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LET US FIGHT HARD FOR YOUR RIGHTS!

Douglas P. Earl, Esquire is a Veteran of the United States Army.  Douglas P. Earl, Esquire regularly practices in Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware and Philadelphia Counties. Attorney Earl has 34 years of experience. He advocates for people wherever someone needs him.  Mr. Earl has gone to Erie, Pennsylvania to represent a Mother who happens to be a veteran of the United States Navy.  Our law office understands that when people hire an attorney they are often experiencing very stressful situations.  People need someone who cares about them and is effective. The Law Office of Douglas Earl, LLC makes sure our clients not only receive high-quality legal services, but also the support and resources they deserve.

Douglas P. Earl, Esquire has also represented people in other states such as Delaware and Virginia.  Mr. Earl traveled to Norfolk, Virginia to fight in Federal court there. He has traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania twice to fight for a mother in a custody case. Mr. Earl has been to Scranton and Wilkes Barre many times.  Mr. Earl has been to Wayne County, Williamsport, Lycoming County, Bellefonte, Centre County, Clearfield County, Lock Haven, Clinton County.  He listens and works hard to represent his client.

Ask the young woman never arrested in her life who found herself incarcerated in Clearfield County.  Mr. Earl fought for her and she was released. She was all alone until Mr. Earl arrived.

February 15, 2024: N.S. vs. A.P. – Father wins fight for primary custody! Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represents father in petitioning Family Court to change the custody order. Father has partial physical custody. He wants primary physical custody of his seven year old son. Court grants Father’s petition for primary custody. First there was hearing with judge who ordered therapy for the child and continued the case. Judge grants father primary custody at second hearing with judge after the evidence shows the child was not being treated right at the home of the mother.

January 5, 2024: M.N.W. vs. D.G.M. – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represents D.G.M. in a custody battle.  Judge orders the two children of the parties immediately returned to Pennsylvania from Connecticut.  Judge grants primary physical custody of the children to my client D.G.M..

October 30, 2023: M.N.W. vs. D.G.M., Protection from Abuse – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represents D.G.M. against a Protection from Abuse Petition filed by his ex-live in girlfriend M.N.W. Judge dismisses PFA petition. M.N.W. claimed that D.G.M. assaulted and intimidated her. She testified that she was afraid of D.G.M. Douglas P. Earl, Esquire was ready with a strong cross examination and defense. Ex-girlfriend had their six year old daughter testify. Two sisters of D.G.M. testified. One sister testified that she was on the phone with D.G.M. and overheard an argument but no threats or violence. The second sister testified that the six year old child of M.N.W. and D.G.M. went to her house after the argument for dinner and the child was fine.

September 28, 2023: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vs. K.O., MC-51-CR-0003060-2023 – A date of client accused client of assaulting her after a Super Bowl party. Judge finds that there might have been a tussle but that there was no crime committed. District Attorneys brought out at the trial photos of bruises and a damaged lip. The defense brought out that the complaining witness was contacting my client after the incident. The Court dismissed all charges.

July 19, 2023: M.A.G. vs. K.D.M., In Support – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire brings K.D.M. to Family Court to clear up a bench warrant. K.D.M. has arrears over $24,000.00 and had his license suspended. K.D.M. had not been paying support for over a year. Court orders bench warrant withdrawn and K.D.M.’s driver’s license reinstated.

June 28, 2023: B.B. vs. G.T., Protection from Abuse – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represents B.B. in a Petition for Reconsideration of a Protection from Abuse Petition B.B. filed. The Court had dismissed the Protection from Abuse Petition of B.B. when B.B. represented himself. The Court in the Reconsideration with Mr. Earl representing B.B. granted a final Protection from Abuse Order against G.T. The Court was able to see evidence of text messages from G.T. to B.B. B.B. also testified.

June 21, 2023: Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represented L.P. against a finding she was a perpetrator of child abuse by the Children and Youth Division of the Department of Human Services.  The Hearing was before the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals of the Department of Human Services of Pennsylvania.

L.P. wins!

