I was fortunate to serve as an Assistant District Attorney in Erie County from August 2009 until January 2015. In that position, among numerous other duties and experiences, I prosecuted approximately sixty jury trials to verdict, securing conviction in a high percentage of cases. These jury trials consisted of defendants charged with, among other more minor offenses, Homicide, Robbery, Firearm Possession, Felony Drug Possession and Delivery, Burglary, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Theft and Driving Under the Influence.
While serving as a prosecutor I held a primary role in the Erie County Gun Task Force, I handled a high percentage of the felony drug cases, and I interacted on a daily basis with all members of law enforcement and the judiciary at both the Magisterial District Judge and Common Pleas Court level. This significant and detailed experience as a prosecutor has allowed me to get tremendous results for my clients because, quite frankly, I’ve been in the shoes of the representative from the Commonwealth. This gives me tremendous insight into the appropriate approach regardless of the unique circumstances of your case.
This experience also allowed me the opportunity to join Gene Placidi and Jeff Veitch as a criminal defense attorney at Melaragno, Placidi, Parini & Veitch in January 2015. I have since moved on and created my own criminal practice, Panighetti’s Law. Since leaving the District Attorney’s Office, I have served as a criminal defense attorney in Erie, Crawford, Warren and Mercer counties. In that capacity I have defended numerous clients facing felonies relating to a variety of charges including but not limited to gun and drug possession, aggravated assault, and theft.
I have also successfully defended clients facing misdemeanors such as simple assault, terroristic threats and driving under the influence. In many circumstances I have also represented clients charged in the summary cases of underage drinking, harassment, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and driving while suspended.
This wide array of cases coupled with my extensive experience as a prosecutor put a unique skill set and combination of experience at my fingertips when representing future clients. I hope one of those future clients is you.
Be sure to take a moment to review the page relating to the specific offense you are charged with as well as the Criminal Law Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s).
If you need a criminal defense attorney in Erie, PA, contact me on 814-806-6385 or send an email on justin@panighettilaw.com.
