Case Summaries

If you are interested in learning more about some of the past cases our firm has handled, please see the case summaries detailed, below.

If you have questions for our criminal defense attorney, please contact the Law Offices of Patrick F. Lauer, Jr. LLC in Camp Hill or Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Commonwealth v. M.B. (2023)

Being accused of setting a fire to a residential building, Defendant was charged with Arson and Risking a Catastrophe in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Attorney Patrick Lauer attacked the eye-witness identification at the Preliminary Hearing and all criminal charges were dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing. Not only was Defendant potentially facing years in state prison, but he was also on state parole and potentially facing years for a violation due to incurring these new charges.

Commonwealth v. R

In 2023 the Defendant was charged with Possession of Child Pornography in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The Defendant was represented by Attorney Lauer in Dauphin County as was successful in obtaining a probationary sentence for the Defendant. The Defendant was originally looking at a state prison sentence.

Commonwealth v. J — 2015 — Competency

In January 2015, the defendant was having a psychiatric episode in the home that he shared with his parents. The defendant was born with numerous medical issues, particularly brain injuries which resulted in diminished learning capacities.

Defendant’s parents called for an ambulance but the police showed up instead. The police did not have any direct knowledge of the defendant or his mental deficiencies and ordered the defendant to go to the ground. The police and the defendant then ended up in a scuffle where the defendant was ultimately tased and subsequently charged with the felony of aggravated assault and was taken to jail.

Attorney Lauer represented the defendant for this matter AND FILED A MOTION TO DISMISS THE CHARGES BASED UPON THE DEFENDANT BEING INCOMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL. All charges were later dismissed as the court did in fact find the defendant incompetent.

Commonwealth v. O — 2015 — DUS

Defendant was operating his vehicle in Cumberland County, PA with a suspended license for a DUI conviction. Attorney Lauer represented the defendant at the preliminary hearing and was able to reduce the charges to driving without a license. The defendant ultimately avoided jail as well as an additional one year loss of his drivers license.

Commonwealth v. JO — 2015 — Aggravated Assault

Defendant was charged in Dauphin County, PA for aggravated assault. Attorney Lauer represented the defendant at the preliminary hearing and the felony assault charge was withdrawn. The charges were eventually reduced to summary harassment. The defendant avoided any felony or misdemeanor convictions.

Commonwealth v. S — 2015 — DUS

Defendant was stopped for speeding and the police learned his license was under suspension for a DUI conviction. Defendant was facing an additional one year loss of his license and a minimum of sixty (60) days in jail. Attorney Lauer had the defendant’s charges reduced to driving without a license.

Commonwealth v S — 2015 — Handgun

Defendant attempted to purchase a handgun at a sporting goods store in Camp Hill, PA. Defendant failed to answer all the questions correctly and was charged with knowingly making false statements to obtain a firearm, a Felony of the Third Degree. Defendant was also charged with a misdemeanor for unsworn falsification. Attorney Lauer represented the defendant at the preliminary hearing and the charges were reduced to a summary disorderly conduct.

Commonwealth v. A S — 2015 — Speeding

Defendant was stopped for traveling 75mph in a posted 55mph zone. Attorney Lauer was successful in getting the speeding charge dismissed.

Commonwealth v. JT — 2015 — DUS

Defendant was stopped for speeding in Cumberland County, PA while he was under a one year suspension for other previous infractions. Attorney Lauer was successful in getting the charge reduced to §1501, driving without a license.

Commonwealth v. S — 2015 — Pornography

Defendant was charged with several felony charges for allegedly videotaping minor children while they were undressing in his home; the children were his daughter and step-daughter who were always in trouble at school and for stealing. Defendant wanted to keep an eye on the children to see what they were doing in their bedrooms and had absolutely no intent to videotape them for sexual purposes. Both girls reported the incident to their mother and the defendant was subsequently charged and was facing years in jail. Attorney Lauer represented the defendant in negotiations and was able to get the charges reduced. Defendant was charged with probation.

Commonwealth v. J — 2015 — Theft

Defendant was charged with a felony for stealing $15,000.000 from a local bank. Attorney Lauer represented the defendant and was successful in getting the charges reduced and defendant received probation.

Commonwealth v. Z — 2015 — Felony Theft

Defendant worked for a local school district in Cumberland County, PA and was accused of stealing a substantial amount of copper. Defendant was ultimately charged with a felony but Attorney Lauer was successful in getting the defendant admitted into ARD and having the charges expunged.

Commonwealth v. J — 2016 — Fleeing and Eluding

Defendant was stopped for a violation by state police and was told to remain in his vehicle. Defendant later drove away and was followed by police for six (6) miles with their lights and sirens on. Attorney Lauer fought the fleeing charge arguing that the defendant thought he was free to go. All charged were dismissed.