Category Archives: Felony Murder

Drug1

Opioid Homicide Charges

By van der Veen, O’Neill, Hartshorn, and Levin | Posted on April 30, 2018

A Galeton, Pennsylvania criminal case involving an opioid overdose led to the arrest and prosecution of a Lewistown woman for murder, as reported by the Olean Times Herald. The defendant was sentenced to 5 to 10 years in prison for one count of drug delivery resulting in death, which is a first degree felony…. Read More »

Opioid_pills

Pennsylvania Doctor Charged with Deaths of Opioid Overdose of Five Patients

By van der Veen, O’Neill, Hartshorn, and Levin | Posted on February 27, 2018

On December 21, 2017, federal prosecutors in Harrisburg, PA announced a Pennsylvania doctor has been charged with the deaths of five patients. The doctor allegedly caused the deaths from an opioid overdose. Over a 19-month time span that ended in July, Dr. Raymond Kraynak prescribed almost 3 million doses of opioids. Kraynak issued more… Read More »

CrimDef2

Not All Murder Charges Are the Same – Exploring Felony Murder

By van der Veen, O’Neill, Hartshorn, and Levin | Posted on December 4, 2017

All murder is not the same. Murder is separated into different categories and the level of the charge determines the penalties. Retaining a murder defense attorney immediately after being charged can help minimize the potential maximum punishment. Murder is not as clear cut as people think. The different types of murder charges in Pennsylvania… Read More »

Michael van der Veen interviewed by the Executive Leaders Radio

Michael van der Veen Comments on the Hiemstra Case Making National News

Michael T. van der Veen comments on the hiemstra case making national news.

