AWARDS: $2,350,000 award to automobile accident wrongful death plaintiffs • jury acquittal – double criminal homicide • $1,000,000 award to motorcycle accident wrongful death plaintiffs • jury acquittal – criminal homicide • $465,000 award to medical malpractice plaintiff • jury acquittal – criminal homicide, recklessly endangering another person, neglect of a care dependent person • $325,000 federal jury verdict, UIM and insurance bad faith award to automobile accident plaintiffs • jury acquittal – attempted criminal homicide • $300,000 award to medical malpractice plaintiff • jury acquittal- attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon • $300,000 award to automobile accident/ products liability plaintiffs • jury acquittal – homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle DUI, aggravate assault by vehicle • $115,000 award to truck accident plaintiff • jury acquittal – murder, rape • $100,000 non-jury trial verdict to facial laceration plaintiff • jury acquittal – 1st degree Murder (capital case) • $90,000 award to premises liability/slip-and-fall plaintiff • jury acquittal – DUI, terroristic threats, carrying firearms without a license • $440,000 award to civil rights violation plaintiff • jury acquittal – theft, receiving stolen property • $135,000 award to civil rights violation plaintiff • jury acquittal – possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (PWI) • $636,000 jury verdict in plaintiffs’ medical malpractice case • jury acquittal – indecent assault, indecent exposure • $550,000 award in plaintiffs’ personal injury case • juvenile case acquittal- solicitation to commit aggravated assault, aggravated assault of unborn child • $250,000 award to mass transit accident plaintiff • jury acquittal – theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy • $130,000 award to premises liability/slip-and-fall plaintiffs • court-appointed appellate counsel – Supreme Court of Pennsylvania reversal of rape conviction • $465,000 award to automobile accident plaintiff • jury acquittal – aggravated assault • $125,000 award to automobile accident plaintiff • jury acquittal – DUI • non-jury acquittal – dismissal of armed robbery charges • $170,000 award to automobile accident plaintiffs • successful jury verdict in defense of attorney charged with legal malpractice in professional liability case • $140,000 award to injured bicyclist plaintiff • non-jury acquittal – dismissal of 2 counts of criminal homicide • $180,000 award to employment discrimination plaintiff • jury acquittal – indecent exposure • non-jury custody trial – award of primary physical and legal custody of minor to paternal grandparents over natural mother • juvenile decertification petition granted to criminal homicide charges – release at age 21 • non-jury custody trial – award of primary physical and legal custody of minor to father • jury acquittal – DUI • $90,000 award to automobile accident plaintiffs • non-jury custody trial – award of primary physical and legal custody of minor to mother • $50,000 jury verdict for plaintiff- passenger in automobile accident case • non-jury custody trial – award of primary physical and legal custody of minor to father • hung jury – Arson trial (no criminal punishment imposed) • $265,000 award to premises liability plaintiff • jury acquittal – delivery of a controlled substance • $125,000 award to premises liability plaintiff • jury acquittal – DUI • $190,000 award to products liability plaintiff • $150,000 award to premises liability/construction accident plaintiff • $750,000 award to prison medical malpractice and civil rights violation plaintiff • $90,000 award to automobile accident plaintiffs • $108,500 award to automobile accident plaintiff • $80,000 award to automobile accident plaintiff • $150,000 award to truck accident plaintiffs.
ATTORNEY DENNIS G. CHARLES IS RULE 801 CERTIFIED IN CAPITAL MURDER AND CRIMINAL HOMICIDE CASES.
In Pennsylvania, the offense known as “Criminal Homicide” includes the crimes of (a) Murder ( 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree) and (b) Manslaughter (Voluntary and Involuntary). A conviction of the crime of Murder of the First Degree carries with it the sentence of life imprisonment without parole or, in a capital murder case, the possibility of the death penalty.
Because of the serious consequences surrounding a conviction of Murder of the First Degree in a capital case, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania mandates that only attorneys who meet the experiential and educational criteria set forth in Rule 801 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure are permitted to participate in such cases as retained or appointed counsel.
What does it mean to be qualified under Rule 801?
Among the stringent experience and educational requirements to serve as defense counsel in capital cases, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania mandates that the defense counsel (1) be a member in good standing of the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; (2) be an active trial practitioner with not less than 5 years of criminal litigation experience; and (3) have served as lead or co-counsel in not less than 8 “significant” cases that resulted in jury deliberations. During the 3-year period immediately prior to his entry of appearance or appointment, counsel shall have completed not less than 18 hours of training pertaining to capital case representation, as approved by the Pennsylvania (CLE) Continuing Legal Education Board including the following training in:
Attorney Dennis G. Charles is Rule 801 Certified in Capital Murder and Criminal Homicide Cases by Virtue of His Extensive Legal Training and Trial Experience
Attorney Dennis G. Charles of the Charles Law Offices, by virtue of his extensive legal training, knowledge and trial experience, is qualified under Rule 801 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure to serve as lead counsel in capital murder cases. Since his admission to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1979, Attorney Charles has served as lead counsel in numerous criminal homicide cases, including capital murder cases, and has an outstanding record of success.
In his nearly 40 years of trial experience, Attorney Charles has successfully presented and cross-examined forensic experts in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, mental health, firearms, tool and dye, ballistics, internal medicine, forensic pathology, toxicology, DNA, blood splattering, accident reconstruction, engineering, and other forensic disciplines.
Attorney Dennis G. Charles IS HIGHLY SKILLED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS
Among his numerous criminal homicide acquittals, Attorney Charles achieved a Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity (NGRI) jury verdict and received national media coverage in a criminal homicide case involving a juvenile accused of murdering his parents. He is the only attorney in the history of Lehigh County to achieve multiple Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) jury acquittals in criminal cases and has been featured on nationally syndicated and regional television programs, including the Arts & Entertainment Network television program “American Justice,” Court TV, the Lifetime Movie Network television program “Killer Kids,” and AM Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Inquirer Newspaper featured Attorney Charles in a front page article entitled “Insanity on Defense.”
Attorney Charles is also thoroughly trained and experienced in the law of self-defense, justification, and lack of specific intent to kill, and has achieved multiple complete acquittals in homicide cases, or a reduction of the grade of criminal homicide, which greatly reduces the possible criminal sentence.
If you are facing capital murder or criminal homicide charges, contact veteran criminal defense attorney Dennis G. Charles of the Charles Law Offices for a consultation about your legal options. Attorney Charles will work closely with you, and will zealously protect and defend your legal rights at every stage of your case to achieve the best possible outcome.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with a lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the attorneys at Charles Law Offices.
A Family History of Devotion to
Law and Public Service
Law and Public Service
The Charles Brothers’ devotion to the law is derived from a family history in the legal system and of service to others. Their father, Charles “Chink” Charles (depicted in the lower left-hand corner of the photograph) held a 35 year career in law enforcement, and was selected to serve as the personal bodyguard for former United States Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard M. Nixon and Lyndon B. Johnson during their campaign visits to Allentown.
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