What should I do if I've been arrested in Pennsylvania?

Stay calm, do not resist, and do not answer substantive questions beyond confirming your identity. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney — invoke both, clearly and out loud. Don't consent to searches and don't try to talk your way out of the charge at the scene or station. Call a defense attorney as soon as possible.

What's the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in PA?

Pennsylvania misdemeanors are graded M3, M2, and M1 with maximum sentences of one, two, and five years respectively. Felonies are graded F3, F2, and F1 with maximums of seven, ten, and twenty years (with some offenses carrying more). Felonies generally carry longer probation, larger fines, and more serious collateral consequences for employment, housing, and firearms rights.

Am I eligible for ARD on a criminal charge?

ARD is generally available to first-time, non-violent offenders. Many Pennsylvania drug possession, retail theft, and certain misdemeanor charges qualify. The decision rests with the District Attorney's office, and standards vary by county. Successfully completing ARD allows expungement and avoids a conviction on your record.

Can a criminal record be expunged or sealed in Pennsylvania?

Yes, in many cases. ARD completions can be expunged immediately. Summary convictions can be expunged after five years of clean record. Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Act provides automatic sealing for many lower-level misdemeanors after ten years without re-offense. Felony convictions generally cannot be expunged, though some can be sealed by petition.

Will a drug charge affect my job, license, or immigration status?

Yes — even a misdemeanor drug conviction can affect professional licenses (nursing, teaching, real estate), federal student aid, firearms rights, and immigration status for non-citizens. Some of these consequences attach at the plea stage, not just sentencing, so it's critical to evaluate them before resolving the case.

Do I need a lawyer for a probation violation hearing?

Yes. A Gagnon II hearing can result in revocation and reinstatement of the original sentence — including time you thought you'd avoided. Judges have wide discretion. An attorney can present mitigation, negotiate technical violations down, and protect you from harsher exposure than the underlying charge originally carried.

Practice Area

Criminal Defense when everything is on the line.

Misdemeanor or felony, every charge can carry consequences far beyond the courtroom — employment, housing, custody, and immigration. We build the strongest possible defense from day one.

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Charges we handle.

With over two decades in Pennsylvania criminal courts, Attorney Quinlan knows the judges, the prosecutors, and what it takes to move a case toward the best outcome — whether that's dismissal, ARD, negotiated plea, or trial.

Based in Harrisburg? See our Harrisburg / Dauphin County criminal defense page, or our DUI attorney in Harrisburg PA page if the charge involves DUI.

Assault & Violent Offenses
Aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct — grading, sentencing ranges, and the reduction ladder.
Drug Crimes
Possession, PWID, marijuana, paraphernalia, prescription fraud, trafficking, drug DUI, federal charges, and drug court — grading and the reduction ladder.
Drug Possession & Delivery
Section 13 cases — possession, PWID, paraphernalia, and constructive possession defenses.
Simple & Aggravated Assault
From bar fights to domestic charges, including self-defense strategies.
Terroristic Threats
§ 2706 M1 threat cases — intent to terrorize, texts and voicemails, and the F3 evacuation grading.
Reckless Endangerment (REAP)
§ 2705 M2 exposure where no one was injured — firearms, driving, and child-supervision allegations.
Robbery
§ 3701 F1/F2/F3 grading, crime-of-violence consequences, and second-strike exposure.
Strangulation
§ 2718 grading from M2 to F1, household-member enhancements, and PFA overlap.
Assault on Police & First Responders
§ 2702(a)(3) and § 2702.1 charges — felony exposure with minimal injury.
Weapons-Related Assault Enhancements
§ 2702(a)(4), § 907, and the deadly weapon sentencing enhancement.
Theft & Property Crimes
Theft, retail theft, receiving stolen property, deception, and forgery — grading by value, sentencing ranges, and the reduction ladder.
Sex Crimes Defense
Chapter 31 and Chapter 63 charges — indecent assault, sexual assault, statutory sexual assault, offenses involving minors, and Megan's Law / SORNA registration tiers.
Gun & Firearms Offenses
§ 6106 carrying without a license, § 6105 possession bars, straw purchases, licensing appeals, and federal gun charges.
Weapons Offenses
VUFA, carrying without a license, and concealed-carry defense.
Probation Violations
Gagnon hearings and avoiding revocation.
Domestic Violence & PFA
How domestic allegations are actually charged in PA, PFA hearings, firearms relinquishment, custody impact, and record relief.
PFA Defense
Protection From Abuse petitions — the ten-business-day hearing, consent orders, and final-order consequences.
Violating a PFA Order
§ 6114 indirect criminal contempt — up to six months per violation, even on victim-initiated contact.
Expungements & Pardons
Eligibility under § 9122, Clean Slate sealing, ARD and summary expungements, and Board of Pardons applications.
County Expungement Filings
Petitions filed in the county where the case originated.
Disorderly Conduct
Summary and M3 grading, public drunkenness, and the five-year expungement.
Drug Court & Diversion
ARD, Section 17 probation without verdict, Section 18, and county drug treatment courts.

Criminal defense · services

Every criminal charge we defend.

Each service page covers the statute, the grading, the mandatory consequences, and the defenses that actually move these cases.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Common questions about Pennsylvania criminal charges, ARD, expungement, and what to expect.

Stay calm, do not resist, and do not answer substantive questions beyond confirming your identity. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney — invoke both, clearly and out loud. Don't consent to searches and don't try to talk your way out of the charge at the scene or station. Call a defense attorney as soon as possible.
Pennsylvania misdemeanors are graded M3, M2, and M1 with maximum sentences of one, two, and five years respectively. Felonies are graded F3, F2, and F1 with maximums of seven, ten, and twenty years (with some offenses carrying more). Felonies generally carry longer probation, larger fines, and more serious collateral consequences for employment, housing, and firearms rights.
ARD is generally available to first-time, non-violent offenders. Many Pennsylvania drug possession, retail theft, and certain misdemeanor charges qualify. The decision rests with the District Attorney's office, and standards vary by county. Successfully completing ARD allows expungement and avoids a conviction on your record.
Yes, in many cases. ARD completions can be expunged immediately. Summary convictions can be expunged after five years of clean record. Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Act provides automatic sealing for many lower-level misdemeanors after ten years without re-offense. Felony convictions generally cannot be expunged, though some can be sealed by petition.
Yes — even a misdemeanor drug conviction can affect professional licenses (nursing, teaching, real estate), federal student aid, firearms rights, and immigration status for non-citizens. Some of these consequences attach at the plea stage, not just sentencing, so it's critical to evaluate them before resolving the case.
Yes. A Gagnon II hearing can result in revocation and reinstatement of the original sentence — including time you thought you'd avoided. Judges have wide discretion. An attorney can present mitigation, negotiate technical violations down, and protect you from harsher exposure than the underlying charge originally carried.

Criminal defense by city & county

Criminal defense lawyer pages across Central PA.

Local courts decide local cases. Pick your city for the magisterial district courts, District Attorney practice, and diversion options where your charge was filed.

Expungement & Clean Slate

Clear your record in any Pennsylvania county.

We file expungement and Clean Slate sealing petitions in every Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas. Pick your county below for local court details, eligibility, and the filing process.

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The sooner we talk, the more we can do.

Every hour matters in a DUI or criminal case. Call directly and speak with Attorney Quinlan — not an intake desk.

Call (717) 724-7503 Schedule a consultation