Joseph Alexander Paletta | Attorney

Mr. Joseph Alexander Paletta

Mr. Joseph Alexander Paletta

Criminal, Traffic, DUI-DWI, Nursing Home, Nursing & Medical License Defense, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled Substance

Experience: 39 years
Language(s): English

Top Local Lawyers

About Joseph

I am Joseph Paletta, a veteran attorney having represented more than 10,000 clients in over 25 years of experience as a trial lawyer. Whether your issue is a drug or D.U.I. arrest, let me be the "Solution to your Legal Problem".

In addition to helping licensed professionals such as Doctors, Nurses and other Lawyers with legal problems which could have jeopardized their ability to graduate or proceed to post-graduate studies, our office also offers "Expungement" services which means clearing ones criminal record, which can be significant for those seeking a career which may require criminal background checks.  These careers may include opportunities in the financial area such as banking and accounting, law, and the medical field.

I understand how important it is for my clients to receive the best possible outcome available and one that will not damage their record. For this reason, I work closely with my clients to develop a strategy that will assist us in achieving an outcome most favorable to them.

Time is of the essence, so you must contact me immediately to discuss your case.

Free consultation (30 minutes) Payment types: Cash, Check, Credit card

Experience

Business Owner

Joseph A. Paletta, Esq.

1985 - Present

General Trial Counsel

Allegheny County Office Of The Public Defender

1985 - Present

Arbitration Board Member

Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County Pennsylvania

1990 - 2005

Special Master Appt. by USDC Judge Alan N. Bloch

United States District Court for The Western Dist. of Pennsylvania

1987 - 1987

Admission

Verified Pennsylvania

1986

Education

Duquesne University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor (Law)

1985

Washington and Lee University

BA - Bachelor of Arts (European History)

1982

Recognitions & Achievements

Associations
  • Allegheny County Bar Assoc., Criminal Litigation Section-Executive Council
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys-Founding Member
  • Association of Trial Lawyers of America
    1987 - 1988
Honors / Awards
  • Top 10 Best Criminal Law Attorneys for Client Satisfaction-American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
    2016
  • Top 10 Best Criminal Law Firms for Client Satisfaction-American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
    2015
  • Top 10 Best Criminal Law Attorneys for Client Satisfaction-American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
    2015
  • BV Rated-Martindale-Hubbell
    2015
  • Top 100 Criminal Lawyers in the State of Pennsylvania-American Society of Legal Advocates
    2015
  • Top Lawyer Continental Who's Who
    2015 / 2015
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers-The National Trial Lawyers
    2014
  • Top 10 Best Criminal Law Attorneys for Client Satisfaction-American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
    2014
  • BV Rated-Martindale-Hubbell
    2014
  • Top 100 DUI Attorneys in the State of Pennsylvania-National Advocacy for DUI Defense
    2014
  • Top 100 Criminal Lawyers In The State of Pennsylvania-American Society of Legal Advocates
    2014
  • Top 100 DUI Attorneys in the State of Pennsylvania-National Advocacy for DUI Defense
    2013
  • BV Rated-Martindale-Hubbell
    2013
  • Top 100 Criminal Lawyers In The State of Pennsylvania-American Society of Legal Advocates
    2013
  • BV Rated-Martindale-Hubbell
    2012
  • Certificate of Good Standing-Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
    2012
  • Certificate of Training-Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing
    2011
  • FBI Citizens' Academy-U.S. Department of Justice
    2008

Notable Work

Cases

Commonwealth v. D.D.

Defendant charged with violating Title 75 §3365 §§B - SPEEDING IN SCHOOL ZONE Disposition: Defendant accepted a Plea Bargain to violating § 3111 - Obedience to traffic-control devices, which carried no points. In exchange, the violation at §3365§§B was Withdrawn.

Commonwealth v. R.R.

Client was charged with: 75§3714 §§A – Careless Driving - Summary 75 §3745 - Leaving Scene of Accident - Summary Disposition: Attorney Paletta filed a Conviction Appeal for the two above referenced charges. If found guilty on these two charges, Defendant would incur a suspension of their drivers license due to the assignment of points for these charges exceeding the number of points allowed. In order to avoid a license suspension, a plea to an offense carrying no points or a not-guilty disposition for these two charges is necessary. Following the conclusion of the Summary Appeal Hearing, Defendant was found Not Guilty on all charges and Defendant was no longer in jeopardy of incurring a license suspension.

Commonwealth v. V.L.

