If you are accused of a violent crime in Bucks County or Montgomery County, you need a criminal defense attorney who can guide you through the situation you are facing right now. Speaking with a violent crime lawyer near you is the most practical step you can take to protect your future, your record, and your standing in the community.
At Penglase & Benson Inc., you work with former prosecutors and educators based in Doylestown who understand how violent crimes are investigated, charged, and proven in local courts. If your case began in Doylestown, Norristown, Hatboro, Abington, King of Prussia, or a nearby town, we can help you understand the legal process and prepare a focused defense. Contact our law office for a confidential, free consultation to discuss your criminal case and the next steps.
When Pennsylvania classifies your charge as a violent crime, the Commonwealth is saying that the criminal offense involves one or more of the following:
You may not have expected your case to be treated this way, especially if the incident felt limited or brief. Many clients first realize the charge is labeled as a violent crime only when they see the paperwork or hear it read at the district court.
Under Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, violent crimes are not restricted to the most severe situations. Your case can fall into this category even if the allegation involves conduct that seemed minor at the time, including a shove that caused pain, reckless behavior that created a risk of harm, or a verbal threat during an argument.
In some situations, simply possessing an object that can be treated as a deadly weapon during a dispute is enough for prosecutors to classify the incident as a violent crime.
If your case is filed in Bucks County or Montgomery County, prosecutors will examine specific elements before deciding how to charge the alleged offense:
Your preliminary hearing will focus on whether the Commonwealth has enough evidence to move the criminal case forward, not whether you are guilty. Understanding how violent crimes are evaluated in local courts gives you a clearer sense of what to expect and what needs attention as you take your next steps.
At Penglase & Benson Inc., you work with former prosecutors who have handled violent crimes from both sides of the aisle. We understand how these cases are built, how the evidence is evaluated, and what can be done to protect you as your criminal case moves through Bucks County or Montgomery County.
Here are the violent crime charges we often defend:
You may be facing this charge if police believe the incident caused serious bodily injury or involved a deadly weapon. These cases move quickly, and early review of witness statements and injury reports can change how the Commonwealth views the offense.
This charge often arises from brief disputes, arguments, or physical contact that escalated faster than expected. Many clients are surprised to learn that minor injury claims can still be treated as violent crimes under Pennsylvania law
Robbery is charged when force or the threat of force is alleged during a theft. The grading depends on whether a weapon was mentioned, whether anyone was injured, and how the interaction unfolded.
You may face this charge if someone claims you entered a building without permission while another person was inside. Prosecutors often focus on intent and the circumstances of the entry, so the details matter.
These cases often stem from statements made during heated moments. Whether a threat is considered a violent crime depends on how the words were interpreted and whether the Commonwealth can prove intent.
This charge is based on allegations of reckless conduct that created a risk of injury. Many cases involve misunderstandings or actions taken without intent to harm.
Police often file this charge when physical contact around the neck or throat is reported. The evidence must show the level of pressure, circumstances, and credibility of the statements involved.
Domestic cases frequently involve no-contact orders and immediate restrictions that affect daily life. Our role is to address how the incident is portrayed and protect your reputation and relationships.
You may face these charges if a firearm, knife, or other object was present during an altercation. The law does not require the weapon to be used, only that it was allegedly accessible or displayed.
Some sexual-offense cases include claims of force or threat of force, which classify them as violent crimes. These cases require careful analysis of the evidence, statements, and how the allegations were reported.
Violent crime cases often start with moments that escalate faster than anyone expected:
When Pennsylvania classifies your charge as a violent crime, the Commonwealth is saying that the criminal offense involves one or more of the following:
If this describes what happened to you, you may already feel how quickly everything becomes formal once the police file a report. From that point on, your case moves through a specific path in the local criminal justice system, and knowing these steps can help you understand what comes next.
Your preliminary hearing will focus on whether the Commonwealth has enough evidence to move the criminal case forward, not whether you are guilty. Understanding how violent crimes are evaluated in local courts gives you a clearer sense of what to expect and what needs attention as you take your next steps.
