William V. Peters

Criminal Defense Process

The Reality of Criminal Defense: A "Victory" is not as cut and dry as the client in trouble may want to hear. If it’s possible to clear your name, the Peters Law Firm will do it. However, often the situation is not so cut and dry, and if you want an honest, forthright, passionate, hardworking attorney and team who will do everything within the realm of the law to clear your name, Attorney Peters and his team is the firm for you to call in that dark hour.

There is no "wink-wink", "we’ll take care of you, buddy" charade with us – it is not in our DNA to feed you a line of promises knowing we cannot deliver: we are about the facts and the honest possible outcomes.

We will educate you, learn from you and together choose the best path in which to proceed. When your case is completed, you will know that every thing that could have been done was done, every stone was overturned and every avenue was explored. We take great pride in the results.

DUI Defense Process

The law on DUI is constantly evolving. You need to hire a lawyer to defend you in the event that you get a DUI. THERE ARE OPTIONS that exist that you will not hear about unless you hire someone who has experience handling DUIs.

• Being stopped and suspected of driving under the influences is scary and humiliating. Many times you will be treated like a common criminal.
• If you are suspected of DUI, you will most likely be given Field Sobriety Tests such as the Walk & Turn, the One Leg Stand, the Horizontal Eye Nystagmus and/or a Portable Breath Test.
• At the booking center, police station or hospital, you will be given those tests again, and have your blood drawn or asked to submit to a breath test.
• By having a license, it is “implied” that you will consent to providing a breath or blood sample.
• If you refuse and proper procedures are followed, you will lose your license for 1 year simply for refusing, irrespective of the outcome on the issue of guilt of the DUI. And, your refusal can be used against you at a trial on the DUI. The license suspension for the refusal is in addition to any license suspension that results from the disposition on the DUI.
• If you are detected to be "under the influence," you will most likely be detained until you are sober or until someone sober provides you a ride home.
• If you are suspected of driving "under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance", you will be officially charged anywhere from immediately to days, weeks or even months after the stop depending on the practices of the jurisdiction in which you were stopped.
• NOW IS WHEN YOU NEED US!
• Call us!

In our initial consultation we will review your options and the possible outcomes so that you go forward prepared and armed with the facts and the best representation possible. We make sure the "stop" is legal; If proper procedures are NOT followed, everything that follows can be thrown out and you may be able to walk away not guilty.

We’ll make the prosecution work hard for a conviction, and where necessary, negotiate the best resolution for your case. We will look at A.R.D. as an alternative and attempt to provide you with as many options as there exist.

There are complexities to DUI that the average citizen and non-specialist attorney are unaware. The laws and regulations regarding DUI are always evolving. We know the options and possibilities; we will look at your case on an individual basis and will work to get you the optimum result.

Personal Injury Process

Our initial consultation for Personal Injury cases is at no charge.

We determine Causation – whose fault was it, and Damages – what you get paid to compensate for pain and suffering and lost wages.

There are clear-cut cases, such as vehicular accidents where one party is rear ended, but there are also cases where liability is questionable. Our legal team understands the complexities of Personal Injury Law and will fight to make you whole again.

We deal with the Insurance companies on a regular basis, and we hold them accountable, and get you the best result. TALK TO US BEFORE YOU SPEAK TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY.

In Personal Injury cases, no fees are paid by our clients until the case is won.

REAL ESTATE

Are you buying, selling or refinancing a commercial or residential property? We will provide all closing services and provide answers and get results regarding any legal issues. Please call or contact us today.

We assist our clients in a number of areas.

• Purchases and Sales
• Negotiation and review of Gas Leases
• Development of Raw Land
• Construction Litigation
• Solving the inevitable and unexpected problems that arise with home ownership and real estate holdings.

Let our Title Insurance Closing Company handle your property transaction.

Choose your own title insurance company!

We will conduct the title search, prepare all necessary closing documents and conduct the closing for you and with you. With P.R.E.S.S., Inc., you will have the benefit of not having to hire or pay for a lawyer! Yet, if and only if, you need a lawyer, you can retain The Peters Law Firm to step in and handle any legal issues that arise.

Please call or contact our Title Insurance Closing Company – Peters Real Estate Settlement Services, Inc. at 570-585-8800 or PRESS@epix.net

Family Law

Divorce, Child Support and Child Custody

Family Law covers some of the most emotionally sensitive areas of our lives, and can often result in severe emotional strain on all involved. Our expert team will give you the best legal representation working vigorously to secure the best results for our clients. We will resolve issues of Equitable Distribution, Child Custody, Child Support, Alimony and Spousal Support.

Business Law

We provide legal counsel and advice on the formation of all types of Businesses and Partnership agreements. We provide legal advice on what you must consider before embarking into partnerships and/or other business structures. In most instances, it is necessary for us to work with your accountant to provide the best possible advice for your business needs. To that end, we will counsel you and prepare:

• Incorporations and L.L.C.s
• General or Limited Partnerships
• Contract Formation, review and consultation
• Shareholder Agreements
• Membership Agreements
• Bylaws
• Corporate Minutes

We also provide proven counsel and litigation services in the event of a Partnership Dissolutions or Business Dissolutions.

Wills/Power of Attorneys/Living Wills

If nothing else, take care of your legal affairs and your family. Have a Will prepared to set forth who gets your property and who will raise your children. The process can be disheartening, but it doesn’t have to be.

We will make this necessary process as seamless and easy as possible to ensure that your family is protected and your wishes are followed.

Gas Leases

The Marcellas Shale Gas boon has hit Pennsylvania. Before you sign a gas or mineral lease, gain the knowledge necessary to protect your rights. Consult an experienced gas and mineral lease attorney to review all paperwork associated with the deal. Whether your negotiating by yourself or with a group, we can help. Let our team guide and assist you in the negotiations of the lease. Remember, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” – call us before you sign. The terms of the lease are critical. We can help you negotiate the best price per acre. Signing a lease with a gas company allows the gas company to have certain rights to your property. Make sure you know what those rights are and make sure you don’t give away too much. We can assist you in negotiating:

• What it is that you are leasing
• The up-front bonus price
• Royalty payments
• Payments for pumping stations
• Payments for pipeline placed on or under your property
• Production cost deductions
• Term of your lease
• Title issues and clauses
• Renewal clauses in your lease, i.e. extension clauses
• Price for renewal
• Drilling delay rental
• Terms for auditing to determine actual production
• Free gas
• The Addendum
• Storage
• Shut-in clauses
• Use of your land for structures, roads, wells, distance from your house, barriers, etc.
• Indemnification
• Hunting rights during hunting season
• Water usage and water quality including water testing
• A Pugh Clause
• Taxes and the affects on such things as "Clean and Green"
• Most Favored Nation Clause
• Returning the property to its natural state
• Restoration
• Jurisdiction to handle disputes
• Arbitration Clauses

Every lease has its nuances and even if you have the best lease, disputes can occur. Contact the Peters Law Firm for accomplished advice and representation. Whether you need our service to negotiate terms or to litigate issues when there is a dispute, we will provide proven counsel and litigation service.