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Hire a Lehigh County Courthouse Attorney

There are two sides to every story, and if your court case is approaching, it’s important to tell yours. Legal proceedings can be incredibly overwhelming, especially if you have little knowledge of the court system. That’s why it’s critical that you hire an experienced Lehigh County courthouse attorney to represent you.

A skilled lawyer will remain calm, gather the facts, and help you defend your rights. With 50 years of experience, Attorney Michael H. Applebaum has represented thousands of clients and worked countless hours on criminal, personal injury, and family law cases. He knows the law and cares deeply about the progression of his clients’ lives. Applebaum & Associates is a team of legal experts who will walk you through your case from start to finish.

Lehigh County Criminal Cases

A criminal conviction can rock your sense of safety and stability, leading to a slew of problems you never hoped to encounter. Unfortunately, many people end up in this position whether they are guilty of the charges against them or not. In 2019, more than 4,000 criminal cases were recorded in Lehigh County, more than 200 were reopened, and another 1,286 were pending investigation.

Fortunately, there is an upside to all of these charges. First-time offenders were responsible for 34% of cases, all of which resulted in admittance to a diversion program. A diversion program offers an alternative to criminal charges if first-time offenders are willing to agree to the terms and complete the steps required. In this case, the defendant’s lawyer negotiates with the prosecution to prevent criminal charges from being placed on an otherwise clean record. Diversion programs offer a second chance to minor offenders who are otherwise law-abiding citizens.

Juvenile cases are handled by the Lehigh Juvenile Court Division. Juveniles who are detained at the detention facility will undergo a hearing within 72 hours to determine the best course of action. Depending on the severity of the crime, a juvenile may be detained or released to their parents. The Juvenile Probation Department manages those between the ages of 10 and 18 with an emphasis on rehabilitation and accountability. Factors like drug and alcohol use and mental health conditions are taken into account when determining the placement of juvenile offenders. Lehigh is an active participant in Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy (JJSES), an initiative designed to enhance mental health outcomes and address the disproportionate involvement of minority youth in the justice system.

Whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony charge, a Lehigh County courthouse attorney can make sure your sentence isn’t as harsh as it could be. Local attorneys are often acquainted with courthouse judges and can tell you what to expect should your case be determined by a judge or jury. In other instances, they can negotiate on your behalf and potentially avoid a lengthy criminal case altogether.

Lehigh County Divorce Attorneys & Family Law Attorneys

Every year, hundreds of families in Lehigh County enter the court system hoping to find resolve around some type of family issue. These issues include:

• Divorces & annulments
• Child custody disputes
• Child support disputes
• Domestic violence
• Child abuse claims

For every 465 residents in Lehigh, 1 will file for a divorce, which can often entail a child custody battle along with it. Thankfully, child custody cases don’t always have to go to trial, and children need not be in limbo long-term. In 2018, 58% of new cases in Lehigh were settled in custody conferences, 34% were settled in other dispositions, and only 8% were decided by a trial judge, which typically takes the longest amount of time.

In a quiet neighborhood, it can be hard to imagine that family abuse is happening behind closed doors. Sadly, this is sometimes the case. In 2019, Lehigh County saw more than 2,000 Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders. A PFA can be filed by an adult on their own behalf, or by a parent on behalf of their child. In these cases, it is important to document any proof that abuse has occured.

If you are facing a family issue. It can be easy to feel like you are lost in the shuffle of hundreds of other cases. It may seem like the court system doesn’t have time to adequately address your needs. This is why a family law attorney is an invaluable resource when you are going through a difficult legal situation. An experienced attorney can tell you how cases like yours are typically handled and how to position yourself for a successful case.

Lehigh County Personal Injury Cases

At first glance, personal injury claims can seem like the less serious side of the law. But anyone who has been in an accident knows how dire the circumstances can be. Suffering an injury at the hands of someone else’s negligence can leave you feeling angry, helpless, and worried about your financial stability. Furthermore, you may be swimming in medical bills and missing time at work, which could impact your entire future.

In Lehigh County, injury claims are handled by the civil court division, which handles a variety of cases including:

• Property damage
• Debt lawsuits
• Medical malpractice
• Slip & falls

The civil court division offers assistance through the Lawyer Mediation Program. In this program, parties involved in civil claims can try to settle their case before trial with the help of a volunteer mediator, who sets a date and time for negotiations. Both parties, including each party’s lawyer will attend the session in an attempt to work out a fair settlement. The mediator will then submit a report to the appointed judge of the case. If an agreement is reached, there is no need for a trial and the victim may receive their settlement money much sooner.

A Lehigh County courthouse attorney can help you determine how much compensation you may be entitled to. They can assist you in identifying economic and non-economic damages so you can come up with an appropriate settlement amount to request in negotiations. Fortunately, personal injury cases settle out of court more often than not. This allows both parties to avoid excessive legal fees and put the case behind them sooner.

The Lehigh County Court System

There are 14 magisterial district courts in Lehigh County, one of which will hear your case. Whether you are being charged with a crime, going through a divorce, contesting a traffic violation, or experiencing another legal issue, district court is usually the place to start. As your case progresses, it may be transferred to the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas, located at 455 Hamilton St, Allentown, PA 18101. This level of the Pennsylvania court system handles many facets of the law including:

• Adult and juvenile criminal cases
• Property and injury lawsuits
• Divorces
• Child support and custody issues
• Probation
• Domestic violence

If you are seeking advice or representation as you navigate a tricky legal situation, a Lehigh County courthouse attorney is the first person to contact. With similar cases under their belt, an attorney can weigh in on your situation and prepare you for all possible outcomes.

Contact Attorney Michael Applebaum to set up a free legal consultation.