L.P. was accused of Child Abuse because a pill box was containing a pink ecstasy pill was unzippered.  L.P. was with her child.  L.P. was a selecting a television program and did not see the child take the pill out of the pill box during a period of only a minute.  L.P. took immediate action when she noticed what happened.  The child was immediately taken to the hospital. The child showed no signs ecstasy ingestion although there was pink residue on the lips of the child.

The Judge agreed that L.P. did not commit Child Abuse.  The Law Department and DHS vigorously pursued a case of Child Abuse against L.P.  This is where you need protection.  A Finding of Child Abuse can prevent you from working around children.   Mr. Earl has protected people against overzealous social workers.

Douglas P. Earl, Esquire knows how to fight against Children and Youth. Do not be intimidated. Mr. Earl will fight for you. You will be surprised how one decision by a social worker assigned to investigate a claim of child abuse against you may set in motion a whole series of events which start taking away your rights. You will also be surprised that a decision by a social worker or therapist may be biased and not supported by the evidence.

April 19, 2023: Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represents T.D. before the Board of License and Inspection Review on Appeal from the disapproval of her application for a Firearms Permit. T.D. is now approved and has her Firearms Permit.

April 17, 2023: N.G. vs. Q.T. and Q.H. – Another success story. Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represents N.G. Her three month old baby was in the custody of the father and the paternal grandmother. Judge orders the baby returned to the mother after a contested hearing. Mr. Earl was ready with exhibits including an email from the hospital social worker.

April 10, 2023: M.M.-G. vs. E.D.D, Philadelphia Family Court – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represents M.M.-G. in an Emergency Custody Petition. Children were taken to Cameron County by Father. Father claims children were abused. Judge grants Emergency Custody and Orders return of children to Mother.

March 31, 2023: F.B. vs. C.D. – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represents C.D., the mother, in Philadelphia Family Court in her quest for her 5 year old son relocate and live with her on Long Island, New York.  Child had been living with Father in Philadelphia.  Judge grants Mother’s request. Child will be living with Mother in Long Island.  It was a hard fought battle.  Mother won because her exhibits, many photographs of the Child with Mother and her other children as well as information about proposed school, were presented to the Judge.

February 3, 2023: Commonwealth vs. Rogers, Municipal Court of Philadelphia – Case Dismissed. Client was arrested because he used a firearm (which he lawfully possessed and had a gun permit for) against a criminal who was stealing his car. Client was taking out the trash when he saw the car thief stealing his car.  The thief got away.  Police arrested the Client and charged him with assault, reckless endangerment, and possession of instrument of crime with intent because he told the police that he fired at the thief for stealing his car.  Attorney Douglas Earl’s defense was based on Corpus Delicti rule.

December 5, 2022 – Attorney Earl represents Mother. Mother retains primary custody of 12 year old daughter in Montgomery County. Mr. Earl defends mother against father’s petition for primary physical custody in Montgomery County. Father’s attorney wanted custody evaluation and made allegations against mother. Judge Orders parenting coordinator for parties for their 12 year old daughter. Mother keeps primary custody of child.

November 10, 2022 – Attorney Earl defends E.V. against aggravated assault charges. Police Officer wrote in report that he saw victim on ground knocked out cold. Neighbor says he saw E.V. and victim fighting then victim went to ground. Charges dismissed.

October, 7, 2022 – Not Guilty Jury Verdict. Commonwealth vs. R.G., Common Please Court Criminal Division, 2021.  Douglas P.  Earl, Esquire defends R.G. against rape charges in a jury trial and wins an acquittal. R.G. found not guilty by jury on October 7, 2022.  Attorney Earl worked hard to uncover facts not found by detective.  Attorney Earl used cell phone video, had a transcript made of body cam footage and cell phone videos as well as photos.

September 19, 2022 – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire obtains return seized United States currency by the Drug Enforcement Agency to Client of $750,000 after hard fought settlement negotiations.

October 30, 2020 – In the Matter of Seizure of Twenty Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($20,000) in United States Currency.  Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represents family member whose relative had $20,000 seized by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).  DEA claimed there was residue of cocaine on the money.  DEA agrees to return money.

