Thomas P. Sundmaker
Attorney at Law
Domestic Violence
Sex Crimes
Domestic violence can encompass a wide range of actions committed by one partner against another when they are involved in any form of a domestic relationship, including marriage, family, dating and cohabitation. In legal terms, domestic violence can include any form of abusive behavior and actions. Sexual abuse, emotional abuse and physical violence are the primary categories used to classify behaviors of domestic violence. Domestic violence can also incorporate other abusive actions such as:
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Kidnapping
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Unlawful imprisonment
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Spousal abuse
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Harassment
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Trespassing
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Stalking
At the Law Office of Thomas P. Sundmaker we firmly believe that defendants are innocent until proven guilty. When you bring your case to the attention to our firm, you will receive the dedicated, client-focused attention needed to produce favorable results. Attorney Thomas Sundmaker has more than 20 years of criminal defense experience and has defended many different types of domestic charges. In addition, our office has seen the personal and family situations involved in these cases, and is familiar with the common allegations that arise.
Defending Domestic Violence Charges
Many cases that involve domestic violence charges are also at risk for additional charges of violent crimes and sex crimes. When this is the case, you can expect thorough investigations into all aspects of your personal life and a strong public opinion that may influence the outcome of your case. Having legal representation for your domestic violence case can help protect your rights and defend your reputation.
Domestic violence cases can also be increasingly complicated if family law matters are involved. Protection orders, divorce proceedings and child custody battles can all be hinged on the conviction or dismissal of a domestic violence charge. Combined with the fines and possible terms of imprisonment, there can be a great deal riding on the successful outcome of your domestic violence case. To set up a free case evaluation or to speak with a qualified attorney from our firm, contact usas soon as possible.
Convictions for sex crimes throughout Pennsylvania carry some of the harshest penalties in the criminal justice system. Because most district attorney offices now have prosecutors that handle nothing but these types of cases, you must hire an attorney whose experience in this area of the law exceeds that of the prosecutors'.
Attorney Thomas P. Sundmaker has successfully vindicated numerous individuals charged with sex crimes such as rape, IDSI, sexual assault, indecent assault, and child pornography. His experience in this area of the law, as well as his aggressive approach to defending his clients is widely known by judges and prosecutors throughout PA. Due to his reputation, he is often able to have serious sex crime charges dismissed or reduced. Alternatively, he is always ready to proceed to trial, raise reasonable doubt, and convince a jury or judge of his clients' innocence.
Rape Charges and Defense
Rape charges are some of the most critically viewed sex crime offenses. Though many people immediately believe anyone accused of rape is guilty, false accusations and wrongful convictions happen much too frequently. One of the most important factors in rape cases involves the issue of forced and consensual intercourse. This is one of the most difficult issues to address in sex crime cases, as complications can be caused by a mishandling or lack of evidence, the presence of alcohol or drugs, the character of the victim and the nature of their accusation.
Our firm has handled many cases in which clients were accused of rape and has experience in defending charges involving date rape, acquaintance rape, statutory rape, sexual assault or domestic violence and others. When approaching these cases, our firm utilizes a diverse set of resources to expose false accusations, misidentifications and improperly handled evidence. The personal history of both the defendant and alleged victim must also be taken into consideration. It must be reiterated that rape charges are very serious accusations that can lead to lengthy mandatory prison sentences. It is highly recommended that you bring your case to the attention of an attorney from our firm as soon as possible after your arrest so that all elements of your case can be thoroughly evaluated.
Child Pornography
Child pornography crimes may involve the possession, production, or distribution of images that depict a child under the age of 18 engaged in actual or simulated sexual conduct. Depending on the nature of a case and the charges involved, these crimes may be prosecuted at the state or federal level. As with any sex crime, child pornography crimes are prosecuted aggressively, and can result in lengthy terms of imprisonment and mandatory sex offender registration.
Sexting
As with internet crimes, the American legal system has evolved and adapted to new technology and the new forms of crimes they can create. Sexting is a prime example of new crimes arising with the advent of new forms of technology and communication. In fact, Pennsylvania has recently revamped legislation to incorporate sexting laws. Sexting any explicitly sexual videos, emails, text messages and photographs of underage persons can result in second-degree misdemeanor charges for minors under the age of 18 and felony charges for adults.
Depending on the circumstances involved, sexting charges can be penalized as strictly as child pornography offenses. If convicted, defendants must register as sex offenders and can face fines of up to $25,000 and maximum prison terms of ten years. Minors, on the other hand, do not have to register as sex offenders and often face less severe punishments. Sexting is a serious crime, and laws have grown to reflect the legal system's zero tolerance for sex crimes.
Sex Crimes Involving Children
Under 18 PA C.S. §6312, sex crimes involving minors under the age of 18 can include any sexual acts with minors and any photographs, videotapes or forms of child pornography that depict minors in a sexual nature. Other sex crimes involving minors includes unlawful contact with a minor and sexual exploitation of children. All sex crimes committed by adults involving minors are prosecuted as felonies and law enforcement agencies, district attorneys and other organizations work collectively to gain convictions and maximum penalties.
Having an attorney defend your case can ensure that your rights are protected and that you are not unfairly prosecuted. These sex crimes are extremely severe and punishments include fines and mandatory prison sentences or both. Registering as a sex offender is also a requirement upon convictions, and these records can negatively impact your reputation, future and quality of life.
