A criminal charge begins a process; it does not establish guilt. The immediate priorities are to understand the exact allegations, comply with bail and court orders, preserve favorable evidence, avoid preventable statements, and identify the next deadline. The available strategy depends on the offense, evidence, prior record, stage of the case, and client objectives. The discussion below explains those decisions without predicting an outcome.
Is this your situation?
People may arrive at the criminal process at several different points, and no single overview can summarize every offense. A reader should recognize whether the immediate need is investigation advice, bail compliance, a preliminary hearing, Common Pleas litigation, or collateral-consequence review.
- You were arrested, received a summons, or learned that a criminal complaint has been filed.
- Police want an interview, consent to search, phone access, or additional documents.
- You have a preliminary arraignment or preliminary hearing scheduled before a magisterial district judge.
- The charge may affect employment, professional licensing, immigration, firearms, housing, school, or family proceedings.
- You are considering ARD, a negotiated resolution, motions, or trial and need the tradeoffs explained.
Immediate risks
Early conduct can affect the case before discovery arrives. Written orders should be followed precisely, potential evidence preserved, and investigative questions handled with counsel rather than through repeated explanations to police, witnesses, or online audiences.
- Missing court or violating bail can create a warrant, detention, or additional charges.
- Voluntary explanations, texts, social posts, and calls from correctional facilities may become evidence.
- Video, location data, witness recollections, business records, and other defense evidence can disappear.
- A plea or conviction may create consequences beyond the sentence, including licensing, immigration, firearm, and employment effects.
- An early offer can have a deadline, but accepting it before reviewing the evidence may surrender viable issues.
What happens next?
This overview describes the general criminal-court sequence and links to focused guides addressing charge-specific elements, evidence, and defenses.
- 1
Investigation and charging
Police investigate and the Commonwealth files a complaint or other charging document. The filing method determines whether the person is arrested, summoned, or directed to another initial proceeding.
- 2
Preliminary arraignment and bail
When applicable, the court advises the accused of the charges, counsel rights, bail, and the next event. Every condition remains enforceable unless changed by the court.
- 3
Preliminary hearing
Unless waived, the Commonwealth must present a prima facie case. The hearing may expose evidentiary weaknesses, preserve testimony, or narrow charges, but it is not a trial.
- 4
Common Pleas discovery and motions
After charges are held for court, counsel obtains discovery, investigates defenses, evaluates collateral consequences, and files appropriate pretrial motions.
- 5
Resolution or trial
Options may include dismissal, diversion, a negotiated disposition, or trial. Each requires an informed comparison of evidence, exposure, obligations, and objectives.
- 6
Sentencing and review
If there is a conviction, sentencing follows under the applicable law. Post-sentence motions, appeal, expungement, or other relief depend on separate eligibility and deadlines.
County procedure differs across the Lehigh Valley. Compare our Lehigh County criminal-procedure guide with the Northampton County guide for the local bail, hearing, arraignment, diversion, and treatment-court tracks.
After a case ends, the next question may be whether the record qualifies for expungement, Clean Slate, limited access, or a pardon. Our Pennsylvania record-clearing guide compares those separate forms of relief.
How counsel helps
The value of representation lies in issue identification, investigation, informed choice, and courtroom preparation. Those functions do not imply special influence over prosecutors, police, or judges.
- Confirm the charges, grading, procedural posture, bail conditions, and all known deadlines.
- Preserve and investigate police, witness, physical, medical, digital, location, and business-record evidence.
- Analyze searches, seizures, statements, identifications, expert proof, and whether each statutory element can be supported.
- Explain preliminary-hearing, diversion, plea, motion, and trial decisions using the actual evidence and collateral risks.
- Prepare mitigation and sentencing material when appropriate while preserving objections and review rights.
What clients say
Client statements are individual examples. They do not promise or predict a similar result in another matter.
James Madsen is AMAZING!!! He communicates, returns your calls in a timely manner, explains in detail what's happening, has compassion, and gets the job done. If you need a criminal Lawyer, this is the man you want by your side. He went above & beyond to help me!!! He is by far the BEST criminal Lawyer in Northampton/Lehigh County. I Highly recommend James Madsen as a criminal defense Attorney.