Local police forward their report to:
A prosecutor reviews the allegations, the level of bodily injury, any references to deadly weapons, and witness statements before deciding on the criminal offense to file.
You appear before a magisterial district judge in the township or borough where the incident occurred (for example, Doylestown, Warminster, Bensalem, Norristown, Lansdale, Abington, or King of Prussia). The judge sets bail and outlines your release conditions.
This hearing happens in the same district court. The judge looks at whether the Commonwealth can show:
Our lawyers question the Commonwealth’s witnesses, address how the incident is being described, and highlight gaps in the evidence that affect whether the case should move forward. This stage is often the point where experienced representation can narrow charges or position the case for a better outcome as it continues.
Our lawyers review discovery, negotiate with the prosecutor, evaluate witnesses, and prepare your defense strategy. The focus here is on identifying weaknesses in the Commonwealth’s evidence and presenting alternatives before the case reaches trial.
Your case may end through a negotiated outcome, a dismissed charge, or a trial before a judge or jury in the Court of Common Pleas. Understanding this sequence gives you a clearer view of where your case stands and what decisions come next. With that foundation in place, it becomes easier to understand the penalties connected to your violent crime charge under Pennsylvania law.
When you are charged with a violent crime in Pennsylvania, the penalties you may face depend on more than the name of the offense. Courts in Bucks County and Montgomery County look at four key factors to determine your exposure:
Understanding these pieces helps you see why two people charged with what seems like the same offense can face very different outcomes.
M3, M2, M1 (misdemeanors)
Threats, minor bodily injury, reckless conduct
Up to 1–5 years
Probation, counseling requirements, or diversion in limited cases
F3 (lower felony)
Bodily injury or conduct creating a significant risk
Up to 7 years
Negotiated reductions, probation in some cases, and short county sentences depending on criminal history
F2 (serious felony)
Serious bodily injury or a display of a deadly weapon
Up to 10 years
Guideline-driven sentences, state incarceration becoming more likely
F1 (highest felony)
Serious bodily injury with intent, deadly weapon used
Up to 20 years
State prison likely if convicted; extensive motions and negotiations required
Penalties can also include no-contact orders, firearm restrictions, supervision conditions, and other requirements that affect your day-to-day life while the case is pending.
When you contact Penglase and Benson Inc. after being accused of a violent crime, our focus is straightforward: protecting your freedom, your reputation, your criminal record, and the stability of your family and personal relationships.
Every decision we make with you is aimed at limiting the impact of the criminal charges and guiding your case through the criminal justice system with a strategy grounded in Pennsylvania law. Our criminal defense attorneys look at what the Commonwealth must prove and where the evidence falls short. From there, we identify the defenses that apply to your criminal case, including:
You will have a skilled criminal defense lawyer who understands how local prosecutors build violent crime cases and what can be done to defend you.
If you have been accused of a violent crime in Bucks County or Montgomery County, do not plead guilty before speaking with a criminal defense attorney who understands how these cases move through the local courts. A single conversation can clarify your options, protect your criminal record, and help you make decisions that preserve your future. Call our law office for a confidential, free consultation and speak with a skilled criminal defense lawyer who can guide you through the next steps in your criminal case.
Do not contact the alleged victim, do not discuss the incident online or by text, and do not make statements to police. These actions can affect bail, add new charges, or undermine your defense.
Most violent crime cases in Bucks and Montgomery Counties move fast, especially at the district court level. Early representation gives your lawyer time to review the complaint, address bail, and prepare for the preliminary hearing where the Commonwealth first presents evidence.
It depends on your bail conditions and the grading of the criminal offense. Many clients remain at home while their case moves forward, provided they follow the release terms set by the magisterial district judge.
They can be. Reductions often turn on issues such as the level of bodily injury, how intent is described, whether a deadly weapon was alleged, and whether the prosecution’s version of events is consistent with the evidence.
