Steven Trialonas | State College Criminal Defense Lawyer

Steven Trialonas focuses his practice on criminal defense and select civil litigation matters. He represents clients in state and federal criminal cases, irrespective of the severity of the offenses; all criminal allegations are serious when levied against an individual and will be treated as such. Steven has represented medical doctors, nurses, and other licensed professionals in the investigation phase with success to avoid charges being filed, as well as after charging or indictment to trial. Steven has handled numerous cases at both the state and federal level in both Pennsylvania and New York. Most recently in a high profile case, Steven successfully tried a criminal case involving a dentist charged with multiple felonies including Rape, Attempted Rape, Kidnapping, Sexual Assault, and two counts of Indecent Assault. Client was accused of putting his patient under sedation, driving her to a location she did not want to be taken to and having sex with her while she was unconcious. Bail was set at $1 million as a result of the pre-trial publicity. Steven was able to secure Not Guilty verdicts on all counts after a hotly contested four-day jury trial. A lifelong resident of Centre County, Steven understands that many college students make mistakes upon experiencing the freedom and independence of living on their own for the first time in their lives. Steven also understands the unique party culture of Penn State, and the constant push and pull between citizens of the town, Penn State University, and the police/prosecution. In light of the lifelong impact a criminal record can have on a college student upon entering the workforce, Steven understands these cases must be handled delicately from start to finish in order to best assure a clean slate for all clients after the criminal process is over. Additionally, Steven has developed a substantial practice related to fraternity organizations that involve grand jury investigations as well as the criminal and civil defense of fraternity hazing cases. These recent representations have included a Pledge Master charged with homicide in the Penn State Beta Theta Pi hazing prosecution in Centre County, PA, resulting in the dismissal of over 100 charges including Involuntary Manslaughter and Aggravated Assault after multiple preliminary hearings which garnered national media attention; a president of a fraternity charged criminally with Hindering Apprehension and False Reports after attempting to protect the fraternity after a fire in the basement, securing Not Guilty verdicts of all charges after a jury trial; as well as similar matters involving other members of fraternities or similar organizations. Steven understands all criminal defendants are guaranteed certain rights and protections, but in reality the cards are typically stacked against an accused and juries often presume guilt rather than innocence at first blush. It is with these common misconceptions of juries in mind that Steven undertakes to educate the jury at voir dire and get them to buy into these fundamental principles that serve as the bedrock to the American system of criminal justice with successful results.

Position	Organization	Location	Duration
Attorney	The Mazza Law Group, P.C.	State College, PA	Present

School	Degree	Major	Graduation
Dickinson School of Law, Penn State University	J.D.	Law School	2010
The Pennslyvania State University	Bachelors		2005

State / Court	Date
Pennsylvania	2010

• Centre County Bar Association | Associate | 2011 - Present
  Wilkinson-Campbell American Inn of Court | Associate | 2011 - Present
  Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 2011 - Present
  Pennsylvania Bar Association | Member | 2011 - Present

• Client's Choice Award | AVVO | 2015
  Client's Choice Award | AVVO | 2014

• Criminal Appeal of a Sentence of 4-16 Years Vacated, Case Remanded for New Trial
  With another attorney, a Centre County man pled guilty to four counts of 18 Pa.C.S.A. §3126 Indecent Assault, all Felony offenses. Prior to sentencing, the client attempted to withdraw his guilty plea and take the matter to trial. The trial judge denied the client’s motion and proceeded to sentence him to a prison term of 4-16 years and ordered that he register as a sexually violent predator for the rest of his life. Due to the nature of the offenses, the client probably would have served 75-85% of the maximum sentence before being paroled. State College Criminal Lawyer Steven Trialonas immediately lodged an appeal with the Pennsylvania Superior Court, arguing that the trial judge erroneously denied the motion to withdraw the guilty plea as the client asserted his innocence. After extensive research into the issue, Centre County Attorney Trialonas filed his appeal brief setting forth the argument and case law supporting his position. The Commonwealth filed a brief in opposition, and both attorneys argued the case before the Superior Court in Harrisburg, PA. The main contention in the case was whether, as required by case law, the Commonwealth could establish the plea withdrawal prejudiced their ability to prosecute the case in any way. After a contentious oral argument on criminal appeal, the Superior Court agreed that the Commonwealth had failed to establish prejudice, and the trial court had therefore erroneously denied the withdrawal of the plea. The sentence was vacated, the guilty plea withdrawn, and the matter was remanded back to the Court of Common Pleas for a trial.

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	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm

• Avvo | Steven Trialonas
• Steven Trialonas