Detailed Lehigh Valley Guidance
The overview above addresses immediate decisions. The sections below provide additional local and topic-specific detail.
Criminal Defense Attorneys in the Lehigh Valley
When your freedom & reputation are at stake, consult Criminal Defense Attorneys in Allentown, Bethlehem & Easton
Madsen Law Offices is the professional identity of James Madsen, Esq.; legal services are provided through Spitale, Vargo, Madsen & Blair. James handles criminal matters in Northampton, Lehigh, and Monroe Counties, including preliminary hearings, Common Pleas proceedings, trials, and appeals where appropriate.
Local experience means familiarity with court rules, filing systems, scheduling, and county procedure. It does not imply influence with police, prosecutors, judges, or another public official. The charge, evidence, governing law, assigned tribunal, and decisions of the client and other participants control the available path.
Criminal Charges handled by our Lehigh and Northampton County Criminal Defense Office
Theft Charges
- Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition
- Theft By Deception
- Theft by Extortion
- Theft by Receiving Stolen Property
- Theft of Services
- Retail Theft & Shoplifting
- Robbery
- Theft of property lost, mislaid or delivered by mistake
Drug Charges
- Small Amount of Marijuana
- Drug Possession
- Possession with Intent to Distribute or Deliver
- Heroin Possession
- Cocaine Possession
- Methamphetamine Possession
- Medical Marijuana Issues
Violent Crimes & Weapons Charges
- Homicide
- Aggravated Assault
- Simple Assault
- Terroristic Threats
- Reckless Endangerment of Another Person
- Harassment
- Disorderly Conduct
- Weapons Charges
- Gun & Firearm Charges
- Prohibited Offensive Weapons
Sex Crimes
- Rape
- Statutory sexual assault (sometimes called statutory rape)
- Aggravated Indecent Assault
- Indecent Assault
- Indecent Exposure
- Sexual Assault
- Unlawful Dissemination of Intimate Images
Juvenile Charges
The practice handles juvenile-delinquency matters; conflicts, availability, venue, and the scope of any engagement are confirmed during intake.
Our Approach to Criminal Defense in Northampton County & Lehigh County
Our Easton Criminal Defense Attorneys prepare each case for the contested proceedings that may be required.
1. Early Evidence Preservation and Advice
Prompt review can help preserve records and identify the next deadline.
Early contact may provide more time to preserve video, messages, device data, records, and witness information before it is lost. Counsel may communicate with investigators or prosecutors when authorized and strategically appropriate, but no lawyer can promise that an investigation will end without charges. The immediate task is to protect rights, avoid obstruction or witness contact, and prepare from the facts actually available.
2. Evaluation of Charges, Bail, and Discovery
Counsel reviews the complaint, affidavit, bail conditions, and available evidence.
When charges are filed, counsel can review the grading, elements, affidavit of probable cause, bail status, detainers, deadlines, and discovery. Work may include requesting records, interviewing available witnesses, preserving physical or digital evidence, and preparing for a bail hearing. Pretrial Services makes its own recommendation; representation cannot promise a favorable recommendation or special access.
3. Preparation for Criminal Court Appearances
Each hearing has a different purpose, burden, and set of choices.
Preparation may include organizing exhibits, comparing testimony to prior statements, identifying admissibility or suppression issues, researching the governing law, and discussing whether a negotiated resolution, motion, waiver, or contested hearing serves the client’s objectives. Strategy must remain responsive to evidence introduced in court without relying on theatrical aggression, passivity, or surprise.
4. Client-Centered Criminal Defense
Criminal-Defense Counsel Must Put the Client’s Interests First
The firm prepares criminal matters with the client’s lawful objectives in mind and may use available motions, subpoenas, hearings, and other procedures when supported by the facts and rules. Outcomes depend on the facts and governing law, and professional obligations govern every matter.
Criminal-Defense Experience in the Lehigh Valley
Case preparation grounded in the record, current law, and local procedure.
The criminal-defense attorneys in the Easton office handle matters in Northampton and Lehigh Counties and evaluate the motions, hearings, and defenses supported by each record. The description of past work is not a promise about any future case.