Douglas P. Earl, Esquire knows drug forfeiture laws.  Things looked bad when the Pennsylvania State Police arrested two men on Interstate 80 near Penn State.  One of the men was charged with fraud for having stolen debit cards.  $30,000 cash was taken from them by the State Police which belonged to the wife of one of man arrested out on the highway.  Douglas P. Earl, Esquire was retained.  Ask the woman who had $30,000 seized by the Pennsylvania State Police near Penn State what happened. Mr. Earl went to Centre County in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. He fought in court and after a difficult fight the money was ordered to be returned to her. It was not easy. First the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania claimed the seized money by invoking the drug forfeiture laws. Then the state of Pennsylvania claimed that it was justified in seizing and keeping the money based upon the Common Law forfeiture laws. Mr. Earl will go anywhere in Pennsylvania including Federal Court, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia Counties to defend you against criminal charges or fight for the return of your property that the police, state troopers, or other law enforcement agencies have seized.

Douglas P. Earl, Esquire recently won a settlement with the Drug Enforcement Agency for the return to his client of $750,000.

Ask the young woman in Lycoming County who lost custody of her child.  Mr. Earl fought for her.

Mr. Earl has represented individuals and professionals who were contacted by government investigators including individuals served with grand jury subpoenas. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Earl has tried numerous jury trials and he has been successful in handling cases.  Many of Mr. Earl’s new clients are referrals from satisfied clients.

Overview: What our legal practice offers

  • 34 years of experience in various fields of law
  • Expert advice and representation by a specialized attorney
  • Return phone calls in a timely manner
  • Provide honest assessments of cases, whether good or bad
  • Perform all work with the highest level of care and attention to detail

Look at the Cases Mr. Earl has handled:

Civil Awards

Douglas P. Earl, Esquire has obtained substantial civil awards for children who are victims of sexual assault.  In one case Douglas P. Earl, Esquire fought for an 11 year old victim of sexual abuse the child suffered at a children’s birthday party and obtained a substantial monetary award.

In a second case Douglas P. Earl, Esquire obtained a substantial monetary award for a child and his parents where the child was sexually assaulted while playing outside in an apartment complex.

Family Court

Family Court – Wins Custody for Father in a bitter fight.

Douglas P. Earl, Esquire wins adoption case brought by mother and step-father.  In the Interest of: S.E.E., A Minor, Appeal of: M.S, Mother, and S.S, Step-Father, Superior Court of Pennsylvania No. 1779 EDA 2017, decided January 8, 2018. Court agrees that Family Court Judge abused his discretion when denying the Petition to Involuntary Terminate Parental Rights and allow the step-father to adopt the child.

Child Custody Case November 6, 2020 – T.V. vs. A.J., Philadelphia Family Court Judge grants Mother’s Contempt petition against father. Attorney Earl represented Mother. Father withheld child claiming that it was not safe for child to travel because of corona virus. Mother lives in Florida. Judge grants Attorney Earl’s request that Mother start period of shared custody of four year old child , plus orders that Mother have make up time for missed time with child. Judge also grants Attorney Earl’s request that Mother be reimbursed for the attorney fees she paid Mr. Earl.

Child Custody Case October 23, 2020 – K.S. vs. S.R., Philadelphia Family Court – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire successfully defends Mother against Petition to Modify Custody Order by Father.  Father claiming that Mother allowed a prohibited party from being with their 8 year old daughter. Custody Order was that boyfriend of Mother could not be in presence of child. Boyfriend of Mother had a conviction for firearm offense. Father produced video of boyfriend of Mother being in the presence of the child. Attorney Earl argued that child should testify. Attorney Earl cross examined Father to bring to the attention of the court that the daughter was a happy child. Firearm offense not enumerated offense in Domestic Relations Custody law. Judge denied request by Father to have primary custody. Court changed Order to permit the live in boyfriend to live with Mother and child. Child testified that she was bonded with boyfriend and the other child of boyfriend. See also google review. Testimony also clear that Mother active in meeting needs of child.