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Reviews

"Updated on everything" Kendall Cuffie
"My attorney did his job perfectly stayed in contact wit me an kept me updated on everything that was happening with my case."
"Honest and Professional" Posted by Sahr Kono
June 2018
"Van der Veen and Associates are classical lawyers who do everything in the best interest of their clients. They are sincere about everything they do for their clients. I am more than willing to recommend them to anyone in need of honest and professional lawyers"
"Highly recommend this law firm." John
November 2018
"The staff of this firm worked hard to bring this difficult case to a satisfactory settlement. The end result exceeded our expectations."
"They made me feel like I mattered." Isa Tillery
"Its really a family oriented place" Duval Nelson
"My name is Duval Nelson and Brian Harshorn was on my case from start to finish. I was involved in a car accident and everyone treated me respectfully and professionaly. Samantha updated me in a timely fashion. Erica was also wonderful. Brian was able to reach a great settlement for me. Its really a family..."
"This lawyer is fast" Alyssia Arrington
October 2018
"This lawyer is fast and gets you big money I wasn’t expecting this much"
"Highly Recommend" Posted by Donna Hicks
"From the time I called mr Francis O’neil’s office they treated me with nothing but kindness. They were very professional and answered all the questions I had. When I called them with questions or concerns they reassured me that everything would work out and it did."
"Got me the max amount" Dessalont Hawkins
"Mike was very honest, and got me the max amount. Good job Mr Devlin."
"Amazing attorney" Nigeria Lewis
"Brian Hartshorn is an amazing attorney."
"5 Stars" Luciana Ramirez
"Good lawyers" Nichole
"Good lawyers. The lawyers and people were very nice. They answered all my questions. Told me everything I had to do and how long I would be waiting. I would recommend these lawyers to mt family and friends."
"They are great!" Selajdin Vila
"They are great! Joe Capone and Dan Devlin are the best Lawyers in Philadelphia. They help their clients in the best way they can. I recommend van der Veen, O’Neill, Hartshorn, and Levin if you have an accident as you will walk out happy. Thank you Joe and thank you Dan."
"Excellent work" Nurse Jarrett Hardnett
"I wanted to thank you for the excellent work you did as my attorney with the settlement of my automobile accident. I know you have a lot of clients, so your prompt responses and attention to detail really meant a lot to me."
"Very professional" Maria Andrews
"Very professional, polite and helpful. Will recommend to anyone and everyone."
"Great staff" Alesha Jones
"Great staff. Office makes you feel at home!"
"Helpful with any questions" Bernard
"Lawyers were very descriptive of all events taking place. They were helpful with any questions or procedures I needed help with or performed. Whenever I called they either immediately returned the call or helped me out."
"Very friendly and caring" Monique
"They came to my house and took my incident report and were very friendly and caring. They got me a check in less than a year. They are awesome friendly and caring."
"You will not be disappointed!" Jaime Vona
November 2018
"Mike van der Veen will go out of his way for you, answer your calls or emails right away and most importantly he will fight for you. I used him 22 years ago and than again recently. He was intelligent, sharp, and respected back then and even more so today. You will not be disappointed!..."
"Handled my case well" Joshlyn
"My lawyer Dan Devlin handled my case well. He kept in touch and made everything go well."
"I highly recommend this firm" Anonymous
"I used this law firm twice and Fran was on both cases and did an excellent job. I highly recommend this firm. Very professional, courteous, and fair."
"Best Lawyers Ever..." Posted by Mia Dimplez
August 2018
"I had Mr. FranO'Neil and trust me he does exactly what he says he will do.. And has a very sweet nature about him with a kind heart.... And also handsome as well.. The office has a very historical and beautiful setting.. And trust me they "Win" cases here."
"They are the best at every case" Rahil Brahmbhatt
"One of the best lawyers in Pennsylvania with amazing knowledge and decades of experience. They are the best at every case. It is a good thing they will listen to your case and give you the right suggestion and always try their best to help you. Michael van der Veen is a very confident and..."
"Brian never lost hope that everything would work out" Leigh
"I would highly recommend Brian Hartshorn as he is a fantastic personal injury lawyer. Brian is very friendly and easy to get in touch with when I hod a question about my case. Although the process was lengthy, Brian never lost hope that everything would work out in the end! Of course he was right..."
"Very professional" Lisa
"Brian and his staff were very professional. They worked hard for my case. They kept in touch with me whatever was got on. I would highly recommend their law firm."
"Best Lawyer Ever" Yasmin Garcia
"I love this law firm, I highly recommend it!! Brian Hartshorn is the best lawyer ever. He gets the job done!!!"
"Professional and are about their clients" Anonymous
"Micheal Adams and company was excellent in settling my case. I was a passenger in a hit and run accident and the insurance company wasn’t trying to pay. I received 4x the amount expected. They’re really good professional and care about their clients."
"Highly skilled attorneys" Terry Tio
"I would highly recommend Michael T. Van der Veen and his group of highly skilled attorneys. After an unfortunate experience with one of the "highly advertised" law firms, I switched to van der Veen, and it was like night and day. Very attentive, and got me a fair and timely settlement."
"they get the job done!" Marquese Justice
"Great team of people...they get the job done!"
"They handled everything and handled it well." Selena
"I’m very pleased with how well and smooth everything went working with Mike van der Veen. I didn’t have to worry about a thing. They handled everything and handled it well."
"ALL Charges Dropped!" Posted by Angelo Louridas
"Fran O'Neill is an incredible attorney! I found myself in a precarious situation last year (wrong place, wrong time) and thought that I would have to face serious penalties. Fran gave me the right advise from day one, and he was a master in the courtroom. ALL charges dropped!"
"Awesome and Efficient!" Felicia McDaniel
"The whole staff is truly awesome and efficient!"
"Known Mike for many years" Tanya Lee
"I have known Mike for many years and always turn to him and this firm for anything I need handled. I have and will continue to refer anyone looking for legal help."
"They fight hard" Posted by Lashanna Lee-Scott
"This is my second experience using Vanderveen and i am so happy i did! Very happy with how they handled my case! They fight hard for u and always get the best results!!"
"We won!" Posted by Lashanna Deasia Clegg
"From constantly calling and informing me of each and everything that was going on, to even when some not so good came in. The defendants lawyer called and asked for us to settle out, but neither Mr Hartshorn nor myself was having that. We took it to trial. he prepared both himself and me as..."
