Philadelphia Criminal Cases – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding Philadelphia criminal cases are brought to you by Nenner Law, a Philadelphia criminal defense law firm. These FAQs address various criminal case topics, such as murder and homicide, drug possession and related drug charges, and guns/weapons charges. This legal library of FAQs is for information only and is not a substitute for legal advice.

If you have questions about a Philadelphia criminal case, it is best to consult with an experienced Philadelphia criminal lawyer. David Nenner has a wealth of experience and is listed as a “Top Rated Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyer in Philadelphia, PA” by Super Lawyers magazine. Unlike many criminal defense lawyers in Pennsylvania, Mr. Nenner always offers FREE initial consultations. 215.564.0644

Philadelphia Murders and Shootings – My Husband Shot Someone in Self-Defense, What Charges Does He Face? (April 16, 2018)
Question: My husband got into an argument with a neighbor, and the argument got heated. The neighbor then pulled out a gun and tried to shoot my husband. During the struggle, the gun went off and the neighbor got shot. He was taken to the hospital and my husband is going to talk to the ...
Can You Be Charged with Drug Possession in Philadelphia When the Drugs Were Not Found on You? (January 17, 2018)
Can you be charged with drug possession when the drugs are not found on you? See answer by David Nenner, a Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer. Mr. Nenner always offers FREE initial consultations.
Can My Son Be Charged with PWID After a Traffic Stop in Philadelphia? (April 27, 2017)
In Philadelphia, an individual does not have to be caught in the act of selling drugs in order to be charged. They can even be charged after a traffic stop. Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer discusses these issues in this FAQ.
Can Juveniles Face Felony Murder Charges? Answer by a Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyer (April 26, 2017)
Can a juvenile be charged with felony murder? Further, can a juvenile be charged with felony murder if he didn’t commit the killing? See answer by our Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer.
Are Warrantless Car Searches Legal? – By a Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyer (March 16, 2017)
Can Philadelphia police conduct warrantless car searches after pulling vehicles over for traffic violations? What are your legal rights if the police find small amount of drugs in the car? Learn more here.
What are the Penalties for Possession of Cocaine in Philadelphia? (September 13, 2016)
Question: If I was charged with possessing cocaine, will I be convicted? What are the penalties? Will I go to jail? I have never been charged with possessing cocaine before, and I am worried about my future.
Do You Need a Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyer at a Preliminary Hearing for Murder Charges? (September 12, 2016)
Question: My son was arrested and charged with attempted murder in Philadelphia. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week. What is a preliminary hearing? Does he need to hire a criminal defense lawyer for the preliminary hearing or can he represent himself?
Murder Charges and Consequences in Philadelphia Criminal Cases (June 20, 2016)
There are different types of murder charges in PA, and each type carries a different penalty. Mr. Nenner, a Phila. criminal defense lawyer, answers a question about murder charges and penalties.
I was arrested for drug possession in Philadelphia. What are my chances of going to jail? (August 12, 2015)
he answer depends on a whole host of factors, including the following: the type of drugs involved, the amount of drugs involved, and any prior conviction record. See full answer here.
My son was arrested, charged with drug dealing in Philadelphia. Will he go to prison? (May 20, 2015)
Answer: Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (PWID) is a serious charge. Under Pennsylvania criminal law, convictions for drug dealing or trafficking will result in mandatory minimum sentences. A potential mandatory minimum sentence varies and depends on the circumstances, such as: the type of drugs involved, the amount of drugs involved, whether another person died, ...
Philadelphia Drug Charge Q&A: What sentence are you facing? (May 1, 2014)
Question: I was arrested for dealing drugs in Philadelphia. What is the maximum sentence I face? Answer: In Pennsylvania criminal drug cases, the possible mandatory sentence will depend on proof of certain facts, such as: whether a gun was found within the vicinity of the drugs, the type and amount of the drugs, and where ...

David S. Nenner

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Not guilty on 1st Degree MURDER CHARGE (dec. 2022, Pottsville, Pa)

Mr. Nenner's client faced first degree murder, third degree murder and various other charges. The Commonwealth alleged that Mr. Whitted stabbed and killed a driver after an incident at a red light in West Brunswick Township. Throughout the trial, Mr. Nenner argued...

MURDER, Att. Murder CHARGES – Negotiated Significantly Lower prison sentence (Feb. 2022, PHILA)

Mr. Anderson faced murder and attempted murder charges after an incident in Northeast Philadelphia involving the shooting death of Anderson’s sister’s boyfriend and the boyfriend’s roommate who was shot 5 times and survived. The decedent had previously beaten the...

Att. MURDER CHARGES – NOT GUILTY JURY VERDICT (April 2022, PHILA)

The Commonwealth alleged that Mr. Shelton shot and seriously injured a male in a bar in North Philadelphia called Circles. There was video of the shooting which happened outside the bar. However, Mr. Nenner presented witnesses who testified that the person in the bar...

MURDER, Robbery CHARGES – NOT GUILTY JURY VERDICT (MAY 2021, PHILA)

Mr. Nenner's client was charged with multiple crimes (murder, conspiracy, aggravated assault, robbery, etc.) after a shooting death occurred at a gambling house in North Philadelphia. At trial, Mr. Nenner successfully presented a self-defense argument and convinced...

MURDER CHARGE – NOT GUILTY JURY VERDICT (MAY 2021, PHILA)

Mr. Nenner’s client was charged with murder and gun charges in Philadelphia. The client was accused of shooting and killing another male on Arch Street near the 5600 block of Ithan Street in Philadelphia. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty after deliberating...

Drug Charges in Philadelphia PA State Court – Possession of a Controlled Substance

In most criminal drug cases in Philadelphia, there are two common charges or offenses: Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver. In addition to these drug charges, there are other drug related charges, such...

Drug Charges in Philadelphia PA State Court – What is “Possession”

Page last reviewed and updated: October 20, 2019 One of the most common types of criminal state (PA) cases in Philadelphia is possession of drugs. Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS) and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (PWID) often...

Pennsylvania Second Degree Murder (AKA: Felony Murder) Law

Philadelphia criminal lawyer David S. Nenner discusses the current status of second degree murder law in Pennsylvania. This is also known as the felony murder rule. Get info about PA court decisions and the agency theory. Not every case of death during the commission of a felony will result in a second degree murder conviction in PA.

Philadelphia Murder Cases – Police Investigation Tactics

Questioning Police Officer Tactics in Philadelphia Murder Cases Within the last 10 years, there have been several murder Philadelphia criminal cases in which the accused individuals were acquitted of the crimes. In these cases, the individuals spent months, if not...

Murder Charges in Pennsylvania – Murder Law in Pennsylvania

An explanation of Pennsylvania murder laws including Section 2502. What is murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree and murder in the third degree. Get a summary of the definitions under Pennsylvania criminal law.