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25 Year Anniversary

Pennsylvania DUI, Criminal Defense, Traffic Ticket, and Bankruptcy Lawyer

Over 350 Five-Star Reviews from former clients

I am a Former Senior Deputy District Attorney with experience in over 10,000 criminal and traffic cases. My sole area of practice is defending DUI, Criminal and Traffic cases. I am not a general practitioner who handles many different types of law. I do one thing and I do it well. Call me for a free, in-depth consultation and I would be happy to answer every question that you have about your case. We have 25 office locations throughout Pennsylvania - please call for the nearest location and set up an appointment with a highly experienced former Prosecutor.

Areas of Practice Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

I wrote the book on DUI! Download my book for free, Pennsylvania DUI Arrest – Useful Info Revealed From a Former Prosecutor. Download the DUI Book

DUI is by far the most prevalent crime in the state of Pennsylvania. Nationally over one million people are arrested each year for DUI and over 50,000 are arrested in Pennsylvania alone. As a result, Pennsylvania has some of the harshest penalties in the country for DUI convictions, including possible mandatory jail time and lengthy license suspension if convicted of this crime.

The law sets three tiers of intoxication with the resulting penalties becoming more severe the higher the blood alcohol content (BAC) and if the individual has a prior record for DUI. The penalties can range from probation for a lowest level first offense DUI to one year or more in jail for a 3rd or subsequent offense. Additionally, DUI is considered a criminal offense in Pennsylvania and if you are convicted, it would remain on your record until age 70 before the case would be eligible for expungement.

A mandatory minimum sentence means that a judge has no discretion and must sentence the motorist to the mandatory minimum set by the legislature. Under the law, the judge cannot give less jail time, but he is free to give more than the minimum jail time. Whether the sentence is served on house arrest or work release is determined by the sentencing judge.

If you have been pulled over for Driving Under the Influence, it is extremely important that you contact an experienced, local attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.

First Time Offender Programs

Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) - Many of my clients are first time offenders who have never been in trouble before and are concerned about how a criminal case will affect their lives in the future. Luckily, Pennsylvania has programs for first time offenders which enables the individual to avoid jail time, avoid a possible license suspension and most importantly, avoid a criminal conviction on their record. If your case is a first offense and the accusation is for a non-violent offense, you may be eligible for the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program or another type of first time offender program.

First time offender programs are designed for people who are not criminals and are meant to get cases out of the criminal justice system that do not necessarily belong there. They are meant to teach regular people who made a mistake a lesson, and the hope is that they are never seen in the criminal justice system again. Most of these programs involve a period of probation, community service, DUI classes and treatment, and the payment of fines. Once all of the conditions are satisfied, the result is that the District Attorney drops the charges and you can then have it expunged off of your record.

The decision to place an individual into a first time offender program is left solely up to the county District Attorney’s office. County judges have no power to place someone into a program and as such, your attorney’s relationship with the local District Attorney’s office is of the utmost importance.

Traffic Offenses

Points Reduced or Your Money Back - Speeding, Stop Sign violations, Red Light violations and many other moving violations in Pennsylvania carry points on your license if you are found guilty. If you are convicted of certain traffic offenses, your license could be suspended, points could be assessed to your license, and your insurance premiums could increase as a result of the ticket. Some violations, such as Driving Under Suspension, carry mandatory jail time ranging from 30 days to 6 months in the county prison. If you have received a traffic ticket in Pennsylvania, you have 10 days to enter a plea of “Not Guilty” and you will then receive a notice from the local District Court with the court date. Most local District Judges will even permit your Pennsylvania traffic ticket attorney to appear on your behalf, so you might not even have to attend the hearing to get your points reduced.

Pennsylvania Points for Moving Violations

Money Back Guarantee – if we are unable to negotiate a reduction in points on your moving violation, we will refund the entire fee. We are the only firm that guarantees our work, so if we are unable to help reduce your points, you get your money back. Due to my experience as a former Senior Deputy District Attorney, I have a 99% success rate in reducing points on moving violations. Additionally, many local judges will allow us to appear in court on your behalf, so you might not even have to attend the traffic court hearing to get your points reduced.

Drug Offenses

Drug offenses are a common crime in Pennsylvania and include Drug Possession, Possession with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Prescription Fraud.

Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Small Amount of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia are “ungraded” misdemeanors with a maximum penalties of 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine. If convicted of drug possession in Pennsylvania, there is a mandatory 6 month driver’s license suspension for a first offense and a 1 year suspension for a second offense.

Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver is also known as drug trafficking. This is a Felony of the 3rd degree and carries up to 7 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines if convicted. The crime occurs if an individual delivers (sells, trades, gives) a Controlled Substance to another individual. Possession with Intent occurs when a delivery does not occur, but the facts and circumstances would lead one to believe the drugs were intended for sale.