Client was charged with violating Title 75 §1543 §§B1 – (Driving License Suspended/Revoked (DUI related) - as a Summary offense. Following Defendant's Summary Trial, Defendant plead Guilty to a lesser charge - of violating §1543 §§A - Driving While Operating Privileges are Suspended/Revoked, which unlike the original violation charged, carried no jail time.

Commonwealth v. L.K. (DUI - 2nd Offense)

Client was charged with numerous offenses including Violation of Title 75 §3802 §§A1 (DUI: Gen Imp/Inc of Driving Safely) as a Misdemeanor, 75 §3301 §§D2 (DUI: Controlled Substance – Impaired Ability) as a Misdemeanor, 75 §3714 §§A(Careless Driving) as a Summary, 75 §3802 §§A1 (Reckless Driving) as a Summary offense. Case Facts: Police arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle accident in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and observe Defendant in an ambulance. Defendant was transported to the hospital where asked to submit to a blood draw, which was refused. Upon being released from the hospital, Defendant was immediately arrested for Driving Under the Influence, transported to the police station and administered the Field Sobriety Tests. Defendant, already having an active DUI case, faced penalties for a Second Offense, in addition to a 1 year license suspension if found guilty. Verdict: Attorney Paletta presented a Motion to Suppress, alleging that the arrest of Defendant was made without a warrant, Probable Cause or exigent circumstances. The Judge GRANTED Attorney Paletta’s Motion to Suppress with respect to all DUI charges. The Commonwealth filed a Petition for Partial Nolle Prosse. ALL DUI CHARGES AGAINST DEFENDANT WERE NOLLE-PROSSED/ WITHDRAWN. DEFENDANT PLEAD GUILTY TO THE CARELESS DRIVING – SUMMARY OFFENSE. With these charges Withdrawn, Defendant was now eligible for admission into the A.R.D. program on the previous (First) DUI case.

Commonwealth v. D.H. (DRUG CHARGES)

Client was charged with numerous Drug Charges including...2 counts of Manufacture, Delivery or Possession with Intent to Deliver as Felony offenses and 1 count of Possession of a Controlled Substance charged as a Misdemeanor. With the use of a Confidential Informant, Police allege that Defendant was involved in activity related to the above charges. The Commonwealth DISMISSED their case against Defendant and ALL CHARGES WERE NOLLE PROSSED. Defendant was not convicted of any crime.

Commonwealth v. R.P.

Client Charged with: Attempt to Commit the Crime of Criminal Homicide – Murder 2 counts - Agg. Assault with Firearm (Handgun) – Felony 5 counts – Misdemeanors Defendant was alleged to have shot the victim two times at close range with the intent to kill or cause serious bodily injury. Following a Non-Jury Trial before the Honorable Anthony M. Mariani, Defendant was found NOT GUILTY of Murder - Attempt to Commit Criminal Homicide, Aggravated Assault (intentionally causing injury with a firearm), NOT GUILTY of Robbery using a firearm, GUILTY of Aggravated Assault by recklessly causing serious bodily injury using a firearm, and GUILTY of Misdemeanor crimes. Sentencing has been scheduled for sometime in October 2012.

Publications


Interview with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Pittsburgh defense attorneys question Sandusky strategy

2012


Trib Live-Munhall contractor is accused of fraud

2012


Pittsburgh Post Gazette-Judge: Greenfield man’s sentence for shooting ex-girlfriend not deserved

2012


Pittsburgh Post Gazette-Former Pittsburgh science teacher pleads guilty in robberies

2011


Pittsburgh Post Gazette-Ex-FrankliRegional teacher denies he sent texts to teen

2011


WPXI-West Deer Man To Stand Trial For ATV Accident

2009


TribLive-Probe: Deals cost department $175K

2007


Pittsburgh Post Gazette The Year In Quotes

2007 / 2007


Pittsburgh Post Gazette-Tape roils a Fayette municipal authority

2007


Pittsburgh Post Gazette-Officials ignored volatile situation in arena deal

2007


Pittsburgh Post Gazette-Briefs: Police officer taken to hospital after crash

2006


Pittsburgh Post Gazette-Briefs: Man gets two to five years in gunfight death

2005


Pittsburgh Post Gazette-Beaver Falls Builder Facing Fraud Charges

2003


Pittsburgh Post Gazette        LINCOLN-LEMINGTON: Murder sentencing

2003


Post Gazette-Juvenile Court Journal: A little lie tears a girl from her dad

2002


Pittsburgh Post-Gazette        Penn Hills couple pleads guilty in embezzlement of $1.6 million

2000


Post-Gazette-Jury clears man who gave near-fatal dose of heroin

1999


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