Criminal Court Process in Lehigh and Northampton Counties
A brief explanation of criminal-court hearings in Lehigh and Northampton Counties
Filing of Charges
Preliminary Arraignment
Preliminary Hearing
Formal Arraignment
Pre-Trial Motions & Hearings
Criminal Trial
Lehigh Valley Criminal Defense Attorney FAQs
General Questions Frequently Asked of Our Lehigh Valley Criminal Defense Lawyers
What is the difference between a Felony and a Misdemeanor in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania grades felonies and misdemeanors separately. Subject to offense-specific statutes, the maximum terms are 20 years for a first-degree felony, 10 years for a second-degree felony, and 7 years for a third-degree felony. The ordinary misdemeanor maximums are 5 years for an M1, 2 years for an M2, and 1 year for an M3. A third-degree felony is therefore a felony even though its maximum term is seven years. Federal statutes use context-specific definitions, so a single generic federal definition should not be substituted for Pennsylvania’s grading rules.
Can a criminal defense attorney promise any given outcome?
What is ARD?
ARD is a discretionary pretrial diversion program, not an automatic benefit and not a program that statewide rules categorically limit to first-time offenders. The statewide rules contemplate that participants ordinarily will be first offenders charged with relatively minor offenses, but expressly leave eligibility classes to prosecutorial and local policy. The district attorney generally decides whether to move for ARD, and the judge must approve admission. The charge, prior record, victim-related considerations, case facts, and county policies all may affect the decision. DUI ARD is also subject to the specific statutory exclusions in 75 Pa.C.S. § 3807.
Program conditions may include supervision, costs, classes, treatment, and community service. Successful completion ordinarily leads to dismissal of the charges and may permit expungement, subject to the applicable rules and statutes.
Do I need an attorney for ARD?
What are Federal Crimes?
How do I find a cheap defense attorney?
How do I choose a criminal defense lawyer?
Should I hire a local attorney or a "criminal defense lawyer" from Philadelphia?
Current County Criminal-Caseload Information
The AOPC’s dated county reports provide administrative context, not a prediction for an individual case.
The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts publishes annual county caseload and disposition reports. As of August 1, 2026, the latest complete AOPC county reports cover the 2024 court year and were published in 2025: Lehigh County and Northampton County. Categories and reporting periods must be read with the tables; a raw filing or disposition total does not predict the course or outcome of an individual case. The reports are administrative context, not a measure of defense quality, conviction risk, expected duration, or the value of a particular strategy.
Criminal Defense in Lehigh and Northampton Counties
Our Easton Criminal Defense Attorneys are here to help in Allentown, Easton & Bethlehem
Let our criminal-defense law office help you. Call: (484) 548-0529
Frequently asked questions
Can I be charged without being arrested?
Yes. Some cases begin with a summons or mailed complaint, while others involve an arrest and preliminary arraignment. The paperwork identifies the next required appearance and should be reviewed immediately.
Should I explain my side to police?
Do not assume an informal explanation is off the record or will end the investigation. A person can identify themselves and comply with lawful orders while requesting counsel before answering investigative questions.
What happens at a preliminary hearing?
The Commonwealth must present a prima facie case for charges to continue. It is not a guilt determination, but it may be important for testimony, bail, charge reduction, or later strategy.
Is ARD available for every first offense?
No. ARD is discretionary, and eligibility depends on the offense, prior history, facts, victim position where applicable, county requirements, and prosecutorial approval.
Does hiring counsel guarantee dismissal or a reduced charge?
No. Counsel can investigate, challenge unsupported evidence, negotiate, prepare for trial, and advise on risk, but an ethical legal service cannot promise a particular result.
Important: This page provides general information, not legal advice. Deadlines, procedures, eligibility, and potential outcomes depend on the specific facts and current law. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page.
About This Information
This page addresses Pennsylvania law and common practice in Northampton and Lehigh Counties. Court procedures, deadlines, and available remedies can change and may depend on the facts, the assigned judge, and the governing order. The linked official sources should be checked for later amendments, and advice should be based on the specific matter.