Internet Sex Crimes
Internet sex crimes are a commonly prosecuted sex crime offense. Charges can include online solicitation of minors in chat-rooms or other similar networking sights, online sexual exploitation, sending sexually explicit materials to children and any possession or dissemination of child pornography shared by computers over the internet. There are many factors that can affect both the outcome and penalties of internet sex crime cases, and it is important that you have an experienced attorney advise you about your rights, options and details regarding your personal case.
If you have ever seen popular shows that target internet predators, then you may know the extreme efforts and methods law enforcement agencies use to gain arrests for internet sex crimes. In many cases, defendants are unaware of the age of the individuals they communicate with online and defense strategies can be implemented to present no intention of committing an unlawful act. Internet sex crimes carry fines and mandatory prison sentences, as well as required sex offender registration.
Our Firm Can Defend Your Rights
There is no doubt about it, sex crimes are a delicate issue and the laws and penalties surrounding them are incredibly harsh. Cases involving sex offenses are often subjected to extreme bias and difficulties that can arise from illegitimate accusations, improperly handled evidence and other factors. By working with an experienced attorney, your case will receive the thorough investigation and defense it deserves and your rights will be protected throughout the entire legal process.
We have the experience, resources and dedication to fight your case and will work closely with you through the entire journey. With your freedom, reputation and future at stake, acting quickly and intelligently becomes incredibly important to the outcome of your case. As soon as you find yourself facing sex crime charges, you should immediately contact our office to speak with an attorney and have your case evaluated.
We are prepared to handle any theft related case. There are many different types of theft offenses, ranging from petty retail theft to identity theft and large-scale white collar crimes, and the penalties and defense strategies can greatly vary. No matter the nature of your case, or if your theft crime is being charged as a federal crime or in conjunction with a drug crime,internet crime or violent offense, our experienced attorney will have your back. We have a simple philosophy when it comes to handling cases; remain dedicated, keep clients well informed, and fight until we get the results our clients want.
Shoplifting
According to 18 PA C.S. § 3929, there are specific guidelines that dictate the punishments for retail theft. Shoplifting is a considerable offense and convictions can result in criminal records, fines and the possibility of imprisonment. The grading system used to classify retail theft is as follows:
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Summary offense when value is less than $150
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2nd degree misdemeanor when there is a second offense and value is less than $150
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1st degree misdemeanor when value is more than $150
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3rd degree felony when there is three or more offenses, regardless of value
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3rd degree felony when value exceeds $2,000
Penalties are determined according the grade of the retail theft and any other circumstances at the court's discretion. The maximum jail or prison term penalties for retail theft include: up to 90 days for a summary offense, up to three years for a second degree misdemeanor, up to five years for a first degree misdemeanor and up to seven years for a third degree felony. As shoplifting can pose harsh, life-altering consequences and criminal records, it is vital to a successful outcome that you retain immediate legal counsel following your arrest. Even if you did not steal anything, you can be charged for retail theft for altering labels or price tags, disabling security devices or any other action that may show intent to deprive a retailer of the merchandise's full value.
Robbery and Burglary
Robbery and Burglary are some of the more serious theft charges, and both are strictly penalized. Robbery is a crime that involves the theft or attempted theft of something of value by force or the threat of force. Crimes can be charged as robbery if a person committing a theft also inflicts or threatens to inflict injury upon another, commits or threatens to commit an additional felony or physically removes property from another. Burglary, on the other hand, involves illegal entry with the intent to commit theft of another's property. The penalties for these forms of theft depend on many extenuating factors.
Auto Theft
Motor vehicle theft is an incredibly prevalent crime. In the U.S. alone, there are over a million reported incidents of auto theft per year. In Pennsylvania, auto theft can be considered a third degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. Carjacking, or the theft of an automobile by force, was made a federal crime by the Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992 and can include penalties of fines, mandatory prison terms, or both. Given the serious nature of the crime and the stiff consequences, having an attorney evaluate your case can provide you with information about the legal process, your options and what you can do to possibly minimize penalties.
Defending Theft Crimes
Theft crimes penalties typically include mandatory prison or jail sentences. To reduce your risk of suffering the maximum consequences it is recommended that you have an experienced criminal defense attorney review your case to determine the severity of your situation, the possible consequences you may face, and the available options for reduced penalties or plea bargains. When other crimes are involved or when force or threats of force are used, legal representation becomes vital to your case.
Theft Crimes
Fraud
Identity Theft, Fraud and Forgery
Fraudulent theft crimes such as identity theft and forgery have become such a widespread offense that many organizations and task forces were created specifically to prevent, combat and convict offenders. As these crimes often capitalized on the anonymity and interstate communication ofinternet crimes, they are commonly prosecuted as federal charges. Whether your charge affected an individual, group of people, business, government or financial institution, you can expect aggressive prosecution. Investment and securities fraud, wire fraud and other white collar crimes are also common charges of fraud and theft. Penalties can range drastically depending on the circumstances involved, including large fines and prison sentences as high as 30 years.
Credit Card Fraud
Any theft or fraud committed using a credit card or similar transaction can be charged as credit card fraud. Cases that involve the use of fraudulent credit card schemes such as skimming, phishing and identity theft also run the risk of additional internet crime or white collar crime charges. Credit card fraud is a popular crime and law enforcement agencies continually gather intelligence and insider knowledge in order to remain ahead of the curve and gain convictions. Defending credit card fraud charges requires a great deal of technical knowledge, legal experience, tact and familiarity with the procedures used to prosecute defendants.