Criminal Defense

Criminal Defense Attorney in Washington County

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Excellent
Based on 23 reviews
Jane Fronius BTIFS
Jane Fronius BTIFS
2023-06-18
Excellent job!!! Thank you.
Ron Bryner
Ron Bryner
2023-06-16
I can't begin to say enough about Keith Emerick. He was very knowledgeable overall, especially about my case, and guided me through a very difficult time. I felt very much at ease with him by my side. He was also very responsive to all my calls and requests from beginning to end. I highly recommend his counsel. Thank you again.
Anthony Mariani
Anthony Mariani
2023-04-27
Very knowledgeable on how law works and did exactly what he said he was going to do. Very friendly to me and my fiancee...had many lawyers before who were not nearly the caliber of Keith emerick, I highly recommend him to anyone needing a lawyer...very affordable as well
Iwan Jahja
Iwan Jahja
2023-01-22
I highly recommend Keith, an attorney who is hardworking, communicative, experienced and truly working with a client’s best interests in mind. He effectively got a false charge dismissed at preliminary hearing, saving time and cost of trial.
Scott Spencer
Scott Spencer
2022-12-21
I highly recommend Keith. A great attorney, who you can feel confident about having in your corner.
Walter Castro
Walter Castro
2022-10-18
Great attorney. Very good and professional legal services. Straight communication and support. I highly recommend the office of Keith for efficient and effective legal services.
Mahala Brown
Mahala Brown
2022-09-16
highly recommend.

Experienced, Skilled, Ready to Help

From his law office on Beau Street, near the county courthouse, Criminal Defense Lawyer, Keith Emerick, has successfully defended his clients in the Washington County, PA court system in a wide variety of criminal cases.  From violent crimes like Homicide, Assault and Reckless Endangerment to drug crimes like Simple Possession and Possession with Intent to Deliver (PWID), Mr. Emerick has a proven track record in Washington County for providing the best possible defense when his clients need him the most.

Mr. Emerick has represented citizens from all over Washington County, including: Washington, Canonsburg, California, Donora, McMurray, Monongahela, Charleroi, Thompsonville, Centerville, McDonald, Cecil, and Burgettstown, among others.  He has practiced before every Magisterial District Judge in Washington County.  He has practiced before every Washington County Court of Common Pleas Judge.  Out-of-county residents seek him out for his local experience.  He has practiced with every prosecutor in Washington County.  He has met, handled cases filed by, even questioned, many of the police officers and Pennsylvania State Troopers employed in Washington County.  Mr. Emerick is a known quantity among judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement alike.

Mr. Emerick is well respected among his colleagues in the Washington County Bar, having previously served as the President of the Washington County Bar Association’s Criminal Law Division, where he was asked to guide continuing legal education (CLE) opportunities for other lawyers. He is a member of respected professional organizations like Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL) and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) where he routinely shares and discusses legal developments and strategy with criminal defense lawyers from around Pennsylvania and the United States. Mr. Emerick’s skill, training, knowledge, and experience provide his clients a key advantage in court.

If you are charged with a crime in Washington County, PA, Keith Emerick is here to help.

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Drug Crimes

Possession, Paraphernalia, Possession with Intent to Deliver (PWID); Marijuana, Heroine, Cocaine, Prescription Medication, Civil Asset Forfeiture/Return of Property, etc.

Violent Crimes

Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Harassment, Stalking, Domestic Abuse, Protection from Abuse Proceedings, Reckless Endangerment, etc.

Other Offenses

Sexual Offenses, Theft, Forgery, Receiving Stolen Property, Robbery, Burglary, Arson, Firearm Offenses, Criminal Mischief, etc.

Been There. Done That.

  • Defense Investigation
    • Private Investigators, Witness Interviews, Scene Inspection, Expert Witnesses, Forensic Evidence, etc.
  • Affirmative Defenses, Culpability, Justification
    • Self-Defense, Involuntary Acts, Ignorance/Mistake, Duress, Consent, De minimis acts, Entrapment, Mental Health Defenses/Competency Proceedings, etc.
  • Constitutional Defenses / Civil Rights
    • Illegal Searches & Seizures, Illegal Arrests, Illegal Search Warrants, Suggestive Identifications, Coercive Interrogations, etc.
  • Bench Trials, Jury Trials, Appeals, Post-Conviction Relief
  • Sentence Mitigation
    • Sometimes the best course of action is to control the damage, to mitigate, to lessen any eventual punishment.

“I’ve never met anyone I could not help.”

