Family Law

• Divorce
• Child Support
  There are numerous factors that impact how much child support a parent without custody pays to the other parent. These include...
• Child Custody and Visitation
  In Pennsylvania, there are many different types of child custody arrangements. Physical custody refers to where the child will live, whereas legal custody deals with who has the right to make important decisions about the child's education, healthcare and medical needs. Child custody can be either shared, partial or sole, but when one parent has sole primary custody, the child lives with that parent and that parent alone has the responsibility to make decisions about the child’s life.
• Adoption
• Spousal Support
  Spousal support. Sometimes it’s necessary for one spouse to provide temporary payments to the other so that the former partner can receive the training needed to be self-sufficient. This comes in all different forms of spousal support.
• Annulment
  Annulment. Some marriages are eligible for annulment rather than a divorce. Ask your attorney if this is an option for you.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  When someone accuses you of assault or indecent assault, it immediately seems like the entire criminal justice system is stacked against you. The tendency of the court is to assume your guilt, which goes against the basic principle of being innocent until proven guilty. When you are facing these types of accusations, the criminal defense attorneys at Bowers & Fawcett, LLC in Beaver County can help. Our team has more than 40 years of experience serving clients, and we work hard to make sure your rights are not violated by law enforcement officers and prosecutors.
• DUI/DWI
  The consequences of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can severely impact your personal and professional life. When you're accused of drunk driving, a knowledgeable  lawyer in western Pennsylvania can help you understand the charges against you and any options you might have to get them reduced or dropped completely. Immediately after your arrest, the legal team at Bowers & Fawcett, LLC, a law firm serving Beaver County and the surrounding areas, can provide valuable assistance.
• Wrongful Death
  It’s indescribably difficult to deal with the loss of someone close to you, especially if that person died due to someone else’s reckless actions or negligence. In these situations, you may be able to pursue compensation from responsible parties and their insurance companies, but you need an experienced wrongful death attorney to help. If you have lost a loved one, contact the lawyers at Bowers & Fawcett, LLC. We proudly serve individuals and families throughout western Pennsylvania, as we have for more than 40 years. We handle all legal aspects of your claim and serve as a resource during a difficult time.
• Traffic Violations
  Most people get speeding tickets or other types of traffic citations during the course of their lives, but many are surprised to find out how easy it is to lose their driver licenses in Pennsylvania. For relatively minor violations, you could lose your ability to travel to work and earn an income for yourself and your family. If you face the possibility of a license suspension, the lawyers at Bowers & Fawcett, LLC in the Pittsburgh area can help. We thoroughly examine your case and the charges against you. We will do everything within the law to help you keep your license.
• Sex Crimes
  Sexual offenses are an assault that includes as an element a sex crime. These crimes are often graded as felony offenses that carry significant jail time, probation, treatment and sex offender registry. A conviction for a sex crime, in additional to the severe criminal penalties, can severely damage your reputation and permanently affect your ability to obtain employment. Sexual crimes include, but are not limited to the following...
• Robbery
  A person is guilty of robbery if, in the course of committing a theft he causes serious bodily injury, threatens another with serious bodily injury, physically takes or removes property from a person by force or several other defined acts. Robbery is graded as a felony offense.
• Burglary
  Burglary does not necessarily require the commission of a theft offense rather burglary occurs when a person enters a building or occupied structure, or separately secured or occupied portion thereof with the intent to commit any crime therein. The building does not have to be occupied at the time of the entry to constitute a burglary. Defenses to burglary include; the building is abandoned, the premises is open to the public and the defendant is licensed or privileged to enter.
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  Whether this is your first arrest or you have a long record, we know that your goal is to stay out of prison and keep this charge off your record. Our lawyers have experience in negotiating pleas and going trial. We represent persons charged with felonies or misdemeanors. These are some of the most common charges...
• Drug Crimes
  Drug crimes. Drug charges vary widely, from possession, manufacturing, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of a controlled substance.
• Assault
  Many acts have been defined to constitute assault in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but in general, simple assault is the attempt to cause, or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury. It can also include putting another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury by physical menace. Other acts may also constitute simple assault. Therefore, it is important to discuss the facts of your case with an attorney before you talk to anyone else.
• Homicide
  Criminal defense. From a first-time traffic offense to homicide, we handle every kind of criminal offense. We treat our clients with respect as we fight their criminal defense charges.
• Shoplifting

Property Law

• Premises Liability
  Anyone who owns property — public or private — has a legal obligation to maintain certain standards of safety on that property. If a person suffers an injury and the property owner failed to meet those standards, the owner could be liable. These cases fall into the category of premises liability, which covers everything from hazardous conditions on a property to dog bite injuries.
• Property Damage
  An auto accident can happen at any time, causing serious injury and significant property damage. If you find yourself in this situation, call the lawyers at Bowers & Fawcett, LLC, immediately. We have more than four decades of experience representing victims of auto accidents. Our team of attorneys and staff can handle all aspects of your claim.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Property owners have a responsibility to ensure their premises are free of dangerous conditions for all customers and guests, which includes clearing walkways of all hazards and slippery substances including the ice and snow that has accumulated in uneven hills and ridges. If they fail to do so, serious injury may result. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip or fall, the personal injury attorneys at Bowers & Fawcett, LLC can help. Our legal team is dedicated to serving people throughout the community, as we've done for more than 40 years. Turn to us if you need a lawyer who will handle all aspects of your personal injury claim. Insurance companies have attorneys representing their interests, so should you.
• Medical Malpractice
  Medical malpractice. There is an expectation that doctors, nurses and other medical professionals will provide a certain standard of care, including when writing prescriptions, diagnosing illnesses and providing medical care. Failure to meet those standards could make them liable for a patient's death.
• Auto Accidents
• Dog Bites
  The injury attorneys at Bowers & Fawcett, LLC represent victims of dog bites as they seek compensation. Damages can include compensation for lost wages, medical bills, disfigurement, scarring and pain and suffering

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  After graduating from law school, Ms. Hurst interned for Judge Thomas W. Renwand at the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board prior to serving as a Law Clerk for President Judge John D. McBride of the Court of Common Pleas of Beaver County from 2009 through 2011. In 2012, Ms. Hurst opened her own law practice focusing in family law, criminal defense and wills and estate law.
• Wills
  Sherri R. Hurst joined the firm of Bowers & Fawcett, LLC in 2014. She focuses her practice in the areas of family law, criminal defense, adoptions, wills and estates and personal injury.