Philip Friedman - Attorney at Law
17 West 10th Street
Erie, PA 16512
Phone: 814-453-3343
Areas Of Practice:
- Litigation & Appeals
- Criminal Law
- DUI / DWI
- Homicide by Motor Vehicle
- Drug Cases
- Homicide
- Personal Injury - Plaintiff
- Medical Malpractice
- Motor Vehicle Accidents (automobiles, motorcycles, trucks)
- Death Cases
- Commercial Litigation
- Federal Civil Cases
- Federal Criminal Cases
- Professional Disciplinary Actions
- First Amendment Cases
Websites
Philip B. Friedman has been practicing law since 1978. He is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and New York. Mr. Friedman is a past president of the Erie County Bar Association. He is also a past chairman of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice and as a member of the House of Delegates of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Mr. Friedman is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is a lecturer on topics involving civil and criminal litigation. Mr. Friedman was named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer from 2004-Present.
Litigation Percentage: 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions: Pennsylvania, 1978; New York, 1988: U.S. Supreme Court, 1986; U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1979; U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1985; U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1991; U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 1998; U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania, 1979; U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1994; U.S. District Court District of Nebraska, 1998; U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas, 1991; U.S. District Court Western District of Arkansas, 1991; U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 1999; U.S. District Court Western District of New York, 2004
Education: University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1978
J.D.Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, Pennsylvania, 1975
B.A.; Major: Political Science
Representative Cases: Paps A.M. v. City of Erie, 812 A. 2d 591 (Pa. 2002)
P.J.S. v. Pa.State Ethics Commission, 723 A.2d 174 (Pa. 1999)
Classes/Seminars Taught:
CLE Courses, Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1985 - Present
CLE Courses, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, 1987 - Present
CLE Courses, Erie County Bar Association, 1983 - Present
Professional Associations and Memberships:
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court Criminal Procedural Rules Committee, 2002 - Present
- Erie County Bar Association, 1997
President
- American College of Trial Lawyers
Fellow
- Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1994 - 1995
Chairman
- Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1993 - 1994
Vice Chairman
- Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1992 - 1993
Chairman, Rules Committee
- Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1995 - 1996
Chairman, Rules Committee
- Judicial Evaluation Commission, 1997 - 1998
Member
- Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1999 - Present
Member, Task Force on Civil Justice Coalition
- Erie Day School, 1998 - Present
Board of Trustees
- Millcreek Community Hospital, 1990 - 1995
Board of Corporators
- Erie Millennium Commission, 2000 - 2001
- American Inns of Court, 1996 - 2002
Master
- American Trial Lawyers Association
Member
- Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Member
- New York Bar Association
Member
- Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association
Member, Board of Governors
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
Member, House of Delegates
Pro Bono Activities:
Erie County Bar Association LAVA Program, 1985 - Present
Birth Information:
1953, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, United States of America
What Happens To DUI Offenders in Pennsylvania?
There are now three levels of DUI in the state of Pennsylvania. The DUI laws of Pennsylvania create a higher set of penalties for those having higher BAC levels. It allows for treatment at all levels, and requires alcohol highway safety school for all first and second time offender
The 3 Levels are:
- General Impairment (.08 to .099% BAC)
- High BAC (.10 to .159% BAC)
- Highest BAC (.16% and higher)
Note: Under the DUI law minors, commercial drivers, school vehicle or bus drivers, and offenders involved in an accident that injures someone or causes property damage may be subject to the high BAC penalties even if their BAC is not in the high category. Offenders who refuse breath or chemical testing may be subject to the highest BAC penalties.
