A felony charge in Pennsylvania is a fork in the road. One path leads to prison time, a permanent record, and limits that follow you for years. The other path starts with a smart defense plan and a lawyer who is ready to fight from day one.
If you are reading this, you are likely scared, angry, or stunned. That is normal. What matters now is what you do next. We are Mooney Law, and we help people across Pennsylvania take control of their cases before the system controls them.
This page explains what a felony means in Pennsylvania, how the courts handle felony cases, what penalties you face, and how a Pennsylvania defense lawyer can protect your rights. We also explain how we defend felony cases and what you should do right now.
What Makes A Charge A Felony In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law divides crimes into summary offenses, misdemeanors, and felonies. Felonies are the most serious category. A charge is a felony when the law provides a maximum prison sentence of more than five years. Felonies are graded as first-, second, or third-degree. Some crimes are ungraded felonies that carry their own penalty ranges.
Felony Degrees And Maximum Penalties
Pennsylvania sets maximum prison terms and fines by felony grade. These are the standard caps for most felonies.
- Felony of the first degree: up to 20 years in prison
- Felony of the second degree: up to 10 years in prison
- Felony of the third degree: up to 7 years in prison
Pennsylvania also sets maximum fines.
- First or second degree felony: up to $25,000
- Third-degree felony: up to $15,000
Some crimes have mandatory minimum sentences, and some have higher limits under special statutes. Murder has separate rules and much higher exposure. Repeat violent offenses can also raise penalties.
These limits matter even if you are hoping for probation. Prosecutors use maximums as leverage in plea negotiations. Judges consider them at sentencing. We explain them clearly so you know what is at stake.
Common Pennsylvania Felony Charges We Defend
Felonies cover a wide range of allegations. Many people assume felonies mean only the most extreme crimes. In reality, everyday situations can trigger felony charges.
Violent Felonies
These include charges like aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, certain domestic violence cases, and homicide. For example, many aggravated assault charges are first or second-degree felonies depending on the alleged injury and circumstances.
Drug Felonies
Drug cases often become felonies based on quantity, prior record, or intent to deliver. Charges can include possession with intent to deliver, manufacturing, or trafficking. Pennsylvania drug felonies often depend on lab results, police procedure, and search legality.
Theft And Fraud Felonies
Theft becomes a felony when the value is high enough or when the law classifies the conduct as a felony. Identity theft, forgery, and certain financial crimes are often felonies.
Firearm And Weapons Felonies
Pennsylvania has strict rules on firearms possession for people with prior convictions, certain restraining orders, or specific locations. Felony gun charges also come up in cases involving alleged threats or use during another crime.
Sex Offense Felonies
Many sex related charges are graded as felonies and may require registration under Megan law if there is a conviction. These cases move fast and can ruin reputations before trial. Early defense is critical.
If you are not sure whether your charge is a felony, bring your paperwork to us. We will explain the grade and what it means for your future.
How Felony Cases Move Through Pennsylvania Courts
Understanding the timeline helps you make better choices. Most felony cases follow a predictable path, though counties can vary in how they schedule cases.
Preliminary Arraignment
After an arrest or a summons, you will appear before a Magisterial District Judge. You will be told the charges and your rights. The judge sets bail and schedules a preliminary hearing.
Preliminary Hearing
This is a key moment. The Commonwealth must show a prima facie case, meaning enough evidence to move forward. The judge does not decide guilt here. Still, a strong preliminary hearing can lead to dismissal, reduced charges, or a better plea position. You can also waive this hearing, but we rarely recommend a waiver without a clear strategic reason.
Transfer To the Court Of Common Pleas
If charges are held for court, your case moves to your county Court of Common Pleas. Counties include places like Dauphin, Cumberland, York, Lancaster, Allegheny, and Philadelphia. Each county has its own local rules and the District Attorney’s practices.
Discovery And Pretrial Motions
We review police reports, video, forensic results, witness statements, and prior record scoring. We file motions to suppress evidence when police violate the Constitution. Many felony cases turn on issues of search and seizure or unreliable identification.
Plea Negotiations Or Trial
Many felonies are resolved through negotiated pleas. But a plea only helps if it fits your goals and avoids long-term damage. We prepare every case for trial. Prosecutors negotiate differently when they know we can win at trial.
Sentencing
Pennsylvania uses sentencing guidelines based on offense gravity score and prior record score. Judges can depart, but guidelines shape most outcomes. We argue for mitigation, alternatives to incarceration, and, when possible, treatment-based paths.
What A Felony Conviction Can Do To Your Life
People focus on jail risk, but felonies affect almost every corner of life. A conviction can lead to:
- Loss of firearm rights
- Limits on voting while incarcerated
- Barriers to jobs, housing, and school programs
- Professional license problems
- Immigration consequences for non citizens
- Child custody and family court impacts
- Travel limits and parole requirements
Even if you avoid prison, a record can close doors for a long time. That is why we treat felony defense as future protection, not just courtroom work.
