Attorney Profile

Prior to beginning his legal career, Vincent Erik Petersen, “Erik”, went to Penn State University. While at Penn State Erik became very interested in the Criminal Justice field. He then decided to transfer to Temple University located in Philadelphia due to their nationally known Criminal Justice course of study. Erik graduated cum laude from Temple University with a B.A. Degree in Criminal Justice. He then went to Widener Law School located in Wilmington, Delaware where he graduated with a Law Degree and received an American Jurisprudence Award for his outstanding academic achievements.

In 1992, Erik began his legal career in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office located in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He spent 6 years in the District Attorney’s Office handling DUI, Homicide by Vehicle while DUI, Drug Trafficking, Robbery, Burglary and First Degree Murder cases. He was promoted to Chief of Pre-Trials where he trained new Assistant District Attorney’s and handled high profile cases.

Erik left the District Attorney’s Office in 1998 and went into private practice where he began defending individuals charged with criminal offenses. As a defense attorney Erik has handled DUI, Drug Trafficking, Rape, Robbery, Burglary and First Degree Murder cases. Currently, Erik focuses his time on defending DUI, Homicide by Vehicle while DUI and other serious felony cases.

Due to his experience and reputation as one of the areas top Criminal Defense Attorneys, Erik has appeared several times on CN8’s “It’s Your Call with Lynn Doyle” television show as a legal expert. Topics have included the O.J. Simpson case and the Michael Jackson child molestation trial.

Erik was also named “Best Attorney” in the 2006 Reader’s Choice Awards published by the North Penn Reporter.

Erik’s peers and fellow attorneys have described him as an aggressive, well prepared, “does his homework” kind of lawyer.  They have also said he is the type of lawyer who will leave no stone unturned.

Erik has Litigated cases in both State and Federal Courts, including cases in Pennsylvania from Philadelphia to Erie as well as Maryland, New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, Texas, and California.

Recently, Erik defended an individual in Berks County, Reading, Pennsylvania who was charged with Homicide by Vehicle while Driving Under the Influence, Homicide by Vehicle, Driving Under the Influence (Heroin in this case) and related offenses. The Commonwealth charged his client because they believed that she crossed the center line and caused a head-on collision that resulted in the death of an elderly woman. Erik presented evidence that his client did not cross the center line and that his client was not under the influence of heroin at the time of the accident. Erik utilized the services of a certified accident reconstructionist to prove the true cause of the accident. The jury’s verdict in this case established that Erik had proven his client was not the cause of the accident and that she was not under the influence of heroin at the time. The jury found his client not guilty of Homicide by Vehicle while Driving Under the Influence, Homicide by Vehicle and Driving Under the Influence.

Areas of Practice:

• 40% DUI Defense
• 25% Criminal Defense
• 20% Civil Litigation
• 15% Drivers License Issues

Litigation Percentage:
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions:
Pennsylvania, 1992
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2003

Education:

Widener University School of Law, J.D.
Wilmington, Delaware, 1992
Honors: With Honors
Honors: American Jurisprudence Award

Temple University, B.A.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1989
Honors: Cum Laude
Major:  Criminal Justice

Honors and Awards:
“Best Attorney” in the 2006 Reader’s Choice Awards, Published by North Penn Reporter, 2006

Professional Associations and Memberships:
Montgomery County Bar Association, 1992 – Present
Member

Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1992 – Present
Member

Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2005 – Present

Past Employment Positions:
Montgomery County District Attorney Office, Assistant District Attorney, 1992 – 1998