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MacElree Harvey, Ltd.

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Peter E. Kratsa

February 5, 2015 by Hoppel Design

Peter E. Kratsa

Partner – Criminal Defense, Family Law and Personal Injury

“I enjoy solving problems for clients. My approach is both analytical and tactical. The goal is always the same: the best possible outcome for my client.”

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Mr. Kratsa, the Chair of MacElree Harvey’s Criminal Defense Practice Group, is a criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience defending individuals and entities accused of criminal activity. His practice includes representation of clients in state and federal criminal trials, grand jury investigations, internal investigations, appeals, state and federal regulatory matters, and juvenile delinquency matters.

Pete additionally practices family law, providing effective and efficient representation to clients in divorce, custody and support matters.  Pete also practices personal injury and medical malpractice law where he provides zealous advocacy in obtaining compensation for those clients injured through the negligence of others.

Prior to joining MacElree Harvey, Pete was a partner in a private law practice which concentrated exclusively on criminal cases at the state and federal court level. Before going into private practice, Pete served as an Assistant Public Defender with the Chester County Public Defender’s Office.

Pete hosts Subject to Cross with Caroline Donato, a podcast about criminal defense and related topics under the law, available on iTunes, Google, Spotify, and SoundCloud.

Notable Representations

  • Client acquitted by jury of Rape and related charges after a week-long trial involving multiple factual and scientific witnesses.
  • Client accused of Insurance Fraud. With the assistance of a private investigator, developed evidence that Commonwealth witness was fabricating. Witness confronted with fabrications through cross-examination. Case withdrawn by Commonwealth; arrest records expunged.
  • Favorable dispositions for multiple clients accused of sex offenses and/or violent offenses through development and advocacy of mitigation arguments.
  • Client accused of Unlawful Restraint, False Imprisonment, and firearm-related offenses. Charges withdrawn by Commonwealth after Preliminary Hearing (cross-examination of victim and police) and filing of Pre-Trial Motion.
  • Client acquitted by jury of DUI.
  • Client accused of assault. Judge granted Pre-Trial Motion to dismiss the charges.
  • Client exonerated of Mail Fraud.
  • Representation of state and federal grand jury witnesses.

Memberships

  • Chester County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL), Eastern District
    • President 2019-2022
    • Vice President 2016-2017
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow

PRACTICE AREAS

Adoption

Corporate Compliance and Internal Investigations

Criminal Defense

Divorce

Drug Crimes Defense

DUI and Homicide by Vehicle Defense

Equitable Distribution

Family Law

Family Law Mediation

Juvenile Delinquency Defense

Litigation Law

Marital Settlement Agreements

Medical Malpractice

Personal Injury Law

Product Liability

Protection From Abuse

Sex Crimes Defense

Violent Crimes Defense

White Collar Defense

OFFICES

West Chester, PA

ADMISSIONS

  • Pennsylvania
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

EDUCATION

  • Villanova University School of Law (J.D.)
  • University of Richmond (B.A., English/History)

ARTICLES

Don’t Let The Police Search Your Car – Make Them Get A Warrant!

What To Do If You Believe You’re a Victim of Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice

You Received Your PPP Loan, Now How Can You Use It?

IN THE NEWS

Subject to Cross Episode 46: Clearing Criminal Records

Subject to Cross Episode 45: “Free Meek”

Subject to Cross Episode 44: Mental Health and Criminal Justice

Subject to Cross Episode 43: Confirmation Bias in American Nightmare

Subject to Cross Episode 42: The Full Force of the 2nd Amendment

Subject to Cross Episode 41: The Real Deal with Child Abuse Appeals (CYF Appeals)

Subject to Cross Episode 40: Criminal Cases in the News: Manslaughter in New Mexico and Sexual Assault in Canada

Subject to Cross Episode 39: PFAs Nowadays

Subject to Cross Episode 38: Murder on the Mind

Subject to Cross Episode 37: Coloring Outside the Lines

Subject to Cross Episode 36: Harbingers from the Supreme Court?

Subject to Cross Episode 35: “But, Officer, I Have A Medical Marijuana Card!”

Subject to Cross Episode 34: Pete in the Hot Seat

Subject to Cross Episode 33: Obscure Crimes Quiz

Subject to Cross Episode 32: Money Grab On Interstate 80

Subject to Cross Episode 31: Let the Dissent Set Him Free

Subject to Cross Episode 29: Reputation on the Line

Subject to Cross Episode 28: Justice Can Also Mean Not Guilty

Subject to Cross Episode 30:  The Crossfire of Victim Rights and Fundamental Fairness

Subject to Cross Episode 27: Quick Year Recap

12 MacElree Harvey Attorneys Named as Best Lawyers® 2023

Peter E. Kratsa Elected President of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Subject to Cross Episode 6: “A topic near and dear to Pete’s heart… and cats.”

Subject to Cross Episode 5: “Hook, Line, and Sinker”

Subject to Cross Podcast Episode 4: “Mandatory Minimums and Listener Questions”

AWARDS

Martindale-Hubbell Ratings 2019
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Top Lawyers 2018-MLT
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Centreville, DE

5721 Kennett Pike
Wilmington, DE 19807
302-654-4454
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Hockessin, DE

724 Yorklyn Rd #100
Hockessin, DE 19707
302-239-3700
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Kennett Square, PA

209 East State Street Road
Kennett Square, PA 19348
610-444-3180
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West Chester, PA

17 West Miner Street
West Chester, PA 19382
610-436-0100
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