Proudly Serving

  • Allegheny County

    Pittsburgh

  • Washington County

    Washington

  • Westmoreland County

    Greensburg

  • Greene County

    Waynesburg

  • Beaver County

    Beaver

  • Butler County

    Butler

  • Fayette County

    Uniontown

  • Southwestern

    Pennsylvania

Criminal Defense FAQs

What does charging with a crime mean?
If you’ve been charged with a crime, a criminal complaint has been filed against you, accusing you of committing a crime. It’s possible a warrant has been issued for your arrest, or – if your charges are misdemeanor and/or non-violent – that you will soon receive a summons to court, preliminary hearing notice, fingerprint order, and copy of the criminal complaint filed against you. The time to hire a skilled and experienced criminal defense lawyer is now.
What if you are charged with a crime you did not commit?
The first step is to contact a skilled and experienced criminal defense lawyer. We’ll begin formulating a defense. It may even be necessary to involve a defense investigator.
How long do police have to file charges in PA?
In PA, the statute of limitations depends on the nature of the offense. Prosecutions for “Major offenses” as enumerated under PA law, must be commenced within 5 years. Prosecutions for “Major sexual offense” must be commenced within 12 years. Prosecutions for other offenses must be commenced within 2 years. Certain serious offenses, such as Murder, can be commenced at any time.
Do you handle assault charges?
Yes, I handle assault charges. I have represented individuals accused with a wide array of violent crimes, including but not limited to: Homicide, Attempted Homicide, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Strangulation, and Terroristic Threats.
What is the charge of simple assault in PA?
In PA, Simple Assault is act of intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another, or attempt to cause bodily injury to another. It can also be the negligent causing of bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon. Simple Assault can be the attempt, by physical menace, to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. Simple Assault is also charged when an individual conceals a hypodermic needle on his person and intentionally or knowingly penetrates a law enforcement officer, jail guard, or mental hospital staff. Simple Assault is the most common charge for individuals accused of attacking another person, though it can also arise in the context of a mutual fight.
Is simple assault a misdemeanor in PA?
Yes, Simple Assault is a misdemeanor in PA. It is most often graded as a second-degree misdemeanor, or “M2”. If the victim was a child under 12 years of age, the crime is graded as a first-degree misdemeanor, or “M1”. If the assault occurs in the context of a fight or scuffle entered into by mutual consent, the crime is graded as a third-degree misdemeanor, or “M3”.
How bad is a terroristic threat charge in PA?
In PA, Terroristic Threats is most often graded a first-degree misdemeanor. If the threat disrupts the occupants of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation, the crime is graded as a third-degree felony. This charge brings with it potential incarceration, probation, fines, and court costs.
Do you handle drug cases?
Yes, I handle drug cases. I have represented individuals accused with a wide array of drug crimes, including but not limited to: Possession with Intent to Deliver, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. For those who have had property and/or cash seized by law enforcement, I have also handled both Civil Asset Forfeiture proceedings and Return of Property proceedings.
What is possession with intent to deliver in PA?
In PA, Possession with Intent to Deliver or “PWID”, is the unauthorized possession of a controlled substance, together with the intent to manufacture or deliver the substance. This felony charge is most common for those accused of involvement in the sale of controlled substances.
Can possession charges be dropped in Pennsylvania?
Yes, possession charges can be dropped. It often depends on the amount of drugs possessed, the circumstances of same, and the history and/or criminal record of the defendant.
What is a first-degree misdemeanor?
In PA, a first-degree misdemeanor or “M1” is a crime where – if convicted - the longest allowable minimum sentence is 2 ½ years and the longest allowable maximum sentence is 5 years. The maximum allowable fine is $10,000.
What is first-degree felony?
In PA, a first-degree felony or “F1” is a crime where – if convicted - the longest allowable minimum sentence is 10 years and the longest allowable maximum sentence is 20 years. The maximum allowable fine is $25,000.
What is a second-degree misdemeanor?
In PA, a second-degree misdemeanor or “M2” is a crime where – if convicted - the longest allowable minimum sentence is 1 year and the longest allowable maximum sentence is 2 years. The maximum allowable fine is $5,000.
What is a second-degree felony?
In PA, a second-degree felony or “F2” is a crime where – if convicted - the longest allowable minimum sentence is 5 years and the longest allowable maximum sentence is 10 years. The maximum allowable fine is $25,000.
What is a third-degree misdemeanor?
In PA, a third-degree misdemeanor or “M3” is a crime where – if convicted - the longest allowable minimum sentence is 6 months and the longest allowable maximum sentence is 1 year. The maximum allowable fine is $2,500.
What is a third-degree felony?
In PA, a third-degree felony or “F3” is a crime where – if convicted - the longest allowable minimum sentence is 3 ½ years and the longest allowable maximum sentence is 7 years. The maximum allowable fine is 15,000.
What is the least punishment for a felony?
In PA, sentences for felonies and misdemeanors are determined by a judge who considers, among other facts, the severity of the offense, as enumerated by an Offense Gravity Score (OGS) and the defendant’s criminal record, as enumerated by a Prior Record Score (PRS). Among the possibilities: incarceration at a state correctional institute or county jail, probation, and fines. In rare cases, where probation is unnecessary, state law authorizes the determination of guilt without further penalty.
Do first-time drug offenders go to jail in Pennsylvania?
It’s possible. Depending on the amount of drugs possessed and circumstances of same, incarceration at either a state prison or county jail is possible. Since drug cases are highly fact specific, the best thing to do is contact a skilled, experienced criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible to being discussing your defense strategy.