I was arrested, charged, cited, or summoned.
Gather the criminal complaint, citation, summons, bail papers, and court notices you have. Record the next court date and county if known.
Begin the criminal questionnairePENNSYLVANIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Protect Your Rights. Understand What Comes Next.
An arrest, criminal charge, investigation, or court notice can affect your freedom, reputation, employment, and future. Barchiesi Law PLLC helps people understand the allegations, the stage of the case, and the legal options that may be available.
Philadelphia-based criminal defense representation throughout Pennsylvania.
START WITH YOUR CURRENT SITUATION
You do not need to know every legal term before contacting the firm.
Begin with what you know: what happened, what documents you received, whether charges were filed, and the date of the next known proceeding. The appropriate response depends on the facts and procedural posture.
I believe I am under investigation.
Avoid guessing, deleting information, or discussing the matter publicly. If investigators request an interview, legal guidance before responding may be important.
Call before taking the next stepI am facing a DUI or driving-related charge.
Preserve paperwork concerning the stop, testing, release, license, and court date. A dedicated Pennsylvania DUI resource page is coming next.
Request a DUI consultationProtect the situation while seeking advice. Do not resist law enforcement, destroy or alter potential evidence, contact an alleged victim in violation of an order, or post details of the matter on social media. If questioned, you may clearly state that you wish to remain silent and want to speak with an attorney.
CRIMINAL MATTERS THE FIRM MAY EVALUATE
Defense requires attention to the facts, evidence, procedure, and consequences.
Every matter is different. The firm evaluates representation based on the allegations, location, stage of proceedings, deadlines, potential conflicts, and other circumstances.
DUI and Driving-Related Charges
Review of allegations involving impaired driving, testing, refusal issues, prior offenses, and related court or licensing concerns.
Drug Charges
Matters involving alleged possession, delivery, manufacturing, conspiracy, or other controlled-substance offenses.
Assault and Violence Allegations
Cases involving alleged assault, threats, physical injury, self-defense issues, or other allegations involving violence.
Theft and Property Offenses
Allegations involving theft, receiving stolen property, burglary, robbery, trespass, property damage, or related offenses.
Fraud and White-Collar Matters
Investigations or charges involving alleged fraud, financial conduct, business records, government enforcement, or parallel proceedings.
Firearm-Related Charges
Evaluation of charges involving possession, licensing, prohibited status, alleged use, or other firearm-related circumstances.
Probation or Parole Concerns
Matters involving alleged violations, detainers, revocation proceedings, new charges, or conditions of supervision.
Pre-Charge Investigations
Guidance for people contacted by investigators, served with a warrant or subpoena, or concerned that charges may be forthcoming.
Misdemeanor, Felony, and Complex Proceedings
Representation may involve preliminary hearings, arraignments, pretrial litigation, negotiations, trials, sentencing, appeals, or overlapping state, federal, business, civil, and immigration concerns.
This list is illustrative and does not guarantee that the firm will accept a particular matter. Contact the firm so the circumstances can be reviewed.
01Investigator
→
02Prosecutor
→
03Defense Counsel
A FULL-SPECTRUM PERSPECTIVE
Experience understanding how cases are investigated, prosecuted, and defended.
Robert C. Barchiesi II began his career as a sworn law enforcement officer and advanced into supervisory investigative roles. After becoming an attorney, he served in prosecutorial and policy-shaping positions before transitioning fully into defense practice.
Having worked on every side of the system—investigator, prosecutor, and defense counsel—he approaches each matter with an understanding of how the government may build its case and where careful scrutiny may matter.Learn more about Rob's professional background
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
A clear starting point for an uncertain situation.
The precise path depends on the court, charges, evidence, custody status, deadlines, and decisions made throughout the case. These are general stages, not a prediction of how any matter will proceed.
-
1
Share the available information.
Provide known allegations, documents, dates, custody information, and a safe way for the firm to contact you.
-
2
The firm conducts a preliminary review.
The team may identify missing information, approaching proceedings, potential conflicts, or questions requiring clarification.
-
3
Discuss possible next steps.
If a consultation is appropriate, the conversation may address the posture of the matter and potential paths based on the available information.
-
4
Representation requires a written agreement.
Submitting a questionnaire or speaking with the firm does not by itself establish an attorney-client relationship.
CRIMINAL AND IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES
If you are not a United States citizen, say so before resolving a criminal matter.
An arrest, charge, plea, or conviction may create immigration concerns depending on the offense and the person's history or status. Criminal and immigration consequences should be considered together before an important decision is made.
Explore immigration assistanceKNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Clear information before a difficult moment becomes more confusing.
The Barchiesi Law Know Your Rights series provides short, practical explanations about encounters with law enforcement, criminal cases, DUI concerns, immigration, and ICE detention. General information cannot replace advice based on your specific circumstances.
Watch the Know Your Rights SeriesCOMMON QUESTIONS
Questions people often have at the beginning.
These answers provide general information only. The appropriate response may be different based on the facts, jurisdiction, and stage of a case.
Should I speak with investigators before contacting a lawyer?
You generally do not have to answer investigative questions simply because an officer asks. You should not lie, resist, or interfere. You may clearly state that you wish to remain silent and want to speak with an attorney before answering questions.
What information should I have when I contact the firm?
Share your full name, safe contact information, the county involved, known allegations or charges, arrest or incident date, custody status, next court date, and the documents you received. Do not delay contacting the firm merely because something is missing.
Can the firm guarantee that charges will be dismissed?
No. No attorney can responsibly guarantee a result. Outcomes depend on the evidence, facts, law, procedural history, decisions of courts and other parties, and many circumstances outside an attorney's control.
Does completing the questionnaire make Barchiesi Law my attorney?
No. A submission allows the firm to conduct a preliminary review. Representation begins only after the firm agrees to accept the matter and a written engagement agreement is completed.
What if I have a court date or deadline soon?
Call the office promptly. Do not assume that submitting a form changes a hearing, filing deadline, bail condition, reporting obligation, or other requirement. Continue following existing court orders unless a court changes them.
TAKE AN INFORMED NEXT STEP
Tell the firm what happened and where the case stands.
Complete the criminal-defense questionnaire with the information you know, or call if the matter is urgent or a proceeding is approaching.
Important notice: This page provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing this website, contacting Barchiesi Law PLLC, or submitting an intake questionnaire does not create an attorney-client relationship, guarantee that the firm will accept a matter, or guarantee any outcome. Representation begins only after the firm agrees to accept the matter and a written engagement agreement is completed. Do not rely on an online submission to satisfy a court appearance, filing deadline, bail condition, reporting obligation, or other legal requirement.
Privacy Policy