Facing a criminal charge is frightening. Facing it alone shouldn't be.
The Law Office of Raymond E. Stout provides personal, dedicated criminal defense across South Central Pennsylvania — from a first misdemeanor to the most serious felony charges. You get one attorney who knows your case, not a rotating case file.
One of the most important decisions you will make in this process.
Being charged with a crime — or worried that you might be — is the reason most people come through this door. It's an unsettling place to be, and the attorney you choose can shape everything that happens next: whether you're back home with your family, or spending time somewhere you don't want to be.
That holds true even in less serious matters. A traffic citation or a first drug possession charge can still carry consequences that follow you — and a defense attorney who knows the local courts can often find programs and options you didn't know existed.
Whether your case is the smallest matter on the docket or the most serious, it gets the same tenacity, patience, and attention. When you retain this firm, you are not a case number.
If you or someone you love has been charged or accused, call before your first hearing. There is often an opportunity to reach out to the District Attorney early — to understand what charges may be filed, and in some cases, to affect the process before it formally begins.
Raymond E. Stout
Attorney at Law · Lancaster County, PA
Raymond E. Stout is a graduate of Widener University School of Law and has spent his career practicing criminal defense in Lancaster County — DUI, drug charges, violent crimes, probation violations, and everything in between. He is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania state courts as well as federal court, and built this office as a small, personal practice on purpose: when you call, you reach the attorney handling your case, not an assistant or a rotating associate.
That philosophy comes through in how the firm is run. Calls get returned. Questions get answered in plain language, not legal jargon. And every client — whether the case is a summary citation or a first-degree felony — gets the same attention and preparation.
In good standing with the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board, with no pending disciplinary proceedings.
What to do if you've just been arrested
This is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation — but if you're reading this in the middle of it, start here.
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01
Stay calm and don't resist physically
However unfair it feels in the moment, physically resisting or arguing with officers almost always makes things worse — it can add new charges on top of whatever you're already facing.
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02
Say you want a lawyer, then stop talking
You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Clearly state that you want a lawyer, and then stop answering questions beyond basic identifying information. Anything said afterward can be used against you.
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03
Don't consent to a search
You're allowed to clearly state that you do not consent to a search of your person, car, or home. Officers may search anyway under certain circumstances — but stating your objection matters later.
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04
Don't discuss the case with anyone but your attorney
Not friends, not family, and especially not on recorded jail phone calls — those calls are routinely reviewed and can be used as evidence. Save the details for a private conversation with your lawyer.
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05
Call as soon as you're able to
The earlier a defense attorney is involved, the more options are usually still on the table — sometimes even before charges are formally filed. Don't wait for your first hearing to make the call.
Defense across the Pennsylvania criminal code
Every case is charged under a specific statute. Here's where this practice focuses.
Alcohol Crimes
- Driving Under the Influence
- Driving While Intoxicated
- Public Drunkenness
- Underage Consumption or Sale
- All other alcohol-related charges
Drug Crimes
- Possession
- Manufacturing
- Sales / Delivery
- Paraphernalia
- All other drug-related charges
Probation & Parole Violations
- Missed appointments
- Failed drug screens
- New charge violations
- Failure to comply
- All other violations
Violent Crimes
- Aggravated assault
- Simple assault
- Robbery
- Kidnapping
- Weapons charges
Traffic Citations
- Driving under suspension
- DUI-related suspension
- Speeding
- Traffic control device violations
- Damage to attended/unattended vehicles
Property Crimes
- Theft
- Burglary
- Receiving stolen property
- Trespassing
- All other property offenses
"You are not a number or a dollar sign, forgotten the moment you leave. You are someone whose life feels turned upside down — and you need help navigating it."
This is a small firm by design. You work directly with the attorney handling your case — not a rotating cast of associates.
From the first phone call to the final hearing, you'll have someone answering questions and explaining what comes next.
An arrest doesn't wait for business hours. Neither does this office.
What clients say, in their own words
A few recent reviews from Avvo. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Described the firm as attentive and fast to respond, and said the outcome matched what was promised going in.
— Dylan, Hired Attorney · Oct 2025A first-time client said every question was answered clearly and calls were returned almost immediately, any time of day.
— Shaina, Hired Attorney · Apr 2025Called the firm affordable, personable, and consistently communicative across multiple matters handled together.
— Anonymous, Hired Attorney · Aug 2025Available 24 hours, 7 days a week
Call anytime, or stop by the office on North Duke Street in downtown Lancaster.
Lancaster, PA 17602
Available 24 hours
Don't wait for your first hearing.
The earlier a defense attorney gets involved, the more options are usually on the table. Reach out today for a free, confidential consultation.
Call 717-271-4127Send a message
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