Family Law

• Divorce
  By its very nature, divorce is an emotional and stressful undertaking. The complexity of a divorce case is only intensified when a couple has children, significant assets, or debts. Whether you anticipate a collaborative divorce, or a contested divorce, you should
• Child Support
  Are all debts discharged in a Chapter 7? - No, not all debts can be discharged in a Chapter 7. While a debtor can usually discharge unsecured debts such as credit cards, personal loans and medical bills, a debtor cannot discharge debts for child support, spousal support, court-ordered fines, recent taxes, victim restitution and certain student loans.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  Can I lose my kids if I'm convicted of domestic violence? - It depends on the circumstances but in some cases it can happen. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for spouses to falsely accuse their other spouse of child abuse or spousal abuse in a heated divorce or child custody battle. If you have been accused of family violence, you need a lawyer right away.
• Paternity
• Spousal Support
  Are you facing a family law matter such as divorce, child custody disputes, or alimony modifications? It is crucial for you to retain skillful representation for your situation in order to effectively pursue the results that you need. I am Curtis E. Barnes, Attorney at Law, and I have been serving the residents of Reading, Pennsylvania for a number of years. With more than two decades of legal experience, I understand the various issues that can arise in divorce cases and family court matters and I know how to effectively put my experience to work for my clients.
• Annulment
• Child Abuse

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  I am Curtis E. Barnes, Attorney at Law, and I have a reputation for providing excellent representation for my clients, as well as engaging in skillful practice amongst my peers and the local judges and courts. In criminal defense, it's not only what you know, it's who you know. I have three years of experience as an assistant district attorney and 18 years of experience defending the rights of the criminally accused. I have a reputation for success, and when you choose to work with me, you will have access to my skill, experience, and the benefits of my highly regarded reputation.
• DUI/DWI
  If law enforcement suspects that a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they may choose to conduct field sobriety tests. These are often used to find probable cause for an arrest or to determine if there is a chance that the driver is intoxicated. There are standardized field sobriety tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as well as non- standardized tests that are used. The results of these tests are often used as evidence to convict a driver of a DUI offense. Unfortunately, the reliability and validity of these tests are not always accurate and can result in conviction of innocent people. With the help of a skilled DUI attorney in Reading, you can defend against the results of a field sobriety test and avoid a DUI conviction. Need a lawyer for your DUI case in Reading? I am Curtis E. Barnes, Attorney at Law and I have helped countless individuals facing DUI charges after performance on field sobriety tests, I can help you!
• Traffic Violations
  There are many various laws and ordinances regarding speed limits and traffic patterns on the road. A violation of these laws can result in a citation, which requires a fine to be paid and may carry other penalties. If you have been cited for a traffic offense, then you need to understand that you are not immediately required to pay the ticket. A traffic ticket is essentially a criminal charge, and paying the ticket is the same as pleading guilty. You can fight the ticket by retaining aggressive advocacy and challenging the validity of the charges. Need an attorney for a traffic violation case in Reading? Contact my firm for the help that you need.
• Sex Crimes
  Obviously, convictions of sex crimes can carry lengthy prison terms. But the newly enacted requirements of Megan's Law for convicted sexual offenders can irreversibly change your life, and deprive you of some of the most basic liberties that we all enjoy as citizens of the United States. Even after serving a term in prison, registering as a sex offender under the new law can result in residency restrictions, loss of employment, the loss of your ability to live with your children, GPS monitoring of your every movement, loss of the right to use the internet, ostracism by your community and friends. The new law requires all convicted offenders to register with a state database that is freely accessible by the public. The state has in some cases required offenders to register even when their plea agreement specifically stated that one would not have to register as a sex offender.
• Fraud
  There are several different types of fraud that would qualify as a white collar crime. Credit card fraud, healthcare fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, securities fraud and insurance fraud are just a few. Any of these crimes hold strict criminal penalties that could affect the rest of your life. Fines and jail time are not the only consequences at risk. Being convicted of a white collar crime could taint your reputation as a business person and ruin your future career. Fight against your charges and avoid the many consequences that a conviction can bring by teaming up the best criminal attorney in Reading!
