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What Happens if You Get a DUI While Driving a Rental Car?

October 17, 2025
Contact a West Chester Criminal Defense Lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes to Discuss Your DUI Charges

Pennsylvania laws that make Driving Under the Influence (DUI) illegal apply to everyone who owns the car that you were driving at the time of your arrest. Whether you have borrowed or rented a car, you could still be subject to severe penalties if you are convicted of the crime. If you are in a…

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What Convictions Cannot Be Expunged in Pennsylvania?

September 26, 2025
West Chester Criminal Defense Lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes

Having a criminal record in Pennsylvania can impact many areas of your life, from securing employment to obtaining housing. Criminal records are often publicly accessible, meaning potential employers, landlords, and others can easily see them. For this reason, you may want to pursue expungement, a legal process that limits access to your criminal record. An…

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Common Defenses Against Drug Possession Charges in West Chester, Pennsylvania

August 2, 2025
West Chester Criminal Defense Lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes

If you have been charged with drug possession in West Chester, Pennsylvania, it is important to understand that the prosecutor must prove every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt to convict you. You have legal options, and working with a skilled West Chester criminal defense attorney can help you identify defenses specific to your…

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Can You Get a DUI on a Boat?

May 23, 2025
Contact a West Chester DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes

Pennsylvania has a law that applies specifically to boating under the influence. This statute is very similar to the one that prohibits driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The legal limits for alcohol and the penalties imposed on the boater are similar to those in the context of motor vehicles.…

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Medication Caused My DUI Charge

May 2, 2025
A West Chester DUI Lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes Will Help Your Case

While Most Pennsylvania drivers associate driving under the influence (DUI) charges with alcohol or illegal drug consumption, did you know that taking prescription or over-the-counter medication can lead to the same DUI charges? The law treats medication-related impairment with the same severity, sometimes with even harsher penalties, than it does with alcohol-related offenses. If this…

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Facing Your First DUI

March 21, 2025
Navigate a First-Time DUI Charge with a West Chester DUI Lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes

If a West Chester officer levels a driving under the influence (DUI) charge against you, you may feel overwhelmed—especially if you have not faced a driving-related case before. The good news is that an accusation does not rob you of legal options. In fact, with the right legal help, you may be able to mitigate…

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What Are Defenses to Drug Offenses?

February 28, 2025
Defending Yourself Against Drug Charges with a West Chester Criminal Defense Lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes

  No one should take drug charges lightly, if for no other reason than the severity of the consequences—which include potential jail time, fines, and a lasting criminal record. Thankfully, a charge does not mean a conviction. You have several legal defenses and strategies available to you to challenge the claims made by your prosecuting…

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What Are Common Types of Criminal Charges?

January 17, 2025
Contact a West Chester Criminal Defense Lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes for Help with Your Case

The punishment that you may receive upon being convicted of a crime depends on its classification and severity. Pennsylvania breaks criminal offenses down into three primary categories, which are as follows: Summary offenses Misdemeanors Felonies Summary Offenses in Pennsylvania While no criminal charge is without consequence, a summary offense represents the least severe type of…

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How to Avoid a DUI During the Holidays?

December 19, 2024
Let a West Chester Criminal Defense Lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes Help You Sort Out the Facts

Throughout the holiday season, it is not uncommon to tip an alcoholic beverage and toast to the upcoming new year with sentiments of hope and health. However, the sound of clinking glasses could be replaced by the clicking sound of handcuffs for those who choose to drive under the influence. Since no one wants to…

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