Erie County Criminal Lawyer

Trust an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney in Erie, PA, to Help You Fight Misdemeanor or Felony Charges

When criminal charges arise, the consequences can affect every aspect of a person’s life. Your freedom, career, reputation, financial stability, and long-term opportunities are all at risk. In these high-stakes moments, the guidance of an experienced Erie County criminal lawyer becomes essential.

Alan Natalie, Attorney at Law, provides aggressive, strategic, and compassionate criminal defense representation to individuals throughout Erie County and the surrounding communities. With decades of experience in private practice and prior service as a public defender, Attorney Natalie brings a deep understanding of Pennsylvania criminal law and a long record of successful outcomes on behalf of clients facing serious charges. Contact Alan Natalie, Attorney at Law, for a free consultation, and find out what dedicated representation can do to protect your rights.

Comprehensive Defense Against a Full Range of Criminal Charges

As a seasoned criminal defense attorney in Erie, PA, Attorney Natalie represents clients across the full spectrum of criminal matters. The firm handles cases ranging from summary offenses to misdemeanors and the most serious felony accusations, including the following.

Traffic Violations and Summary Offenses

Even minor traffic violations can lead to costly fines, accumulating points, license suspension, and increased insurance rates. The firm regularly defends clients against speeding citations, reckless or careless driving allegations, and other summary offenses to protect driving privileges and minimize long-term consequences.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Pennsylvania imposes strict penalties for DUI, including mandatory minimum sentencing that varies based on prior offenses, blood alcohol content levels, and aggravating factors. As an experienced Erie County criminal lawyer, Attorney Natalie challenges sobriety tests, investigates improper police procedures, and evaluates whether probable cause existed for the traffic stop. His defense strategies for both first-offense and repeat DUI offense charges often uncover weaknesses in the prosecution’s case that can result in reduced or dismissed charges.

Misdemeanor Charges

Misdemeanor charges may seem less severe, but they often carry penalties that include jail time, probation, fines, and a permanent criminal record. The firm handles simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct, theft, drug possession, and other misdemeanor charges.

Because these offenses can affect employment, education, and housing opportunities, guidance from a qualified criminal defense attorney in Erie, PA, is essential.

Felony Charges

Felonies involve the potential for lengthy prison sentences and life-altering consequences. Attorney Natalie has experience defending clients accused of aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, drug delivery, weapons offenses, and financial crimes. His ability to analyze complex evidence and anticipate prosecutorial tactics plays a critical role in securing favorable outcomes.

Homicide and the Most Serious Offenses

When allegations involve homicide or similarly severe offenses, nothing is more important than experienced legal representation. Attorney Natalie’s background, which spans private criminal defense and service as a public defender, has equipped him to handle high-stakes cases with precision and resilience. His courtroom experience is invaluable in matters involving forensic analysis, expert witnesses, and constitutional challenges.

Consequences of a Criminal Conviction in Pennsylvania

Whether you're charged with misdemeanor or felony violations, a criminal conviction can carry significant penalties and long-lasting effects. These consequences may include the following.

Incarceration

Depending on the charge, individuals may face county jail time or state prison terms. Certain offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences that limit judicial flexibility.

Fines and Financial Penalties

Convictions often involve substantial fines, court costs, restitution, and mandatory program fees. These financial burdens can affect individuals long after a case concludes.

Probation and Community Supervision

Probation can impose strict terms such as curfews, regular reporting, drug testing, employment conditions, and mandatory treatment programs. Violations can lead to additional penalties or incarceration.

Community Service

Courts may require community service hours, adding time-intensive obligations to an already difficult situation.

Permanent Criminal Record

Perhaps the most damaging consequence is the long-term impact of a criminal record. A conviction can affect:

• Employment opportunities
• Housing applications
• Professional licensing
• Firearm rights
• Immigration status
• Educational opportunities
• Financial aid eligibility

Records are easily accessible to employers, landlords, and licensing boards. Avoiding a conviction or pursuing reduced charges whenever possible is critical. These considerations highlight the importance of working with an experienced Erie County criminal lawyer who can help protect your future.

The High Stakes of Criminal Charges and the Importance of Skilled Representation

A criminal charge is not just a legal problem. It’s a personal crisis. The prosecution has extensive resources at its disposal, including investigators, forensic experts, and seasoned attorneys whose goal is to secure convictions. Without experienced representation, individuals risk facing harsh penalties and long-lasting consequences without a strong defense to protect them.

A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Erie, PA, examines every aspect of a case, ensures that constitutional rights are protected, and develops customized defense strategies aimed at achieving the best possible outcome. Skilled representation can mean the difference between incarceration and freedom, a conviction and a dismissal, or a severe penalty and a reduced charge.

