An Arrest Does Not Determine the Outcome
A criminal accusation can affect your freedom, employment, family, and reputation before the case is resolved.
You may feel pressure to explain yourself, accept a plea quickly, or assume that nothing can be done because police have already filed charges.
Grace Legal Offices helps people facing criminal allegations in Lebanon understand the charges, court process, and possible defenses.
Kathleen Gadalla founded the firm to provide direct, client-centered representation. Our attorneys examine the evidence rather than assuming that the police report tells the entire story.
Need an advocate to protect you or a loved one's legal rights? Contact Grace Legal Offices today for a free consultation.
Criminal Court in Lebanon
Criminal cases may begin before a Magisterial District Judge and later proceed to the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas.
The Lebanon County Clerk of Courts is the chief filing office for criminal and juvenile matters. Court offices are located in the Lebanon County Municipal Building at 400 South Eighth Street.
A case may involve:
- Preliminary arraignment
- Bail
- Preliminary hearing
- Formal arraignment
- Pretrial conferences
- Discovery
- Evidentiary motions
- Plea negotiations
- Trial
- Sentencing
Each stage has different purposes, deadlines, and risks.
Criminal Defense Services
Grace Legal Offices represents Lebanon clients facing:
- DUI
- Drug possession and distribution
- Assault and aggravated assault
- Strangulation
- Harassment
- Disorderly conduct
- Theft and retail theft
- Burglary
- Firearm offenses
- Sex crimes
- Property offenses
- Juvenile allegations
- Probation violations
- PFA-related charges
- State and federal offenses
A conviction may have consequences beyond jail, probation, or fines. It can affect employment, licensing, housing, education, immigration status, firearm rights, and driving privileges.
The Right to Remain Silent
People often believe they can talk their way out of an accusation. Unfortunately, even truthful statements can be misinterpreted or used to strengthen the investigation.
If police want to question you:
- Remain respectful
- State that you want an attorney
- Exercise your right to remain silent
- Do not consent to a search without legal advice
- Do not lie or provide false information
- Do not destroy or conceal evidence
You do not need to prove your innocence during a police interview.
Search-and-Seizure Issues
The Fourth Amendment protects people against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Depending on the case, a defense lawyer may ask:
- Did police have a lawful reason for the stop?
- Was the person detained longer than permitted?
- Was there probable cause?
- Was a search warrant valid?
- Did police search beyond the warrant’s scope?
- Was consent freely and voluntarily given?
- Were statements obtained lawfully?
When evidence is obtained in violation of constitutional protections, the defense may seek to suppress it.
Need an advocate to protect you or a loved one's legal rights? Contact Grace Legal Offices today for a free consultation.
DUI Charges
Pennsylvania DUI penalties may depend on the alleged substance, test results, prior offenses, an accident, injuries, or other facts.
A lawyer may review:
- The basis for the traffic stop
- Police observations
- Field sobriety tests
- Breath-testing procedures
- Blood-draw procedures
- Laboratory testing
- Chain of custody
- Medical conditions
- Alleged refusal
- Diversion eligibility
A chemical test is important evidence, but it is not the only evidence that should be examined.
Assault Allegations
Assault cases often involve conflicting accounts.
The defense may evaluate:
- Who initiated the confrontation
- Whether the client acted in self-defense
- Whether another person was being protected
- The cause and severity of an injury
- Witness credibility
- Video or photographic evidence
- Prior statements
- Motives to exaggerate or make a false accusation
When an assault allegation is connected to a PFA, custody dispute, or household conflict, the criminal and family-law consequences may overlap.
Preliminary Hearings
At a preliminary hearing, the Commonwealth generally must present enough evidence to establish a prima facie case.
The defense may use the hearing to:
- Question witnesses
- Challenge insufficient evidence
- Preserve testimony
- Identify inconsistencies
- Seek dismissal or reduction
- Learn more about the prosecution’s theory
A preliminary hearing should not be waived without understanding the strategic consequences.
Honest Advice and Determined Advocacy
Grace Legal Offices has received recognition for criminal defense and client satisfaction. Clients frequently describe our attorneys as knowledgeable, professional, responsive, and compassionate.
An ethical attorney cannot guarantee the outcome of a criminal case. Effective representation instead requires careful preparation, candid advice, and a strategy tailored to the evidence and the client’s goals.
Need an advocate to protect you or a loved one's legal rights? Contact Grace Legal Offices today for a free consultation.
Speak With a Lebanon Criminal Defense Attorney
Do not wait until the day before court to learn what the charges mean.
Contact Grace Legal Offices to schedule a consultation about an arrest, DUI, drug allegation, assault charge, investigation, or other criminal matter in Lebanon.
Lebanon County identifies its Clerk of Courts as the chief filing office for criminal and juvenile matters. The county court operates from 400 South Eighth Street in Lebanon.