimum fine of $2500.00 up to $15,000.00
- License suspension of 18 months
- Interlock eligibility after 9 months
- Ignition interlock – 1 year
- Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment
- DNA sampling
by wengerlaw2Consequences of a Criminal Conviction
If you are charged with a crime, you could be facing serious consequences including jail time and fines. Often times, the Commonwealth may not have all of the evidence necessary to convict you of everything, or you may have the ability to suppress evidence that the Commonwealth is trying to use against you. An aggressive criminal defense attorney can guide you through the criminal justice system and help make sure you have the best possible outcome to the charges you face.
Here are some possible consequences of a criminal conviction:
- Incarceration
- Fines and court costs
- Probation
- A permanent criminal record
- Driver’s License Suspension (link)
- Restrictions on your ability to travel
- Loss, suspension, or denial of a professional license
- Inability to purchase or rent a home
- Obstacles in finding a job
- Making someone ineligible for financial aid for post-secondary education
If you would like to discuss your case, and possible outcomes, use the form below to contact me.
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