Summary Trial Lawyers in Wilkes-Barre, PA

What is a summary trial?

A summary trial occurs when a person charged with violating a summary offense pleads not guilty. A summary offense can be cited for violation of a local ordinance, the Crimes Code, the Motor Vehicle Code, the Dog Law, the Fish and Boat Code, the Game and Wildlife Code, or other provisions of Pennsylvania law. The court must decide whether the prosecution has established the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Does a defendant have a right to a jury trial for a summary offense?

No. A summary trial is a trial by a judge, without a jury. Summary trials are held in magistrate court.

If a summary offense is charged with misdemeanor or felony charges, a court of common pleas judge will decide whether the accused is guilty of the summary offense.

What if the prosecutor fails to appear at the summary trial?

If the prosecuting officer fails to appear at the summary trial the court will enter a not guilty verdict.

Does Lampman Law have summary trial experience?

Yes, Lampman Law has successfully tried many summary offenses trials to verdict.

Call us today at 570-371-3737. We are here to help and ready to fight.

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