• Robbery
  Robbery crimes can vary between third degree, second degree and first degree felonies depending on the details of the offense. Generally this crime is a third degree felony that is punishable by a prison sentence of up to seven years. If; however, the offense resulted in bodily injury to the victim, second degree felony charges may follow. A second degree felony is punishable by a prison sentence of up to 10 years. If the offense results in serious bodily injury or involves a motor vehicle with a victim in the vehicle, a first degree felony may be charged. First degree felonies are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
• Burglary
  In the state of Pennsylvania, burglary involves a person going into a building or even a part of a building, unlawfully, with the intention of committing a crime. This clearly does not include buildings that are open to the public at the time that the person entered. The entering the premises part of the statute is the simpler one to prove, the part that makes this crime complex is proving the individual's intent. There must have been an intent to commit a crime inside the building, whether it is theft or any other offense. The fact that the crime does not actually have to take place to be charged with burglary, brings subjectivity into these criminal cases. Even if the crime did not occur, the intent is enough for a conviction. Another complicated part of these statutes is that the defendant does not have to break into the building when entering. Even if the door is left wide open and a person goes inside with the intent of stealing or committing a crime, they could be facing burglary charges in Pennsylvania.
• White Collar Crimes
  The term white collar crime is sometimes interchanged with the term economic crime because of the involvement of fraud and financial gain.
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  There are several different types of theft crimes and they vary in severity and penalties. Theft crimes can range from petty theft misdemeanors to serious felony theft. The state of Pennsylvania has serious consequences for theft. If you are at risk of a theft conviction you need to take the necessary step of obtaining legal representation. This type of conviction on your record can place doubt in many employers and can taint your reputation. Obtain representation from the best theft crime lawyer in Reading to help in your case. Fight against your theft charges by contacting Curtis E. Barnes, Attorney at Law right away. I have the experience needed to take on these types of charges and I can help you!
• Embezzlement
  A white collar crime can involve any type of nonviolent financial crime. This type of crime is commonly committed by business people as a way to gain finances. White collar crimes generally involve fraud, embezzlement or some sort of dishonest plan. Oftentimes the act in question is borderline illegal but the intention of the defendant has a lot to do with the charge. With the help of a skilled criminal defense lawyer in Reading, you may be able to show that you lacked criminal intent and the charges can be reduced or dismissed. White collar crimes lack aspects of violence that other crimes have, but the penalties are still severe. Searching for a lawyer for your criminal case in Reading? Contact a Reading criminal defense attorney from Curtis E. Barnes, Attorney at Law if you are facing white collar crime charges.
• Drug Crimes
  Drug possession is not a minor offense like many make it out to be. If you have been arrested or charged for drug possession, you are at risk of jail time, fines and a tainted criminal record. The specific consequences will depend on the type of drug that you are found with, the amount of the drug and the presence of prior drug offenses on your record. Possession of marijuana is often a more minor offense than being found in possession of a drug such as cocaine or heroin. Regardless of the type of possession offense you are facing, you need an aggressive drug crime lawyer in Reading to represent you. I am Curtis E. Barnes, Attorney at Law and I have nearly two decades of experience defending the criminally accused in Pennsylvania. Feel free to call my firm and discuss the possible defenses for your drug crime case.
• Assault
  Assault in Pennsylvania is defined as a person attempting to intentionally or recklessly cause physical injury to another. A person can also be charged for assault if they negligently cause injury to a person with a deadly weapon or if they put fear of injury in another person. There are several categories of assault, such as assault and battery, vehicular assault, felony assault, threats, assault with a weapon and assault of a minor. Any of these offense can hold serious penalties, if you are facing an assault charge seek representation from a Reading criminal attorney. The charges of assault are generally broken down between simple assault offenses and aggravated assault crimes.
• Murder
  The crime of assault can include a number of offenses, such as causing bodily injury to another or causing another to fear imminent bodily injury. The penalties for conviction of this crime can include jail or prison time, fines, and other consequences. The crime of murder can include a number of extremely serious offenses, so it is crucial that you have skilled representation on your side to help you pursue the results that you need as you face this criminal charge. Team up with the best criminal lawyer in Reading to help defend against your charges.
