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Protecting Your Mental Health During Trial
When you are arrested in Pennsylvania, it is normal to feel like your world is crashing down. The time between your arrest and your court date is a highly stressful “waiting game” that can cause a silent mental breakdown. As a criminal defense lawyer, Michael Kotik knows that fighting for your freedom takes a heavy
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Pennsylvania Traffic Stops
You and a few buddies are taking a road trip across the Pennsylvania Turnpike for a weekend getaway in the Poconos. You are sitting in the back seat, just listening to music, when the driver gets pulled over for speeding. The police officer claims to smell marijuana and demands to search the car. Hidden inside
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Selecting a Criminal Lawyer
When individuals search for a criminal lawyer in Pennsylvania, they often concentrate on pricing, billboard ads, or office locations. However, the crucial question is finding the right criminal defense attorney suited for your specific situation. Michael Kotik believes that a defense lawyer’s quality is anchored in their preparation, hands-on experience, and unwavering commitment to the
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Criminal Conviction in PA or NJ?
A criminal conviction in Pennsylvania or New Jersey can feel final — but in many cases, it is not the end of your legal options. If you were convicted after a trial or entered a guilty plea, you may still have the right to challenge the outcome, appeal the decision, or seek post-conviction relief. The
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Need a Defense Attorney in PA or NJ
When choosing a defense attorney in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, the most important factors are courtroom experience, strategic preparation, knowledge of local court systems, and a genuine commitment to protecting your future. The right lawyer is not simply the one with the biggest advertisement or the most online visibility — it is the attorney who
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Don’t Lie to The Police
Encounters with law enforcement can be stressful and intimidating, especially when the outcome feels uncertain. In these moments, some people feel tempted to provide misleading information or alter the truth in an effort to protect themselves. However, lying to the police in Pennsylvania almost always creates more problems than it solves. What may seem like
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Expectations When Arrested While on Probation
An arrest that occurs while you are on probation in Pennsylvania can have immediate and serious consequences, potentially affecting both the new criminal case and your existing probation sentence. Consequences of a New Arrest While on Probation If someone on probation is arrested and charged with a new criminal offense, probation authorities will often treat
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Aggravated vs Simple Assault Charges
Pennsylvania law recognizes an important distinction between simple assault and aggravated assault, and that distinction plays a major role in how cases are charged and the penalties that may follow. Overview of Simple Assault In many situations, simple assault is charged as a misdemeanor offense. Although a misdemeanor conviction can still lead to jail time,
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Do Miranda Warnings Always Have to Be Issued?
Miranda warnings are often treated like a required “script” that police must read in every criminal case. Many people assume that if an officer does not say, “You have the right to remain silent,” then the case automatically falls apart. In Pennsylvania, that is not how Miranda works. When Miranda Warnings Are Required in Pennsylvania
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Jury Selection Process in PA
Jury selection can make or break a Pennsylvania criminal trial. Before any evidence is presented and before witnesses take the stand, the court must choose a group of jurors who can stay neutral, follow the judge’s instructions, and fairly evaluate what they hear in the courtroom. In Pennsylvania, strong jury selection is about more than
