Luzerne County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Last updated on April 21, 2025

If you have been accused of committing a crime in Pennsylvania, it is important to have a skilled criminal defense lawyer on your side. Choosing the right lawyer can have a profound impact on your future. Whether you are acting on your own behalf or on the behalf of a loved one, you do not have to give up without a fight!

At Olexa & Casari, in Hazleton, we defend the rights of people facing criminal charges in Luzerne County, in Carbon County and throughout surrounding Pennsylvania communities. Our attorneys will aggressively fight for your rights while defending your reputation and your future.

Attorney Edward Olexa is a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney. Attorney Olexa has been concentrating the majority of his practice in criminal law since his early days with the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, where he began his career as a prosecutor. Attorney Olexa has represented more than a thousand clients on matters ranging from misdemeanor offenses to more serious crimes such as burglaries, robberies, arson, aggravated assault and homicide.

Experienced Criminal Defense Law Firm with Comprehensive Resources

Our law firm has the experience and resources to defend you against any felony or misdemeanor criminal charge, including:

• Drug charges
• Vehicle and traffic offenses
• Drunk driving charges
• Probation and parole
• White collar crimes
• Weapon charges
• Assault and other violent crimes
• Computer crimes
• Sex crimes

We approach criminal cases with an unmatched intensity and attention to detail. We have a full-time, licensed private investigator on staff. The investigator is complemented by a group of highly regarded expert witnesses and consultants who work with our office regularly, are available to our lawyers and bring a wealth of resources to the defense team.

Winning criminal cases requires creativity as well as making sure all the important evidence is reviewed and obtained. We have argued and litigated several successful motions to suppress in cases where unfavorable evidence was illegally obtained by the police. Whether it’s serving a pile of subpoenas on the opposition, staking out the alleged crime scene the evening of the arrest, hunting down that key witness that many lawyers wouldn’t take the time to find, forensically testing critical evidence, flying an expert witness from halfway across the country, or obtaining the training records of the arresting police officer, Olexa & Casari does the things many defendants only get to see on television.

Our results speak for themselves. Please take the time to review some of our results for yourself.

Experienced Bail Hearing Representation

Bail is often the first step in the most serious criminal cases and is frequently the first big mistake people make when they try to represent themselves in criminal court without an experienced litigator like attorney Olexa by their side. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can address your bail issues alone, or with the ‘advice’ of a bail bondsman. Bail is a matter that requires someone with the knowledge to advise you of the best possible route and also, the least costly alternative.

Many sit in prison today because they spent all of their money on bail only to end up without the money to hire proper counsel to assist in their defense. Attorney Olexa can frequently address the issue of bail without the posting of money by the client. He is also there to assist when a loved one is incarcerated and the family is confused about how to proceed and overwhelmed with inquiries from bail bondsmen.

Bail involves legal strategy and oftentimes, negotiation with police and prosecutors that attorney Olexa does not recommend a person handle alone. If you have criminal charges or know that criminal charges are coming, contact us today to obtain the assistance of experienced criminal defense counsel to answer all of your questions about the bail process.

County And Magisterial Courts And Their Role In The Legal Process

If you are facing criminal charges in Hazleton, it is important to understand how the local court system works. The legal process begins at the magisterial district court level and may proceed to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas, depending on the severity of the charges. These courts serve different but equally critical roles in criminal cases.

Here is how the county and magisterial courts in Hazleton fit into the criminal justice process:

• Initial appearances: After an arrest in Hazleton, your first court appearance will occur before a magisterial district judge (MDJ). These judges handle arraignments, set bail and conduct preliminary hearings.
• Preliminary hearings: At this hearing, the MDJ does not decide guilt or innocence. Instead, they determine whether the prosecution has enough evidence (probable cause) for the case to move forward to county court.
• Summary offenses: Minor crimes, such as underage drinking or disorderly conduct, are often resolved entirely at this level through fines, community service or short jail time.
• Bail and arraignments: Bail is set at this stage, which can determine whether the defendant remains in custody or is released pending trial. A defense attorney can advocate for a fair bail amount or argue for release on recognizance.
• Felony and misdemeanor progression: For more serious charges like drug offenses, assault or theft, cases are bound over to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas after the preliminary hearing.
• County court proceedings: Once in county court, you may face pre-trial motions, plea deals or a full trial. Felony cases and more complex legal matters are handled here, often involving jury trials and state-level penalties.

These courts are the gatekeepers of justice, balancing the rights of the accused with the interests of public safety.

Having a skilled criminal defense attorney during these early court proceedings can affect the outcome of a case. An attorney helps protect your rights, guides you through the process and advocates for the best possible resolution at every stage.

Whether it is a first-time offense or a serious felony, the criminal process in Hazleton starts locally, featuring local judges, local rules and real consequences. If you are facing criminal charges, our attorneys understand the local system, so we can help you protect your rights.

Common Questions We Hear From Clients

Regardless of whether you are under investigation and still unsure about your legal status or you have already been arrested and charged with a crime, you may lose sleep at first with many questions running through your mind. This is natural and a good indicator that it is time to consult with an attorney.

Why should I hire a criminal defense attorney?

No one plans to have a need for criminal defense counsel until a situation emerges that it obvious and urgent. The sooner you have a lawyer on your side, the more options you are likely to have for a favorable outcome. “Waiting to see what happens” is a big mistake that many people come to regret.

Depending on what has happened in your case so far, an attorney on your side may be able to persuade authorities to drop the case before charges are filed. Or your lawyer may convince a prosecutor or judge to give you probation or another opportunity to clear your name as well as resolve your case.

What should I say to the police?

Do not fall into the trap of trying to explain your way out of a situation on your own. This almost never turns out well for a suspect in a criminal case. Anything you say can be used against you, and you should expect that the police will try to get you to say things that can hurt your case.

You do have the right to remain silent, and that is the best policy in case of an arrest or if you are questioned during an investigation. To claim this right, you must inform the police that you are asserting your Fifth Amendment rights and wish to contact an attorney.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Pennsylvania?

The difference between a misdemeanor and felony often has to do with the severity of alleged offenses. With crimes against people, felonies usually indicate that someone was physically harmed or might have been. In drug offense cases, the possession of large amounts of illegal substances may be classified as a felony. Financial crimes may be charged as felonies when they involve large dollar amounts of losses or multiple parties were harmed.

A felony conviction will incur harsher penalties, including large fines and longer jail or prison sentences. Even after serving your time for a felony, you can expect long-term consequences, such as the loss of your right to vote or bear firearms.

Bring us your own questions at your earliest convenience after you have been arrested or if you suspect that you are under investigation for allegations of a criminal offense.

Call Us To Safeguard Your Rights And Secure Your Freedom

Before talking to anyone else about your criminal case, talk to your own attorney. You can arrange a confidential legal consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer at our firm. Contact us today online or by telephone at 570-931-5943.