Criminal & DUI Defense Lawyer

Our Promise to Every Client

Even though you have been charged with a crime, that does not make you a criminal. You have a right to defend yourself to protect your rights and your future. Our Chester County criminal defense attorneys promise to protect everything you have built and worked tirelessly to earn.

Let us work with you to fight for the justice you deserve. Our Oxford criminal defense attorneys can review your case, walk you through your legal options, and fight to ensure that your life is not defined by one mistake or legal misunderstanding.

An Oxford Criminal Defense Attorney for You

Before he opened the Skinner Law Firm, Michael J. Skinner worked as a Assistant District Attorney in Chester County. As an accomplished criminal defense lawyer, Mike uses his experience and insight into the prosecutor’s playbook to fight for anyone accused of a crime.

Our Criminal Defense Services in Oxford, PA

At Skinner Law Firm, we offer comprehensive legal services for anyone facing criminal charges around Oxford. Our attorneys’ knowledge of Pennsylvania’s justice system and the criminal process is invaluable to our clients.

We defend cases involving:

Driving Under the Influence

DUI convictions can have serious penalties, like jail time, license suspensions, and steep fines. An experienced DUI attorney, however, may identify flaws in the prosecution’s case and help you build a defense to potentially prevent a conviction.

Drug Crimes

Drug charges, like possession, use, trafficking, or manufacturing, can lead to prison sentences and other lasting consequences. A drug defense lawyer can help you fight to dismiss your case, get your charges reduced, or seek enrollment in a diversion program to aid recovery.

Weapons & Firearms Charges

You might have the right to own firearms under Pennsylvania law, but you must follow strict regulations. If you’re accused of abusing your gun ownership rights, you could go to jail or lose your right to own firearm, making it critical to have knowledgeable legal assistance like a gun charge defense lawyer.

Violent Crimes

Violent crime charges, whether for assault, domestic disputes, or more serious offenses, often have significant consequences. A violent crimes defense lawyer in Oxford can help you work on lessening, dropping, or dismissing exaggerated or unfounded charges.

Property Crimes

Arson, burglary, or trespassing are examples of property crimes, which can have steep penalties. Minor infractions may have serious effects, and a property crime defense lawyer in Oxford can help protect you by fighting for reducing or dismissing charges.

Theft Charges

Theft allegations, which range from shoplifting to fraud, can hurt your reputation and lead to jail. A Oxford, PA theft crime lawyer can seek to have charges dismissed, reduced, or explore alternatives like diversion programs.

Federal Charges

Federal charges typically involve offenses across state lines or on federal property, such as drug and financial crimes, with strict sentencing requirements. A Pennsylvania federal defense attorney may challenge the case, minimize penalties, and potentially avoid trial.

Have You Been Accused of a Crime?

No matter the allegations you face, we can help guide you through the criminal process, from your arraignment to the final sentencing. We are here to serve the Oxford area.

The Pennsylvania Criminal Justice Process

• Preliminary Arraignment: After arrest, you’ll appear before a judge, who will explain your rights, read the complaint, set bail, and schedule a preliminary hearing. If you receive a summons by mail, arraignment and hearing occur together.
• Preliminary Hearing: In district court, the prosecutor presents evidence suggesting a crime occurred and you were involved. The burden of proof is lower here than at trial, so if not met, some or all charges may be dismissed.
• Formal Arraignment: Charges are formally presented in a document called the “Information.” You’ll enter a plea of “guilty” or “not guilty.”
• Pre-Trial Motions: During discovery, your defense reviews evidence from the prosecutor, including reports and statements. Pre-trial motions may challenge evidence, identify errors, or resolve legal issues, potentially affecting what evidence is allowed at trial or leading to a case dismissal.
• Status Conference: Your attorney, the judge, and prosecutor meet to discuss case readiness, possible settlements, or plea options. If unresolved, the case proceeds to trial.
• Trial: The Commonwealth must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. You may choose a jury trial or judge-only trial, where each side presents evidence, witnesses, and arguments.
• Entering a Guilty Plea: Plea bargaining may allow you to plead to a lesser charge, with more serious charges dropped, potentially leading to a more lenient sentence, like probation instead of jail.
• Sentencing: After a “Guilty” verdict or plea, sentencing follows Pennsylvania’s guidelines, considering factors like weapon use or lack of prior offenses.

Court Resources & Information

Knowing where you can find more information about the Chester County justice system is crucial. You will be able to do some research on your own or be better informed once you hire an Oxford criminal defense attorney.

Magisterial Court — District Court 15-3-05

The magisterial court will be where your criminal proceedings begin after your arrest. You can check your summons for information about your preliminary arraignment and hearings, or coordinate with your defense attorney.

Judge Scott A. Massey
305 South Third Street
Oxford, PA 19363

Phone: 610-455-1160

This court serves the borough of Oxford and the townships of Penn, Elk, East Nottingham, West Nottingham, Upper Oxford, Lower Oxford, and New London.

The criminal proceedings are held on Tuesday.

Chester County Common Pleas Court

This is the general jurisdiction trial court in Chester County, located in West Chester. This court hears a wide range of legal cases, including adult and juvenile criminal prosecutions. This is where you will appear with your criminal defense attorney for your pre-trial motions, trial, and sentencing.

Ann Marie Wheatcraft, President Judge
201 West Market Street
West Chester, PA 19380

Phone: 610-344-6000

Assorted Court Resources

Chester County’s court page also offers more links to better connect you with the services within the Chester County justice system.

You can find more information about the courts, court staff, where to pay court fees, the legal library, and more.

Your Oxford defense attorney can help you answer your questions, but these links can provide you with better insight into the criminal defense process.

Mike Skinner is On Your Side

When you need to fight a criminal charge, you may feel like your situation is hopeless. But you are innocent until proven guilty, and with the right Oxford criminal defense attorney, you can fight to have your charges reduced or dismissed.

Experience and knowledge of Pennsylvania criminal laws are critical, but it also takes an experienced Chester County attorney who believes in you and is ready to fight for your future. You need to a criminal defense lawyer who is willing to explore your case and help you establish a plan to fight your charges, making you their main priority.

That attorney is Mike Skinner. His team understands how disruptive criminal charges can be. Hiring a Chester County criminal attorney is an investment to protect your life and everything you can still accomplish. We will listen to your story and guide you to a solution that secures your future.