What To Do If You Are Charged With A Felony In Pennsylvania
The first steps matter a lot. Here is what we tell clients to do right away.
- Do not talk to police or investigators without a lawyer present
- Do not discuss the case on social media or in text messages
- Save phone records, photos, receipts, and any messages tied to the incident
- Write down your memory of events while it is fresh
- Make a list of witnesses with contact information
- Show up to every court date on time
- Call a criminal defense attorney in Pennsylvania as soon as possible
Silence is not weakness. It is protection. Police reports often contain statements that hurt a defense later. Let your Pennsylvania defense attorney speak for you.
How We Build A Strong Felony Defense
There is no one size plan. Still, most winning felony defenses start with four moves: break the narrative, test the evidence, attack the procedure, and build your story.
Break The Narrative Early
Prosecutors love clean stories. We look for the messy parts. Missing context, alternative suspects, self defense facts, or reasons a witness is not reliable. We bring those issues into the case early, not as an afterthought.
Test The Evidence
Felony cases often rely on evidence that feels solid until it is examined.
- Video that is unclear, edited, or missing key moments
- Forensic results with chain of custody gaps
- Lab testing errors in drug cases
- Cell phone data that is misread
- Eyewitness claims that shift over time
We use experts when needed and cross-examine the state witnesses thoroughly.
Attack Illegal Searches And Seizures
Many felonies start with traffic stops, home searches, or phone searches. If police lacked probable cause, exceeded a warrant, or coerced consent, evidence can be suppressed. Without evidence, cases collapse. Even when they do not collapse, suppression pressure often forces better plea offers.
Build Your Story For Court
Jurors and judges need facts, but they also need to understand you. We gather work history, family facts, treatment records, military service, and community ties. This is not about excuses. It is about showing the full truth of your life so the court sees more than a charge.
Why Local Knowledge Matters In Pennsylvania Felony Defense
Pennsylvania has 67 counties. The same felony can play out differently in different places.
- Bail practices vary by county and judge
- Plea policies depend on the local District Attorney’s office
- Treatment court access differs from one county to another
- Jury pools and trial scheduling are not the same statewide
We handle cases across Pennsylvania. We know how Dauphin County handles drug felonies differently from how Cumberland does. We know how York County approaches violent felony pleas compared to Lancaster. This local awareness helps us predict what the Commonwealth will do and plan ahead.
What You Should Expect From Our Firm
You deserve clarity, speed, and honesty. Here is what we deliver.
- A fast, detailed case review
- Straight answers about risk and options
- A plan for the preliminary hearing and bail strategy
- Regular updates from us, not silence
- Trial ready preparation on every case
- Respect for your goals, not just the case file
When we take a felony case, we take it personally. We know your family, job, and future are on the line.
How A Pennsylvania Felony Defense Lawyer Helps You Right Now
People sometimes wait because they feel hopeless, or they want to see what happens first. That delay usually hurts. Here is what a Pennsylvania felony defense lawyer can do immediately.
- Argue for lower bail or non-monetary conditions
- Preserve video or digital evidence before it is erased
- Speak to witnesses while memories are fresh
- Request discovery early and spot gaps
- Keep you from making statements that harm your case
- Start negotiation from a position of strength
Even two weeks can change a case. We prefer to be involved on day one.
Pennsylvania Felony Defense Questions We Hear Every Week
Can A Felony Be Reduced To A Misdemeanor
Yes, sometimes. Reduction depends on the facts, the strength of the evidence, and your prior record. We look for grading issues, weak proof, and legal defenses that force prosecutors to reconsider the charge level.
Will I Go To Prison On A First Felony
Not always. Some first-time felony cases qualify for probation, county intermediate punishment, or treatment programs. Mandatory minimums can change that. We look for lawful paths around prison, and we fight to avoid a conviction when possible.
Should I Take A Plea Deal
Only after a full evidence review. Some pleas are smart. Some are traps. We will explain what you gain and what you give up in plain language.
How Long Does A Felony Case Take
Felony cases often take months, sometimes longer, depending on the county and case type. Speed matters, but so does strategy. We push hard for efficient progress without rushing into bad deals.
What If I Am Innocent, But The Evidence Looks Bad
Evidence that looks bad at first can be beaten. Video can be incomplete. Witnesses can be wrong. Police can overcharge. Our job is to dig until the truth is clear and usable in court.
Take The Next Step With Mooney Law
A felony charge is serious, but it is not the end of your story. The system may feel loud and unstoppable right now. You still have control, and the right defense changes everything. If you need a Pennsylvania felony defense lawyer, we are ready to help. We serve clients across the state, and we know how Pennsylvania courts work in real life, not just on paper.
Call Mooney Law today to talk about your charge. We will listen, explain your options, and start building a defense that protects your freedom and your future.