Prescription Fraud is a crime that is on the rise due to the opioid crisis. This crime occurs when an individual forges a prescription or otherwise tries to obtain a prescription through fraudulent means. This crime is also a Felony of the 3 rd degree.

Expungement/Pardons

In Pennsylvania, a case is eligible for Expungement by a county judge only in limited situations. If you were found not guilty, if charges were dropped or if you completed a first time offender program then the case is eligible for expungement. If a Motion for Expungment is approved by the county judge, all evidence of your case will be destroyed, including your rap sheet, mug shot, fingerprints and physical court file.

If you were convicted or found guilty of a crime, Pennsylvania law does not permit Expungement until the individual turns 70 years of age. If you were convicted, the only way to remove it from your record would be to apply for a Governor’s Pardon in which the Board of Pardons reviews your case and determines if they will give you a hearing. At the hearing you would have to present evidence to convince the Board to recommend a pardon to the Governor, who would then have to sign the pardon.

For the past 25 years in practice I have handled all types of Felony and Misdemeanor cases. In my career as a prosecutor, I personally handled over 5,000 cases ranging from minor traffic offenses to criminal homicide. As a defense attorney now for over 20 years, I have helped thousands of clients navigate the criminal justice system. I have personally handled cases involving:

  • Assault
  • Burglary
  • Child Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
  • Forgery
  • Fraud
  • Internet Crimes
  • Juvenile crime
  • Murder
  • Possession of Child Pornography
  • Probation/Parole violations
  • Rape
  • Robbery
  • Sex offenses
  • Shoplifting
  • Theft
  • Traffic Offenses
  • Underage Drinking
  • White Collar Crime

Call or email me for a Free Consultation with a Pennsylvania criminal defense and traffic ticket lawyer for assistance with your case. I gladly talk to new clients over the phone and I would be happy to answer every question that you have, either over the phone, or in person if you prefer for free. I will explain all of your options, give you my honest opinion about what could happen to you and I will even quote you a fee and a flexible payment plan right over the phone because I believe that an informed client is the best client. We treat clients the way we would want to be treated if we were experiencing legal problems – with kindness, courtesy and respect. I believe that it is my experience and my approach to the way I practice law that separates me from other attorneys and the reason I have over 250 Five-Star reviews on Avvo.com. Choosing a defense attorney may be one of the most important decisions you ever make, so do your homework and choose wisely. I wish you the best of luck with your case.

Pennsylvania Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyer

Over 20 years experience assisting consumers to get a fresh financial start.

Stop Sign Stop Harassing Phone Calls
Stop Mortgage Foreclosure
Stop Repossessions
Stop Utility Shutoffs

Since 1999, I have assisted thousands of consumers wipe out their debt and make a fresh start. If you are receiving harassing phone calls from creditors, lawsuits or threats of wage garnishments, filing for Bankruptcy will STOP all creditors from contacting you. Bankruptcy will give you a new financial start, will allow you to reestablish your credit and will stop the harassment and other collection activity.

We understand that this is a stressful time in your life and filing for Bankruptcy is a decision not to be made lightly. Many clients are scared of filing for Bankruptcy and put off calling a lawyer. However, most of my clients end up telling me that “I wished I filed for Bankruptcy years ago.” Do not ignore your debt. Do something about it so you can get a fresh financial start and stop the harassing collection activity.

Our experienced attorneys have handled thousands of Bankruptcy cases over the past 20+ years in practice. Our fees as reasonable and we have a flexible payment plan. We treat clients the way we would want to be treated if we were facing legal problems - with kindness, understanding and respect.

Call the experienced attorneys at Ellis B. Klein & Associates and we would be happy to give you a free detailed consultation and show you how filing for Bankruptcy may be the right financial move to get you on your way to financial freedom.

Meet The Attorney
Attorney Ellis b. Klein
Ellis B. Klein

My name is Ellis B. Klein and I have been a Criminal Defense Attorney in Pennsylvania since 1994. After graduating law school, I was hired as an Assistant District Attorney where I rose to the level of Senior Deputy District Attorney. In the five years that I was a prosecutor, I prosecuted over 5,000 criminal cases ranging from minor traffic offenses to homicide. Now, as a defense attorney for over 20 years, I have helped over 5,000 clients navigate the legal system. My philosophy about the way I practice law is the same as what I tell my children - Treat people the way you wish to be treated. I treat my clients with honesty, kindness and respect and I feel that a good lawyer should be financially affordable. I charge a fair price for my services and flexible payment plans can be arranged.
I am proud to have received over 200 five-star reviews from former clients on the lawyer review site Avvo.com, but the reviews I am most proud of are from clients who wrote “Ellis made me feel like my case was our problem, not just mine” and “Ellis treated me like a friend and not just another client.” Call me for free in-depth consultation and experience a different breed of lawyer - one who actually cares about his clients.

Why Choose Us?
There are Many Lawyers to Choose From. Why Call Me?

