Category: PCRA & Appeals

Defendants in Philadelphia criminal cases who are convicted of a crime in Pennsylvania may file a Pennsylvania Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) petition to appeal the conviction.

This defense asserts that the defendant acted in a reasonable and necessary manner to protect themselves from imminent harm or death. To successfully claim self-defense, the defendant must demonstrate that they had a reasonable belief in the need for self-protection, that they used reasonable force in response to the threat, and that they did not provoke the situation.

When individuals are faced with attempted murder and murder charges in Philadelphia criminal cases, one of the defenses their criminal defense lawyer may present is the alibi defense.

Part 1 of this article discussed a defendant’s right to request an evidentiary hearing in a PCRA petition after being convicted at trial (murder, capital murder, robbery, etc.).

When a defendant files a PCRA petition after being convicted at trial, whether it is for murder, capital murder or robbery, they may request an evidentiary hearing pursuant to Pennsylvania law.