Where will my Adams County criminal case be heard?

Adams County DUI cases run through the Adams County MDJ network for the preliminary hearing, then the Adams County Courthouse on Baltimore Street in Gettysburg for ARD or Common Pleas. The Adams County DA's office runs a structured ARD intake we petition into whenever a client qualifies.

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Adams County?

We quote flat fees based on the grading and complexity of the charge — summary and low-level misdemeanor cases are the most affordable, while felony cases with suppression litigation or trial cost more. Consultations are free and the fee is fixed before you hire us, so there are no hourly surprises.

Am I eligible for ARD or diversion in Adams County?

ARD is generally available to first-time, non-violent offenders, and the District Attorney in Adams County controls admission. Drug possession, retail theft, and many first-offense misdemeanors are the most commonly approved charges. Completing the program avoids a conviction and allows expungement.

Should I talk to the police before hiring a lawyer?

No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel — say both out loud and stop talking. Nearly every statement given at the scene or station ends up as the strongest piece of the Commonwealth's case, and you cannot talk your way out of a charge that has already been decided on.

Do I have to appear in court in Adams County?

You must appear for the preliminary hearing, arraignment, and any Common Pleas proceeding unless the court excuses you. We can often waive or continue appearances at the earlier stages and appear on your behalf for scheduling matters.

Where is the Adams County DUI court?

Adams County Court of Common Pleas — Adams County Courthouse, 117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg. The preliminary hearing is at the MDJ office covering your arrest location (Gettysburg, Littlestown, Biglerville, East Berlin), then the case is bound over to Gettysburg.

Adams County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Charges we defend in Adams County.

Drug Possession — Adams County
A conviction means a criminal record, a 6-month PennDOT license suspension for a first drug offense, and professional-license and student-aid consequences.
Simple Assault — Adams County
A conviction is a violent-offense record that blocks firearms rights, many professional licenses, and most background-checked employment.
Retail Theft — Adams County
Retail theft is a crime of dishonesty — the conviction that employers screen for hardest, and the grading escalates automatically with each prior.
Firearms Charges — Adams County
Firearms charges carry felony grading, permanent loss of gun rights, and — for lawful owners with a licensing paperwork problem — a felony arrest over conduct they believed was legal.
Probation Violation — Adams County
A Gagnon II revocation can reinstate the jail sentence your original plea avoided, with no jury and a lower burden of proof.
Aggravated Assault — Adams County
An F1 aggravated assault carries up to 20 years, a deadly-weapon sentencing enhancement, a lifetime firearms bar, and a strike-style violent record.
Theft Charges — Adams County
Theft is a crime of dishonesty — the conviction category employers, licensing boards, and landlords screen for most aggressively.
PFA Defense — Adams County
A final PFA is entered on a preponderance of the evidence, appears on background checks, and triggers a federal firearms prohibition under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8).
Disorderly Conduct — Adams County
People assume a summary offense is not a record. It is — it appears on Pennsylvania background checks and stays there for five years unless it is expunged.
DUI — Adams County
BAC tiers, ARD, refusals, and license suspensions in Adams County.

What happens after a Adams County arrest.

1. Preliminary arraignment & bail
Bail conditions are set within hours of arrest. Getting them modified early keeps you working and out of custody while the case is pending.
2. Preliminary hearing (MDJ)
The Commonwealth only has to show a prima facie case — but this is where we lock in testimony, get counts dismissed, and start the diversion conversation.
3. Formal arraignment & discovery
Charges are formally entered in Common Pleas and discovery is produced. ARD and diversion applications are usually due around this stage.
4. Pretrial motions
Suppression of a search, a statement, or an identification is where most criminal cases are actually won.
5. Negotiation or trial
Either a negotiated disposition designed around your record and licensing, or a bench or jury trial in the Court of Common Pleas.
6. Expungement or sealing
Dismissals, withdrawals, and completed diversion are expungeable. We finish the case by clearing the record, not just closing the file.

More Adams County defense.

Adams County · practice areas

Start with the Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer hub.

Grading, diversion, and record relief — the statewide hub behind this Adams County page.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Common questions from Adams County drivers facing criminal charges — courts, costs, diversion, and record consequences.

Adams County DUI cases run through the Adams County MDJ network for the preliminary hearing, then the Adams County Courthouse on Baltimore Street in Gettysburg for ARD or Common Pleas. The Adams County DA's office runs a structured ARD intake we petition into whenever a client qualifies.

Related pages

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Adams County, PA.

Local courts, local prosecutors, local practice.

Charges we defend in Adams County.

What happens after a Adams County arrest.

More Adams County defense.

Start with the Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer hub.

Frequently asked questions.

The sooner we talk, the more we can do.