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Hire a Northampton County Courthouse Attorney

Legal problems can leave you feeling distraught, especially if you feel that your rights are under attack. You may wonder when you’ll get the chance to defend yourself. This is why it’s crucial to hire a Northampton County courthouse attorney to work by your side.

A competent lawyer will know the laws surrounding your charges and how to handle the case. With 50 years of experience, Attorney Michael H. Applebaum has represented thousands of clients and spent countless hours on criminal, personal injury, and family law cases. He knows the law and cares deeply about the wellbeing of his clients. From the start of your case until the very end, Applebaum & Associates will be there.

Northampton County Criminal Cases

The Northampton Court of Common Pleas is located at 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042. This level of the court system handles all criminal prosecutions including misdemeanor and felony charges for both adults and youth.

Misdemeanors such as drug and alcohol offenses, shoplifting, and simple assault along with felonies such as murder, rape, and kidnapping begin in district court and proceed to the Court of Common Pleas if charges are not dismissed.

Juvenile crimes are managed by the juvenile division of the Northampton court system. Defendants under 18 may be sent to the Juvenile Justice Center in Easton by a probation officer, or they may be admitted to a treatment program by a judge’s ruling. Juveniles may file a motion for expungement through their attorney or probation officer if they have followed through with the rehabilitation process. The court will consider a variety of factors when determining whether or not to expunge a delinquent act from a minor’s record. This may include the length of time that has passed, the type of crime, the age of the individual, and any drug or alcohol history.

All preliminary hearings and arraignments are held in one of 14 Northampton magisterial district courts. District courts provide individuals with an opportunity to exercise their legal rights and defend themselves with the help of a lawyer. If there is any speculation that the charges against you are unlawful or inaccurate, this is the time to address it.

If there is sufficient evidence incriminating the defendant, both misdemeanor and felony cases will proceed to the Court of Common Pleas where the final verdict and sentencing will be determined. First-time offenders who have engaged in non-violent crimes are frequently eligible for alternative programs that are geared toward rehabilitation rather than punitive justice. If you are not a first-time offender, it’s especially crucial to get in touch with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer who can assess your case.

Northampton County Divorce Attorneys & Family Law Attorneys

The Court of Common Pleas also handles family matters such as divorce, child custody disputes, alimony, and child support requests.

If filing for divorce, it is important to understand what type of divorce you are requesting before filing the paperwork. These include:

Uncontested – In an uncontested divorce, each party agrees to amicably negotiate the terms of the separation. The intervention of the court system is not needed to determine child support, child custody, or the division of assets. The value of this option is that each party saves money on legal fees and avoids the stress of ongoing conflict. An uncontested divorce is typically finalized much faster.

Contested – In a contested divorce, there is enough disagreement that a judge must decide on the terms of the separation. This frees each individual from having to handle everything themselves, but typically costs more money and time on average. Contested divorces may create more strife, but may also help each party ensure that the terms are fair.

No-Fault – In a no-fault divorce, there need not be consent from both parties. There is no examination of who caused the divorce, which allows both individuals to retain their privacy. However, a no-fault divorce may also mean that no consideration is given to things like adultery, which may impact one spouse disproportionately.

At-Fault – In an at-fault divorce, each party gets the opportunity to air their grievances and one party may be held more responsible for the separation. This may impact the terms of the divorce, including how child support and alimony payments are disbursed. Pennsylvania courts will hear both at-fault and no-fault divorce cases, unlike many other states.

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Northampton County Personal Injury Cases

In Pennsylvania, a magisterial district court will handle civil law cases in which the damage compensation sought is under $12,000. If more than 12,000 is sought, a personal injury case or other civil claim will be handled by The Court of Common Pleas. Examples of civil law cases include:

Real estate disputes
Car accidents
Slip and falls
Medical malpractice
Breach of contract
Property damage
Defamation of character

If you were injured in a vehicle collision, slip and fall, or other accident in which you were not at fault, a personal injury lawyer can help you defend your rights.

The first and most important step in any injury case is seeking medical treatment. Whether you head to the emergency room, visit your family doctor, or schedule an appointment with a specialist, having medical documentation of your injury is key. This shows both the judge and jury that the victim took their injury seriously. A medical professional’s opinion is more legitimate than a simple claim that you were injured.

The victim’s lawyer will examine their claim, help them gather the necessary evidence, and develop a litigation strategy that is most likely to win. At this stage, negotiations may begin with the other party’s lawyer or insurance company. The party who is responsible for the injury is required to respond to a formal demand letter within 30-60 days to avoid further legal repercussions. Although it is possible to ignore or immediately reject the injury victim’s demand letter, it is rare and unwise to do so. Many injury cases are settled out of court, but if negotiations stall, the victim has the right to file a lawsuit against the party they deem to be at fault.

Most often, the victim’s lawyer and the other party’s lawyer will negotiate a fair settlement. This is a much more complex process when the injury is difficult to prove. For example, there may be ample evidence of a car wreck that caused a person severe injuries. However, it may be harder to prove that a chronic pre-existing condition was worsened by a particular medication prescribed by a doctor. Similarly, proving negligence of another driver in a car wreck may be easier than proving that a doctor’s actions should legally be considered negligent. A Northampton County courthouse attorney can walk you through the many obstacles that might arise during your court case.

The Northampton County Court System

There are 14 magisterial district courts in Northampton County with 439 active judges. If you were arrested, involved in an accident, or charged with a traffic crime, your case may be assigned to the courthouse closest to where the incident occurred. Northampton district courts hear an average of 70,000 cases per year and handle matters such as: