About Tim George

Your advocate. Tim George is a criminal defense lawyer & DUI attorney committed to the pursuit of justice and the defense of freedom in Erie and throughout Northwestern PA. Many people charged with DUI and other criminal offenses are hardworking citizens with families and good jobs. Most have never been in trouble. Some are guilty of nothing. Yet, everyone charged with DUI or other criminal offenses faces the possibility that, if convicted, their lives - and the lives of their family members - will change dramatically. This reality is never lost on him; this truth transforms esoteric notions of justice into action.

A member of your community. Erie and Northwestern Pennsylvania is home for Tim George and his family. He was raised in Erie and returned home to practice law. He attended St. Luke School and Cathedral Prep in Erie. After graduating from St. Bonaventure University with a degree in Economics, he received a law degree from The Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In 1992, he became an associate at Gifford, Lay & Johnson in Erie and has worked in Erie ever since. In 1996, he opened his own practice devoted exclusively to pursuing justice and defending freedom. He lives with his wife and three children in Fairview. His community is your community.

A former prosecutor. Tim was a part-time Assistant District Attorney under Joseph P. Conti from 1996 to 1998. He prosecuted adult and juvenile offenders. He gained valuable experience at all phases of prosecution, from charging decision to preliminary hearing, motions practice, trial and appeal. His experience as a prosecutor is invaluable as a DUI attorney & criminal defense lawyer. A prosecutor must build a case against a suspect; a criminal defense lawyer challenges the evidence as it is assembled (or not assembled). Tim has done both and, therefore, brings a unique perspective to the evaluation of DUI and other criminal cases. He knows both sides. You want him on your side.

A committment to service. Tim values service. He helps people and their families. He serves the needs of people whose freedom is in jeopardy as the result of DUI or other criminal charges. He works to help people keep their jobs and minimize any suspension of their driver's license. If you think alcohol or drug counseling may benefit you, Tim will help you find a qualified counselor, without passing judgement. He has chaired the Criminal Practice Committee in the Erie County Bar Association, and in 2007 was presented the President's Award by Judge Michael Palmisano for service to his fellow lawyers. He also serves his country as a Citizen Soldier in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. In late 2001, he sought a commission in the Army and in 2009 was deployed for 11 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in Iraq, he served a judge advocate (or lawyer) in charge of military justice for the 28th Combat Aviation Brigade, which was comprised of Soldiers from Pennsylvania and eight other states.

Record of success. While every case is different, and each case turns on its own unique facts, your lawyer should have successfully handled cases in the past that are similar to yours. The reported cases below and the success stories described elsewhere in this site reveal some of what Tim George has done. Call toll free at (866) 724-2525 to schedule an free evaluation of your case.

Reported Cases

A nurse was suspected of taking medication from a patient. When questioned by police, she was told, in effect, that if she cooperated by waiving her right to consult with a lawyer that she would recieve ARD and avoid a conviction. This would enable her to retain her nurse's license. She then gave a statement. She was then charged with theft. The Commonwealth later denied her application for ARD. A suppression motion was filed on her behalf. After an evidentiary hearing, the Court held that the statement could not be used against her. The Commonwealth then agreed to approve her application for ARD. She avoided a conviction, retained her nurse's license and later had her arrest record expunged. Commonwealth v. Brown, (Right to counsel – illegal confession), Erie County Legal Journal, Vol. 92, No. 3 (2009).

Late at night, a driver turned right at a stop light and crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic. No other cars were on the roadway at the time. Police stopped him, administered field sobriety tests, then obtained a blood sample. His BAC was over the legal limit. He was charged with DUI, a lane violation and careless driving. He did not qualify for ARD. A suppression motion was filed by the defense. After an evidentiary hearing, the Court held that the stop violated his constitutional rights and that none of the information obtained after the stop could be used agaisnt him. All charges were later dropped. As a result, he avoided a prison sentence and a one year driver's license suspension. Commonwealth v. Vantine, (DUI-illegal stop), Erie County Legal Journal (2005).

A man was arrested for an alleged sex offense. He faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison. When questioned by police, he agreed to waive his right to a lawyer. After some questioning, he told the police that he would like to consult with a lawyer but nevertheless continued to answer questions after some prompting by the officer. A suppression motion was filed by the defense. After an evidentiary hearing, the Court ordered that most of what the man told the police could not be used against him at trial. A plea offer was later made which waived the 5 year mandatory minimum sentence. Commonwealth v. Mantri, (Right to Counsel—illegal confession), Erie County Legal Journal (2005)

A woman was convicted of numerous counts of theft at a jury trial while represented by another lawyer. On appeal, Tim George filed a brief with the Superior Court arguing that the woman was unfairly denied an opportunity to offer testimony and other evidence which tended to prove that she was innocent. The appellate court agreed, set aside the conviction, and granted the woman a new trial. Commonwealth v. Estep, (Right to present evidence at trial), Superior Court of Pennsylvania (unpublished appellate court opinion granting new trial).
The Coast Guard recieved an report of an intoxicated boater. A short time later, a BUI patrol stopped a man's boat "at random" for the stated purpose of inspecting the safety equipment on the boat (according to the officers on patrol). The boater was asked to perform field sobriety tests. The officers obtained his BAC, which was over the legal limit. The boater was charged with BUI (despite maintaining that another man was the operator of the vessel). A supression motion was filed by the defense. After an evidentiary hearing, the Court agreed with the defense that the "random" safety inspection was merely a pretext to pursue a suspected BUI violation. The Court held that none of the information obtained from the boater after the stop could be used against him. The Commonwealth filed an appeal to the Superior Court. The Superior Court affirmed the lower court. The Commonwealth then filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. After filing briefs and arguing before the highest court in Pennsylvania, the Court denied the appeal, ending the case. The Commonwelath later dropped all charges against the boater. Commonwealth v. Lehman, (BUI- illegal stop), 2004 Pa. Super. 324; 857 A.2d 686; 2004 Pa.Super. LEXIS 2772, appeal granted by Commonwealth v. Lehman, 871 A.2d 790, 2005 Pa. LEXIS 695 (Pa. Supreme Ct., Apr. 5, 2005) argued on December 5, 2005.

A Pennsylvania driver was convicted of DUI in the State of Kentucky. PennDOT then suspended his Pennsylvania driver's license for one year. An appeal was filed on behalf of the driver. After an evidentiary hearing, the Court granted the driver's appeal and ordered that PennDOT lift his suspension. PennDOT filed an appeal to the Commonwealth Court. After briefs, the appellate court agreed that PennDOT could not suspend his license. During the appeal he was permitted to drive, and continued to drive in Pennsylvania lawfully after he won the appeal. Smith v. DOT, (DUI-related suspension), Bureau of Driver Licensing, 800 A.2d 1004, 2002 Pa.Cmwlth. LEXIS 509 July 13, 2001.

McCaslin v. Tracy, (Punitive damages in car accident case), Erie County Legal Journal, Vol. 91, No. 37 (2008).

In the Matter of the Estate of Jamie Adam Pettigrew, (Wrongful Death in fatal truck accident case), Erie County Legal Journal (2006).
Commonwealth v. Shampoe, (Wrongful Death drowning case),Erie County Legal Journal (2005).

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Boating Under the Influence (BUI)

Military

28th Infantry Division (ID), CPT, Judge Advocate, March 2003-July 2008
28th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), Judge Advocate, August 2008 to present
Deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), January 26, 2009 to December 18, 2009