My experience as a Senior Deputy District Attorney is what sets me apart from other defense attorneys. I have handled over 10,000 criminal and traffic cases and my experience permits me to examine the case from both sides to best represent my clients. Over the last 25 years in practice I have worked with hundreds of local police officers, and I have appeared before local county judges in thousands of cases. I know the local system and all of the tricks the police use to gain an advantage. Few attorneys possess my background and experience in this area of the law.

My sole area of practice is defending DUI, Criminal and Traffic cases. I am not a general practitioner who handles many different types of law. I am not a “jack-of-all-trades.” Criminal law has been my primary practice area since I became a lawyer over 25 years ago.

I treat clients the way I would want to be treated if I was experiencing legal problems – with honesty, kindness and respect. I do not tell clients what they want to hear just to get a case. I do not scare clients into retaining me. What I do is tell clients the truth, right over the phone. I call clients back, even at night or on weekends and I am almost always accessible for questions and concerns by phone, email or text.

Whomever you choose to represent you, do your homework. Ask questions and then ask more questions. Read reviews from former clients online on websites like Avvo.com. Get second opinions but be wary of lawyers who scare you into retaining them or who just tell you what you want to hear. You must be comfortable with your attorney and be certain that he has the experience to properly represent you in court.

Awards and Accolades: I have been rated as an “Excellent” attorney by the lawyer review website Avvo.com. I have over 200 Five-Star reviews from former clients on Avvo.com and have earned the prestigious Avvo “Client’s Choice Award”, as voted by my clients. You can review my profile and read reviews from former clients at www.Avvo.com. I have also been ranked as One of the Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Pennsylvania by the American Society for Legal Advocates and One of the 10 Best Attorneys in Pennsylvania for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of DUI Attorneys. I care about my clients and it shows in my reviews from former clients.

Call or email me for a free consultation and see for yourself how I am a different breed of lawyer.

Police Officer Testimonial

Mr. Klein,
We were both just involved in a Preliminary Hearing involving a DUI case for your client, confidential. As you are obviously aware, the matter went to a hearing at which I testified.

Far too often both the Police/Prosecution and Defense Counsel become lazy in their approach to Preliminary Hearings and Trials while the accused person's life hangs in the balance. I believe this erodes at the ideals laid out in the Constitution to include that an individual charged with a crime be afforded competent counsel. I believe it worth noting that you did an outstanding job advocating for your client today and I do not foresee that being any different in the future.

I do not believe in the "us versus them" mentality of the legal system, but instead believe that the proper execution of the law by Police and Prosecutors is no more important than a Defense Lawyer's duty to defend their client. It is on all of us to preserve and protect all individuals involved in a case. Thank you for expertly playing your part.

It was a pleasure having a hearing with you today. One thing is for certain, regardless of the outcome of this case: (Your client) will have an awful hard time raising an argument that he was not properly represented.

Thanks,

Sgt. confidential
confidential Police Department

Client Reviews
★★★★★
Ellis Klein is a terrific attorney who represented my son in a DUI case. Ellis was understanding and sympathetic yet very forthright regarding the seriousness of the issue. He was extremely knowledgeable of the process and kept us informed at every step. He had a very professional presence, was confident (but not arrogant) and kept us calm throughout a very traumatic situation. He was a critical factor in my son receiving the best possible outcome from this DUI event. John Doe
★★★★★
Recently Mr. Klein helped me out with a criminal charge in which the outcome was the best possible situation for me. Ellis worked with me as far as a payment plan, knew the judge and officer and I couldn't ask for anything more out of a lawyer. I'm very happy with his performance and would recommend him to anyone.. Jane Doe
★★★★★
Ellis literally gave me a new lease on life. I was facing a DUI, which would have affected my livelihood, my freedom and would have left me with a criminal record. Mr. Klein was able to have all the evidence suppressed by challenging the officer's cause for pulling me over. He was very thorough, leaving no stone unturned. His demeanor in court was confident and knowledgeable. He saved my reputation and my family from facing serious economic hardship. Thank You Anonymous
★★★★★
Ellis Klein served as my lawyer in a very difficult case that I was facing and with his help, the outcome of my case turned out wonderful. Mr. Klein helped me very much with his knowledge of my case. Thanks Ellis! Anonymous
★★★★★
Like many young adults, I made a bad decision that resulted in very serious consequences. I was afraid and nervous. Ellis was very straight-forward when he explained things to me, telling what the best outcome could be as well as the worst. Through his knowledge, professionalism, and legal reputation, my case was resolved with the best possible outcome. I advise my friends not to make the same mistake that I did, but if they do I will highly recommend Ellis. I feel like I have been given a second chance. Anonymous
Contact Us
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  2. 2 Available 24/7
  3. 3 Help With Bail

Fill out the contact form or call us at (800) 536-0501 to schedule your free consultation.