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Hire a Philadelphia County Courthouse Attorney

Facing a serious court case can leave you feeling desperate, especially if your side of the story hasn’t been heard. You may wonder if the judge will make negative assumptions before hearing all the facts. Fortunately, a good Philadelphia County courthouse attorney can make sure that doesn’t happen.

A seasoned attorney will adamantly defend your rights and set the record straight. With over 40 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.

Philadelphia Criminal Cases

Two of the most common cases brought to court in Philadelphia each year are for drug and alcohol offenses. Driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance are charges that many people face both in Philadelphia and in the surrounding suburbs.

Thankfully, DUI numbers in Philadelphia are slowly decreasing despite rising rates across the state. According to PhillyVoice, “There were 3,621 DUI arrests in Philadelphia in 2015. By 2018, that number was down to 2,769. In 2019, there were 2,158 DUI arrests through the beginning of December.” Rideshare services are thought to be helping make this transition into more responsible drinking practices around the city.

Examples of common criminal charges in Philadelphia:

• Assault & Battery
• Disorderly Conduct
• Shoplifting
• Resisting arrest
• Vandalism

Criminal cases can be complicated for various reasons. In a physical altercation, one party may suffer more serious injuries even though each party may be responsible. In another instance, an arrest may occur without probable cause, but defendants must dispute this carefully and with strong evidence. Whether or not a defendant is facing their first offense may also weigh into the final verdict significantly.

Whether you or a loved one has been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony offense, the clock is ticking to get help. As your day in court approaches, having a Philadelphia criminal defense attorney on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

Philadelphia Personal Injury Cases

In densely populated areas like Philadelphia, accidents are sometimes unavoidable. According to PennDot, Philadelphians were involved in more than 11,000 auto accidents alone in 2019 – 13% of which resulted in injuries. For pedestrians and bicyclists, the risk of fatality was highest, showing just how high of a price individuals can pay in an unexpected accident. To make matters worse, hundreds of these accidents could’ve been prevented. Causes range from not wearing a seatbelt, to distracted and drunk driving in many Philadelphia accidents.

Whether you’ve been in a car accident or sustained an injury in some other way, you may not be at fault. Philadelphia civil claims court processes thousands of dollars in settlement money every year, awarding individuals for injuries they sustained as a result of someone else’s negligence.

Examples of personal injury cases include:

• Car, truck, or bus accidents
•  Bicycle or motorcycle accidents
• Slip and falls
• Medical malpractice
• Assault injuries
• Dog bites
• Wrongful death

In the aftermath of an accident, you may experience any number of complications such as needing physical therapy, needing surgery, and even grappling with PTSD from the trauma of the event. To fully recover from these and other complications, you need and deserve help. Not only are you entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, but also any medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses you incurred as a result of the accident. A personal injury attorney can help you illuminate all of the areas where you may be eligible for compensation and file an official claim to cover these costs.

Philadelphia Divorce Attorneys & Family Law Attorneys

Family issues can dominate our lives, especially when an issue remains unresolved for an extended period of time. Finding closure, safety, and peace of mind that you and your loved ones will be taken care of is top priority.

Family law covers a variety of issues including:

• Divorce
• Child support
• Child custody
• Alimony
• Domestic abuse
• Child abuse

In 2020, more than 58,000 divorces and annulments took place in Pennsylvania, with 1,194 of them occurring in Philadelphia. The filing fee for a divorce in Philadelphia is $333.73 though subsequent fees may accrue, especially in a contested divorce. Various elements can make your divorce case more or less complicated. These may include:

• how many assets must be divided
• the employment status of each individual
• any allegations of abuse
• whether there are children involved
• whether the divorce is no-fault or at-fault

Child support and child custody disputes represent another popular area of family law. In Philadelphia, court backlogs can leave families waiting months for their day in court, and this is sometimes the case with child custody disputes. Thankfully, the court system has made reforms to address this issue. In 2014, the PA Supreme Court moved three judges to the family court circuit to work through the influx of child custody cases.

Child support payments have historically been a point of contention between separated couples, and enforcing fair sharing of responsibility in the court system has been difficult. A US Census Bureau report showed billions of dollars in unpaid child support across the country. Only 43% of parents were estimated to receive the full amount of child support they were owed, and an astounding 30% failed to receive any support at all. In the eyes of the law, this is a clear injustice and a failure of the justice system itself. Thankfully, reforms are slowly being made and a staunch attorney can fight for your rights. In addition, families can play an active role in their case through the PA Child Support Program website.

When so much is on the line, you shouldn’t leave the outcome of your case to chance. It pays to work with a Philadelphia County courthouse attorney who has extensive experience in family law.

The Philadelphia Court System

Unlike most other counties in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia does not have its own magisterial district courts. Instead, the city has what is called municipal court with 27 elected judges. Criminal, civil, and traffic are the three divisions within the municipal court system.

The civil division handles all claims in which the amount disputed is $10,000 or less. The criminal division handles summary offenses and misdemeanor convictions, while felony cases are concluded at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The traffic division, which replaced Philadelphia Traffic Court in 2013, handles all violations of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.

While the court system is well organized, that doesn’t mean every trial is fair. The US spends less on public defense than every nation in Europe, which means many individuals fail to receive adequate defense, especially in densely-populated cities. Research by the Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that public defenders are often overloaded and have significantly less time than they would actually need to be effective in your case. If you are facing legal issues, don’t wait to reach out for help. A private Philadelphia County courthouse attorney will have more time to focus on your charges and ensure the best possible outcome.

Get in touch with our legal defense team to schedule a free consultation.