Where will my Dauphin County criminal case be heard?

Dauphin County DUI cases run through the MDJ for the arrest location, then to the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas at the courthouse on Market Street, Harrisburg. Dauphin County's ARD program is one of the more responsive in Central PA.

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

ARD is generally available to first-time, non-violent offenders, and the District Attorney in Dauphin 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 Dauphin 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 Dauphin County DUI court?

Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas — Dauphin County Courthouse, 101 Market Street, Harrisburg. Preliminary hearings happen at the MDJ covering your arrest location (Harrisburg, Hershey/Derry, Lower Paxton, Susquehanna Twp, Middletown, etc.), then the case moves to Market Street.

Dauphin County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Charges we defend in Dauphin County.

Drug Possession — Dauphin 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 — Dauphin County
A conviction is a violent-offense record that blocks firearms rights, many professional licenses, and most background-checked employment.
Retail Theft — Dauphin 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 — Dauphin 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 — Dauphin 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 — Dauphin 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 — Dauphin County
Theft is a crime of dishonesty — the conviction category employers, licensing boards, and landlords screen for most aggressively.
Receiving Stolen Property — Dauphin County
RSP is charged as a crime of dishonesty even when you never took anything — the entire case usually rests on what police claim you knew about where the property came from.
Theft by Deception — Dauphin County
These cases are built out of contracts, invoices, and text messages — which means a business dispute, a job that went badly, or a loan that was never repaid can arrive as a felony.
PFA Defense — Dauphin 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 — Dauphin 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 — Dauphin County
BAC tiers, ARD, refusals, and license suspensions in Dauphin County.

What happens after a Dauphin 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 Dauphin County defense.

Dauphin County · practice areas

Start with the Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer hub.

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

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

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

Dauphin County DUI cases run through the MDJ for the arrest location, then to the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas at the courthouse on Market Street, Harrisburg. Dauphin County's ARD program is one of the more responsive in Central PA.
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.
ARD is generally available to first-time, non-violent offenders, and the District Attorney in Dauphin 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.
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.
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.
Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas — Dauphin County Courthouse, 101 Market Street, Harrisburg. Preliminary hearings happen at the MDJ covering your arrest location (Harrisburg, Hershey/Derry, Lower Paxton, Susquehanna Twp, Middletown, etc.), then the case moves to Market Street.

Related pages

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Dauphin County, PA.

Local courts, local prosecutors, local practice.

Charges we defend in Dauphin County.

What happens after a Dauphin County arrest.

More Dauphin County defense.

Start with the Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer hub.

Frequently asked questions.

The sooner we talk, the more we can do.