• Juvenile Crimes
  In most cases, a child under the age of 18 who is arrested for a criminal offense will be charged with a juvenile crime. There are some exceptions, such as cases of serious violent crime and cases in which the child is older than 16. No parent wants to see their child convicted of a serious offense, so it is essential to your child's future that you have skilled representation on your side that can help you effectively pursue the results that your child needs.
• Probation Violation
  Probation Violations - If you are convicted of a crime, then you may be granted a probation sentence in lieu of some jail time. Along with this sentence, you will be given terms to comply with during this probationary period. A violation of these terms will result in probation violation charges and serious penalties could ensue.
• Identity Theft
  Identity theft is another white collar crime punishable by between five and ten years in prison. If you would like to discuss your unique charges and the possible penalties, feel free to contact me at Curtis E. Barnes, Attorney at Law.
• Homicide
  Few crimes carry the gravity that homicide does in a court of law. The death of another person takes precedence over almost every other offense and the resulting charges are aggressively tried by state prosecutors. For those accused, the stakes are high: Pennsylvania is one of the few remaining states to offer the death penalty and, depending on the circumstances of the crime, it is pursued for this particularly charge.
• Shoplifting
  Shoplifting is a serious theft offense in Pennsylvania and there are harsh penalties on the line. One of the main reasons that the consequences can be severe is that you may not only be facing criminal penalties. Shoplifting penalties may also result in being sued in civil court by the merchant involved. Pennsylvania refers to shoplifting as retail theft.
• Forgery
  Q. What is a "white collar" crime? - A. White collar crimes are nonviolent, financially motivated crimes that can incur up to 20 years in prison. Common examples of white collar crimes include identity theft, forgery, fraud, counterfeiting, and embezzlement.
• Money Laundering
• Manslaughter
  There are also voluntary and involuntary manslaughter charges. These charges are reserved when the accused did not intend to cause the death of the deceased party. Penalties for these crimes vary. Only involuntary manslaughter is a misdemeanor and lengthy prison sentences are assigned to all of these crimes. To learn more about what penalties you might face, contact my office.
• Internet Crimes
  In this fast-growing digital world, there are now many types of cyber or internet crimes. The penalties for internet crime convictions are severe and far-reaching. Seemingly innocent activity can easily become the focus of federal or state computer crime task force investigations, which can ultimately lead to prosecution. These crimes can include Cyber-stalking, impersonating another person on-line, identity theft, harassment, fraud, investment scams, credit card theft, gambling, fraudulent sale of items on the internet, possession of child pornography, phishing, and computer theft or trespass.
• Prostitution
  Have you been charged with a sex crime? It is imperative that you seek competent, experienced and fully committed legal counsel. Sex crimes can include such charges as rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, indecent assault, incest of a minor, prostitution, and sexual exploitation. The penalties for sex crimes are amongst the most severe, life-changing and liberty depriving of all criminal sanctions. Looking for a lawyer for a sex crime case in Reading? Contact my firm for the legal representation that you need.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Additional services offered by Curtis E. Barnes, Attorney At Law, include representation of persons needing: expungement of criminal records; protection from abuse cases (PFA); representing parents in children and youth cases, chapters seven and thirteen bankruptcy; civil actions and wills and estates.
• Wills

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  While I can assist you through the bankruptcy process in its entirety and help pursue the debt discharge that you want, I can also work to ensure that all possible alternatives are explored and that you are pursuing the best possible future for yourself and your family. Depending on the situation that you face, you may benefit more from either Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and it is vital that you understand the differences between the two, as well as the advantages that each offers. When reviewing your specific situation, I can guide you through this decision-making process.
• Foreclosure
  If you are facing foreclosure of your home, then you may be experiencing a great deal of stress and anxiety. While bankruptcy may seem like the only option to protect your future, it is essential for you to discuss your situation in detail with my office so that any alternatives can be evaluated. You may be able to pursue foreclosure defense through extensive investigation into the sale process, as there are often mistakes made when the escrow process is hurried. Depending on the circumstances, I may be able to delay or stop the foreclosure process entirely.