PA Criminal Defense Attorney V. Erik Petersen Has Your Back

About My Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Law Firm

In 2004, I decided to open my own law practice as a way to better serve my clients. When you retain my law firm, you retain me. Every time you talk to your lawyer about your case, I am the one you talk to. You will not be handed off to another attorney with less experience. I will handle your case from initial consultation all the way through to the final result. If you want a lawyer who personally handles every aspect of your case, contact me, attorney V. Erik Petersen, to put my 30 plus years of experience in your corner.

Substantial Experience

I am a former Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney who tried dozens of major felony jury trials, including cases involving First Degree Murder, Homicide by Vehicle, Aggravated Assault, Robbery, Rape and Drug Trafficking, also known as Possession with Intent to Deliver. Because of my previous work as an Assistant District Attorney, many judges and current Assistant District Attorneys know me and know that I am a well-prepared and tenacious attorney. They know that I have worked long and hard to build this reputation. This reputation will benefit you when it comes time to go to trial or negotiate a plea agreement.

In addition to my 6 years as an Assistant District Attorney, I have over 25 years of experience in defending individuals who have been charged with a crime. In total, I have over 30 years of experience in the area of criminal law. I also have extensive experience as a civil trial attorney. I have handled countless complex civil cases including a case involving over 50,000 documents and weeks of testimony through depositions. Criminal defense cases rarely become this complex. However, if they do I am well equipped to handle them.

Innovative Solutions

My highest priority is to keep my client out of jail. If I cannot get the charges dropped or dismissed, I work hard to create a sentencing plan that allows my client to retain as much freedom as possible. Because I am well-versed in criminal law, I know that courts have some flexibility in this area, especially for first offenders.

Contact me at the Law Offices of V. Erik Petersen for a free consultation with a criminal defense lawyer located in Harleysville, Montgomery County. Together we can explore possible resolutions to your case whether it is a charge of DUI, Drug Possession, Theft, Sex offenses, or Homicide (Murder).

Former Prosecutor Now Fighting For You

I am Montgomery County Criminal Defense Lawyer Erik Petersen. I have been a practicing attorney in Pennsylvania for over 30 years. I was prosecutor in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office in the Major Crimes Unit. My role in that position was to prosecute people charged with significant crimes. In my years as a prosecutor, I prosecuted crimes ranging from homicide (murder) and homicide by vehicle (HBV) to driving under the influence (DUI), drug crimes, robbery, burglary, rape, arson, theft, receiving stolen property and related theft cases.

Since leaving the D.A.’s office, I have been in private practice representing people charged with a crime. With my background as a former prosecutor, I know how the police and the District Attorney’s Office build their cases against defendants. I use that knowledge to prepare strong defenses and/or negotiate positive results on behalf of my clients. Let me, Criminal Defense Lawyer Erik Petersen help you. Please contact me to schedule a free consultation.

The clear job of a good criminal defense attorney is to achieve the best possible result for his client. In many cases, the best result involves negotiating a non-trial disposition such as admission into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD Program) or Section 17 Probation.

However the best criminal defense attorneys can prepare a successful defense and are not afraid to take a case to trial. It is always better to negotiate from a position of strength. Prosecutors know which criminal defense lawyers are willing and able to truly fight for their clients and are more likely to engage in meaningful negotiations with such lawyers.