The following show the penalties for each of the BAC level:
Level One (Undetermined BAC, .08 to .099% BAC)
No prior DUI offenses
- Upgraded Misdemeanor
- Up to 6 months probation
- $300 fine
- Alcohol highway safety school
- Treatment when ordered
With 1 prior DUI offense
- Upgraded Misdemeanor
- 12 month license suspension
- 5 days to 6 months jail time
- $300 to $2,500 fine
- Alcohol highway safety school
- Treatment when ordered
- 1 year ignition interlock
2 or more prior DUI offenses
- 2nd degree misdemeanor
- 12 month license suspension
- 10 days to 2 years prison
- $500 to $5,000 fine
- treatment when ordered
- 1 year ignition interlock
High BAC penalties (.10 to .159% BAC)
No prior DUI offenses
- Upgraded misdemeanor
- 12 month license suspension
- 48 hours to 6 months prison
- $500 to $5,000 fine
- Alcohol highway safety school
- Treatment when ordered
1 prior DUI offense
- Upgraded misdemeanor
- 12 month suspension
- 30 days to 6 months prison
- $750 to $5,000 fine
- Alcohol highway safety school
- Treatment when ordered
- 1 year ignition interlock
2 or more prior DUI offenses
- 1st degree misdemeanor
- 18 month license suspension
- 90 days to 5 years prison
- $1,500 to $10,000 fine
- Treatment when ordered
- 1 year ignition interlock
3 or more prior DUI offenses
- 1st degree misdemeanor
- 18 month license suspension
- 1 to 5 years prison
- $1,500 to $10,000 fine
- Treatment when ordered
- 1 year ignition interlock
High BAC penalties (.10 to .159% BAC)
No prior DUI offenses
- Ungraded misdemeanor
- 12 month license suspension
- 48 hours to 6 months prison
- $500 to $5,000 fine
- Alcohol highway safety school
- Treatment when ordered
1 prior DUI offense
- Ungraded misdemeanor
- 12 month suspension
- 30 days to 6 months prison
- $750 to $5,000 fine
- Alcohol highway safety school
- Treatment when ordered
- 1 year ignition interlock
2 or more prior DUI offenses
- 1st degree misdemeanor
- 18 month license suspension
- 90 days to 5 years prison
- $1,500 to $10,000 fine
- Treatment when ordered
- 1 year ignition interlock
3 or more prior DUI offenses
- 1st degree misdemeanor
- 18 month license suspension
- 1 to 5 years prison
- $1,500 to $10,000 fine
- Treatment when ordered
- 1 year ignition interlock
The following outlines specific components of the law.
Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Requires courts to impose suspensions for BAC ARDs based on the following BAC ranges:
- Less than .10% - no suspension,
- .10% to less than .16 - 30 day suspension, or
- .16% and above - 60 day suspension
License Suspensions
Suspensions will be imposed as follows:
- BAC below .10% and incapable of safe driving:
- No suspension for first offense if the driver meets certain criteria;
- 12 month license suspension for second or subsequent offense.
- BAC greater than or equal to .10% and less than .16%:
- 12 month license suspension for first and second offense.
- 18 month suspension for third or subsequent offense.
- BAC greater than or equal to .16%:
- 12 month license suspension for first offense.
- 18 month suspension for second or subsequent offense.
- Out-of-state DUI convictions:
- No suspension for first offense; 12 month license
- suspension for second or subsequent offense
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- TYPE OF CASES OUR FIRM HANDLES
I handle many types of cases to bench and jury trials including DUI, Criminal and Traffic.
- WE THINK YOU SHOULD HIRE US IF:
You want a lawyer who will personally handle your file and will be available for consultation afternoons, evenings and weekends. I will fairly evaluate your case and determine the most favorable course. I will not hesitate to go to trial on your case; that decision, however, will ultimately be yours.
- OUR FIRM IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOU IF:
You are looking for a lawyer who will only tell you what you want to hear. I will work with you to honestly assess the facts of the case.
- IF YOU WANT TO TELL OUR LAW FIRM ABOUT YOUR SITUATION YOU SHOULD:
I personally communicate with you whenever possible. If I am in Court when you call, you can leave a message with my secretary or on my voicemail. I personally guarantee you will hear back from me in 24-hours, or less - most often, much less. My office phone is (814) 453-3343 or email at pfriedman@crfwlaw.com
- THE TYPICAL COST TO GET US TO START WORKING ON YOUR CASE IS:
The cost varies depending on the allegation and facts of the case. A fee will be quoted at our initial consultation.
- OUR CLIENTS WILL TELL YOU THAT:
My level of experience, knowledge of the law, and personal familiarity with the judges, prosecutors, and system is a great advantage. In addition my personal and regular contact with clients, availability and involvement with every aspect of the case bring the most favorable results.
- OUR PHILOSOPHY ON HOW WE APPROACHÂ OUR CASES IS:
Depending on the type of case I like to find out as much as I can about the facts of the case and talk to anyone who can help our defense. At that time we can discuss our options. The stronger our defense appears to the prosecutor, the better our chances are of getting a favorable result.
- IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR FIRM YOU SHOULD:
During our free initial consultation I will answer any questions. Please call (814) 453-3343.