Child Custody Case – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire wins an appeal of a bitterly fought custody case for the step-mother in a case where the father died.  Superior Court of Pennsylvania case A.S v. M.K, No. 3009 EDA 2012.

Child Custody Case – J.G vs. I.M and L.V. S, DR No. XC0800397: Permanent Custody Order of 12 year old granted to Lieutenant Colonel, who is the paternal uncle. Child was living with grandmother when grandmother passed, paternal uncle showed the greatest interest in the child and has the best home for the child.

Child Support Appeal – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire wins on an appeal of a child support case from an order where half of the father’s income was garnished.

Child Support Appeal – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire wins two appeals (No. 1443 EDA 2016 and No. 3364 EDA 2017) from two Family Court Judges who ordered Mr. Hamilton to pay child support based upon what the court claims his income should have been. The Superior Court agrees that Family Court was wrong. Mr. Earl represented father.

November 6, 2020: F.D. vs. B.C., Delaware County Support Master grants Mr. Earl’s request to deny Petition of Father to terminate child support order. Evidence supports defense by Mother that her child was not living with grandmother but only visiting her.

Family Court – Obtained permission for a mother to relocate with her daughter to Florida.

A successful Protection From Abuse petition or a successful defense of a Protection From Abuse petition involves knowing what happens in the courtroom and what witnesses, police reports, medical reports, text messages, facebook, or social media are important to your case.

Douglas P. Earl earns a dismissal of a Protection From Abuse petition against a teacher accused of child molestation.

October 1, 2020 – Protection From Abuse petition filed by Mother of client’s children is dismissed after a contested hearing.  Mother claimed that my client the Father told her “He was going to whoop my ass.”  Mother claimed that Father in the past had busted her lip, and pulled her hair.  Mother testified that she was afraid of Father.  Defense successful that Mother was trying to get an advantage in custody court, that there was no police involvement, medical care, and there was no text messages.  V.D. vs. J.M., Case No. 2009V7199.

V.C vs. R.C: Mr. Earl defends adult daughter against allegations of abuse in a Protection From Abuse case brought by adult Mother. Case was dismissed. Adult Mother was represented by attorney from Senior Law Center. Mother accused client of threatening her numerous times. Case had to go to court three times because the Court did not call the case for a hearing the first two times it was before a Judge. The Court claimed it had a crowded docket. Mother claimed she was in fear. Mr. Earl cross examined Mother that her actions did not show this.

September 15, 2022 – K.C. vs. V.G. Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represented K.C. in a Protection from Abuse Petition against V.G. Court heard testimony that K.C. was threatened and placed in fear of harm by V.G. K.C.’s Protection from Abuse Petition is granted after a contested hearing.

Douglas P. Earl, Esquire defends a father on January 22, 2018 who is accused by his ex-wife of abusing their 15 year old daughter. Mr. Earl prepares the father and his girlfriend for the abuse hearing. He prepares the cross-examination questions of the 15 year old daughter. Father was trying to discipline his daughter over graphic posts on social media and sexting. Case against Father was dismissed after a full hearing.

Child Abuse Appeal – E.B. In Re: M.L BHA Docket No. 021-18-0933: Children and Youth division of Philadelphia Department of Human Services filed an indicated report of child abuse against Father based upon bruises. Judge grants appeal and orders child abuse record expunged. Judge rules no substantial evidence of impairment or substantial pain.

Federal Criminal Matters

  • United States v. J.A.-C.; U.S. District Court E.D. of PA (2006); Secured an acquittal after a 3 co-defendant jury trial in which the Defendant was charged with the distribution of 5 Kilograms or More of Cocaine and Aiding and Abetting.  Client faced potential life imprisonment.  Also obtained release from detention prior to the trial.

  • United States v. D.B.; U.S. District Court E.D. of PA (2008); Defendant sentenced for two robberies involving firearms under the Hobbs Act.  Defendant sentenced to total of 9 months confinement.