Practice Areas

• DUI defense: In Montgomery County, PA and surrounding counties, DUI is the crime that is most commonly charged. As a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney I have handled hundreds of DUI cases and am certainly qualified to negotiate the best possible result (such as admission into the ARD Program) or prepare a vigorous defense on behalf of anyone charged with a DUI.
• Drug crimes: I zealously defend people charged with drug crimes in state and federal court, including felony drug cases, misdemeanor possession offenses and juvenile drug charges. I have represented many clients obtain positive results, including dispositions that can be expunged from criminal records (such as Section 17 Probation).
• Federal criminal defense: The federal criminal justice system presents a unique set of challenges because the federal sentencing guidelines are typically much more severe and federal cases tend to be far more involved. I have represented clients in federal court on major cases and have obtained favorable results by way of negotiated pleas and following jury trials. For anyone under federal investigation, it is important to retain a federal criminal defense attorney immediately to start preparing the best possible defense.
• Crimes of violence: Anyone charged with a violent crime — such as homicide, assault and a sex crimes — should immediately retain a criminal defense attorney who can protect their rights and ensure they are treated fairly. Crimes such as these can change a person’s life and it is critically important to have a lawyer on your side who has handled such charges in the past and knows what it takes to obtain a positive result.
• Sex crimes: Charges of sexual assault — such as rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, child molestation, corruption of minors, indecent exposure and statutory rape — are charges that can literally change a client’s life. I have handled many such cases, as a prosecutor and a defense attorney, and am qualified to represent anyone charged with a sex crime.
• Juvenile crimes: A juvenile charged with a crime, including DUI or any other offense, needs a strong, experienced advocate and guide through the criminal justice system to prevent his or her adult life from being adversely affected. I am proud that I have obtained positive results for many former juvenile criminal clients who went on to become productive, law-abiding adult citizens.
• Retail theft, larceny and shoplifting: Anyone charged with a theft-related offense should retain an experienced criminal defense attorney. I have represented many clients charged with retail theft and related offenses, some of whom were ultimately admitted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD Program).
• Misdemeanors: If you are convicted of a misdemeanor crime, you will likely experience long-term consequences that will adversely affect your future. There is no doubt that misdemeanor defendants who have experienced criminal defense lawyers frequently get better results than those who are not so represented. In this day and age of background investigations, no conviction is minor. Contact me to help you fight your charges.
• Traffic violations: From Driving Under Suspension / DUI-related to reckless driving and speeding tickets, I have represented many people charged with a summary offense traffic citation. I can certainly help you obtain the best possible result.
• Expungement: I have helped many clients clean their criminal record by having getting their criminal history expunged. I have expunged adult criminal records, and juvenile criminal records, on behalf of many clients over the years. Feel free to contact our Blue Bell PA criminal defense attorneys to discuss whether your criminal record may be expunged.
• Probation violations & Gagnon hearings: Our Montgomery County criminal defense lawyers serve those throughout all of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania who are facing probation violations of all sorts.

Regardless of your criminal defense issue, please feel free to contact me, Abongton Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyer Erik Petersen to help you protect your rights and options. As a former prosecutor and a defense attorney, I am qualified to help anyone charged with a crime obtain the best possible result. Call Cheltenham Criminal Defense Lawyer Erik Petersen now.

Montgomery County criminal defense lawyer Erik Petersen proudly defends those accused of criminal charges, drug crimes, DUI, property crimes, violent crimes, weapons charges and sex offenses throughout Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. This includes Abington, Ambler, Blue Bell, Conshohocken, Haverford, Lansdale, Cheltenham Township, Hatboro, Hatfield, Jenkintown, Pottstown, Upper Merion Township, Upper Dublin Township, Lower Providence Township, Upper Moreland Township and Horsham Township.

Criminal Defense Lawyer Erik Petersen proudly serves all of Montgomery County, PA including Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham Township, Horsham Township, Norristown, Plymouth Township, Whitemarsh Township, Ambler, Bridgeport, Collegeville, Conshohocken, East Greenville, Green Lane, Hatboro, Hatfield, Jenkintown, Lansdale, Narberth, North Wales, Pennsburg, Pottstown, RedHill, Rockledge, Royersford, Schwenksville, Souderton, Telford, Trappe, West Conshohocken, Abington, Douglass, East Norriton, Franconia, Limerick, Lower Frederick, Lower Gwynedd, Lower Merion, Lower Moreland, Lower Pottsgrove, Lower Providence, Lower Salford, Marlborough, Montgomery, New Hanover, Perkiomen, Salford, Skippack, Springfield, Towamencin, Upper Dublin, Upper Frederick, Upper Gwynedd, Upper Hanover, Upper Merion, Upper Moreland, Upper Pottsgrove, Upper Providence, Upper Salford, West Norriton, West Pottsgrove, Whitpain, Worcester, Arcadia University, Ardmore, Audubon, Blue Bell, Bryn Mawr, Eagleville, Evansburg, Flourtown, Fort Washington, Gilbertsville, Harleysville, Haverford College, Horsham, King of Prussia, Kulpsville, Maple Glen, Montgomeryville, Oreland, Penn Wynne, Plymouth Meeting, Pottsgrove, Sanatoga, Skippack, Spring House, Spring Mount, Stowe, Trooper, Willow Grove, Woxall, Wyncote, Wyndmoor, Bala Cynwyd, Bethayres, Dresher, Elkins Park, Frederick, Gladwyne, Huntingdon Valley, Lafayette Hill, Melrose Park, Merion, Mont Clare, Rosemont, Valley Forge, Villanova and Wynnewood.