Common Effective Defense Strategies in Criminal Cases

Each case requires a strategy tailored to the facts, evidence, and legal issues involved. Attorney Natalie frequently employs several highly effective defense approaches, including:

Challenging Illegal Searches, Stops, or Arrests

If law enforcement lacked reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or a valid warrant, evidence gathered may be deemed inadmissible. Suppression of key evidence can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case or lead to dismissal.

Analyzing and Contesting Forensic Evidence

Breath tests, blood tests, lab results, and digital or physical forensic evidence may be flawed due to improper collection, contamination, or analytical errors. Attorney Natalie works with experts when necessary to expose inaccuracies or weaknesses.

Undermining Unreliable or Inconsistent Witness Testimony

Witnesses may misinterpret events, misidentify individuals, or present biased testimony. Cross-examination can reveal discrepancies that raise reasonable doubt.

Demonstrating Lack of Criminal Intent

Many Pennsylvania crimes require proof that the accused acted knowingly or intentionally. Showing an absence of intent can significantly change the course of a case.

Negotiating for Charge Reductions or Alternative Sentencing

Attorney Natalie’s longstanding relationships within the court system and his reputation as a calm, credible advocate often create opportunities for advantageous plea agreements, diversionary programs, or alternative sentencing.

These strategies highlight why securing the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney is essential for anyone facing criminal allegations.

Attorney Alan Natalie’s Experience and Record of Success

For more than three decades, Attorney Alan Natalie has built a respected reputation in both private practice and public service. His background includes:

• Private criminal defense representation in cases ranging from traffic violations to serious felonies
• Hands-on trial experience developed through years of service as a part-time public defender
• Extensive courtroom advocacy, including jury trials, bench trials, suppression hearings, and complex motion practice
• Successful negotiation and case resolution, securing dismissals, reductions, and favorable outcomes
• A reputation for detailed preparation, strategic thinking, and dedicated client service

This combination of skill, experience, and commitment makes him a trusted Erie County criminal lawyer for individuals confronting life-altering allegations.

How Alan Natalie, Attorney At Law, Can Help

Alan Natalie, Attorney At Law, offers comprehensive criminal defense services designed to protect clients’ rights and futures. Clients can expect:

• Early intervention and proactive guidance following an arrest or investigation
• Thorough case review to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence
• Custom defense strategies designed for the specific facts of each case
• Aggressive enforcement of constitutional protections
• Clear, honest communication throughout the legal process
• Strong courtroom representation at every stage

In serious matters where the stakes are high, skilled legal counsel is vital. An experienced Erie County criminal lawyer can help clients navigate the justice system, protect their rights, and pursue the best possible outcome.

Why Choose Alan Natalie, Attorney At Law to Defend You Against Criminal Charges?

Regardless of the severity of the charges against you, Alan Natalie, Attorney At Law, can make sure your rights are always protected. While outcomes in criminal cases can be unpredictable, what you can control is having an experienced attorney in your corner throughout the proceedings. The firm is known for its longstanding practice of criminal defense law, Attorney Natalie’s history as a public defender, focused representation, local recognition, and reasonable fees.

Decades of Criminal Defense Experience From Traffic Violations to Homicide

Attorney Natalie has handled a wide spectrum of criminal matters throughout his career, from minor traffic cases to the most serious felony offenses. This breadth of experience equips the firm with the insight and courtroom skill needed to defend clients effectively at every stage of a criminal case.

A Background That Includes Service as a Public Defender

Years spent representing individuals in the public defender’s office provide Attorney Natalie with invaluable trial experience and steady courtroom composure. This blended public and private defense background contributes to a deeper understanding of how prosecutors build cases and how best to challenge them.

Selective Criminal Defense Representation Focused on Strong Outcomes

By maintaining a limited practice, the firm concentrates its attention on key practice areas, including criminal defense, allowing for meticulous case preparation and highly personalized strategy. This selective approach ensures that each client receives the focus, time, and dedication their case demands.

Locally Recognized and Trusted Counsel With Deep Roots in Erie County

Attorney Natalie has earned both professional accolades and community recognition, including the Erie's Choice Community’s Choice Awards distinction for Best Attorney 2025. His longstanding reputation speaks to the trust clients place in his representation and his ongoing commitment to the Erie County community.

Fair, Accessible Fees for Experienced Representation

With over three decades of experience and thousands of criminal cases handled, Attorney Natalie provides seasoned, effective representation without the inflated costs charged by many larger firms. Clients benefit from reasonable fees and available payment arrangements, proving that strong criminal defense comes from experience, not overpricing.

Contact Alan Natalie, Attorney At Law Today for a Free, Confidential Consultation

Whether you’ve been charged with felony domestic assault, a less severe misdemeanor offense, or DUI, your next move matters. Going through criminal legal proceedings without dedicated guidance could leave you facing the harshest penalties, while having an effective advocate on your side can contribute to achieving the most favorable outcome possible.

For help fighting back against serious criminal charges, contact Alan Natalie, Attorney At Law online or call 814-622-4511 today.