  • United States v. Johnson; U.S. District Court Eastern District of PA (2015).  Defendant sentenced to one day incarceration in a child pornography case.  Sentencing Guidelines recommended at least 5 years incarceration.  Attorney Earl used expert witness in risk assessment, sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, sexual victimization or trauma.

Pennsylvania Criminal Matter

New Criminal Record Sealing Law.  There is hope even if you have a conviction for a 2nd or 3rd degree misdemeanor.  Act 5 of 2016 is now in effect which expands criminal record sealing for many low-level misdemeanors. Pennsylvanians may be eligible if all the following apply to them:

Convicted of a misdemeanor of the 2nd or 3rd degree;
Free of arrest and conviction for a period of 10 years;
Never convicted of certain crimes (felonies, 1st degree misdemeanors or 2nd degree simple assault);
Have fewer than four misdemeanor convictions; and
All fine and costs associated with the case have been paid.

A criminal record often carries a lifetime of consequences, and even a minor criminal record can be a serious interfere with employment, housing, education and training, financial empowerment, and more.

Here is a small sampling of the of the cases of Attorney Douglas P. Earl, Esquire:

October 7, 2022 – Commonwealth vs. R.G., Common Please Court Criminal Division, 2021 defends R.G. against rape charges in a jury trial and wins an acquittal. R.G. found not guilty by jury on October 7, 2022.  Attorney Earl worked hard to uncover facts not found by detective.  Attorney Earl used cell phone video, had a transcript made of body cam footage and cell phone videos as well as photos.

Commonwealth v. J.L. Common Pleas Court Criminal Division (2019): Douglas P. Earl, Esquire defends college student against assault charges in a four co-defendant trial. The District Attorney has video of incident. Client found NOT GUILTY.

  • Commonwealth v. H.M.; Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (2005); Defendant was found not guilty in jury trial of Rape, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Sexual Assault, Indecent Assault, Unlawful restraint, Simple Assault, Indecent Exposure.

  • Commonwealth v. B.G., Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (2011); Defendant sentenced to minimum sentence of three years imprisonment for third degree murder.
  • Commonwealth v. D.D., Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas (2015); Defendant given credit for being in a recovery house.  He does not have to serve a mandatory term of imprisonment of one year for his third DUI conviction.
  • Commonwealth v. B.D., Aggravated Assault charges against client dismissed. Client accused of biting, choking, and assaulting his pregnant girlfriend.
  • Douglas P. Earl, Esquire gets a NOT GUILTY verdict in the case of Commonwealth v. Conti in which the client was on trial for driving with a suspended license DUI. If Mr. Conti was convicted, he would have faced a mandatory 90 day jail term.
  • Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represents client in an appeal who was found to be a Sexually Violent Predator (“SVP”) in the case of Commonwealth v. M.F. 461 EDA 2017. Superior Court reverses SVP status. Client is no longer a Sexually Violent Predator and subject to lifetime registration. Client is no longer required to report on a monthly basis.
  • Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vs. R.V., Case Number 2053 EDA           2015, Superior Court of Pennsylvania. Mr. Earl represents R.V. in his appeal from a conviction under the Uniform Firearms Act. The Superior Court grants the appeal and vacates the conviction.

Practice Areas:

    • Domestic Violence, Protection from Abuse
    • Child Custody
    • White Collar Criminal Defense & Corporate Investigations
    • Federal Criminal Defense –  Douglas P. Earl gets results
    • Sex Crimes – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire knows how to spring into action and provide the best experts to work with him.
    • Asset/Forfeiture and Return of Property Cases
    • Criminal Defense – Pennsylvania
    • Professional Responsibility Law

Education:

  • Villanova University, B.S., 
  • New York Law School, J.D.

Bar Admissions:

    • Pennsylvania;
    • Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania;
    • Federal District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania;
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

To contact Mr. Earl directly telephone (215) 627-5970 or email him at dpearlattorney@aol.com

Contact Me Now For A Free Consultation

Phone: (215) 627-5970.  Telephone is answered 24 hours a day.  Available all hours when there is an emergency.