"Thanks to Mr. van der Veen for his wealth of knowledge" Kamerin Goins
"I would like to take a few moments to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude for everything this law office has done for me. While paying keen attention to detail they have been diligent in recovering all information related to my case. I would like to thank Erica for her great personality and attentiveness when..."
"Very satisfied" Maria Ramos
"Very grateful for the work they did and very satisfied as they assisted us and gave us all the necessary information."
"Very Helpful" David
"Mr. Nelson was great very helpful. I had two cases with this law firm and won them both. Thanks again to the whole team."
"5 Stars" Dierah Johns
"I will definitely recommend them" Bianca Rivera
October 2018
"Very thankful for all their hard work, they will fight for you and get you what you deserve!!!! Thankful for Kelly and Micheal with keeping us updated on the status of our case. Very efficient! Very easy to reach! Returned phone calls/emails in a timely fashion."
"Highly recommend" Thi
"I was in this office twice for two different cases and Mr. O’Neill helped me out with my problems. Very satisfying. Highly recommend."
"Great experience" Acciavatti Nicole
"It was a great experience."
"Extremadamente Satisfecho" Ivette Cruz
"Me sentí extremadamente satisfecho con los servicios prestados por Francis O'Neill y Samantha Serrano. Nunca me pusieron un pero y buscaron solución para todo. Recomendaría esta firma en el futuro."
"Great Service." Herby Desrosiers
September 2018
"They got everything taking care of and a fair amount of time. They kept me updated on my case. Someone was willing to come to my house and start up my case. Great service overall. I will recommend someone to them. Thanks."
"Strives for perfection" Metro Pcs
"The company strives for perfection and is reliable."
"Treats you as family" Antonio Walker
"The van der Veen team treats you as family. We win together. You are not just a client, but a family member when you choose this office."
"Highly Recommended" Richard Kauker
"Brian has been phenomenal to work with. He has been excellent in following up and resolving my case in a timely manner. Brian is also personable and takes ownship of your case. You will want Brian in your corner!"
"He does his job the right way" Anthony Laumeister
"This is one of the best place's you can go to when you need a lawyer. He is great at what he does, and takes good care of you. He does his job the right way as he is supposed to do. So, if I were you he would be a lawyer I would call."
"Excellent Team" Posted by Jeremiah Ortiz
June 2018
"A caring & about business group! Very considerate & professional...excellent team of attorneys!"
"Brian Hartshorn went above and beyond" Bron
"Brian Hartshorn went above and beyond what he said he would do. He was able to settle for double the amount expected. I am grateful for the service provided by van der Veen O’Neil Hartshorn Levin and would recommend that you call Erica before you call another firm at 215- 515-6892. You will not be..."
"Very Impressed" Ant Fair
September 2018
"Going with this law firm for my auto accident case was the best advice Mr. Branker gave me. I'm was very impressed with my results and the way they handled my case and me. GREAT"
"They fight all the way" Michael Dickerson
"Great group of people service is great. They fight all the way for you."
"5 Stars" Nassiah Sparks
"Extremely Accomodating" Posted by Gianna Maniscalco
June 2018
"Everyone at the law office was extremely accommodating. They did an excellent job from start to finish! Thank you Fran and Mike for doing such an excellent job."
"Love this firm" Posted by Yanery Lopez
"I really love this firm really has helped me in my time of needs, their always available when i have questions and concerns thank you all for such great work.."
"El trabajo q hacen son maravilloso" Keyla
"Yo tenido un placer en estar en la officina y los empleados son amables y el trabajo q hacen son maravilloso."
"The Best Attorneys in town hands down" Robert Harris
"I had the opportunity to retain this firm for my 2018 accident. The steps that were taken from start to finish were second to none. I want to say thanks to Earl, Malikah and Mark in the PIP department. Nelson I want to give you a special shout out for being on top of my..."
"They are the BEST!!!!" Posted by Kimberly Adams
October 2018
"They get the job done ! They made me feel like they have known me forever. They stay in touch with you let you know everything that going on. They are the BEST!!!! I find my law office home never going anywhere else."
"They don't leave you in the dark" Loretta Young
"Mr. van der Veen is the best. He handled my case with extreme care and kept me informed and if anything went wrong he let me know. He gave me good advice and I love this company. They are professional and very courteous, awesome and terrific and they don't leave you in the dark. They..."
"Happy with my results" Salvatore Galarza
"First time dealing with Michael T. Van Der Veen's office and I am happy with my results they did everything in there power to help me. Thanks!!!"
"Simply Outstanding!" Posted by Nadia Hristova
August 2018
"It has been a real pleasure to work with Mr. van der Veen and his team. They really care not only about the case and the legal issues, but also and mainly about the person. The legal work is excellent and the result in our case was simply outstanding!"
"Very satisfied" Janique
"Very satisfied with the service received. I recommend Michael Thomas van der Veen for all car accidents."
"I will never go into battle with anyone else!" Stephen Bytheway
"When my future along with everything else I have ever worked for was on the line Richard Coble stood shoulder to shoulder with me and fought to the never end for my freedom!!! Rich, thank you for literally saving my life. I never in a million years thought we could win in prelims, but your..."
"5 Stars" Jillian Styles
"Personal Attention" Kamerin Goins
"I would like to thank Erica for her great personality and attentiveness when visiting the office; Mike and Dan for their relentless efforts to ensure no rock went unturned and extreme transparency when I would call in for status updates; and a special thanks to Mr. van der Veen for his wealth of knowledge and..."
"Beyond Exceptional" Anonymous
"Mr. van der Veen is beyond exceptional. With respect to my divorce he is/was extremely responsive to my communications, very understanding of my emotional perspective, and candid about the legal process and results. During our PFA court appearance, his professionalism and competence went unmatched by my wife’s team, and the judge awarded us the best..."
"They went out of their way to get me a nice bit of compensation" Iris Murdoch
"This was the only firm who listened to my personal injury case long enough to determine that I actually was entitled to a settlement. They went out of their way to get me a nice bit of compensation."
"Car Accident" Deasia
"On July 11th of 2015 I was involved in a car accident where I was a sleeping passenger coming from a party, causing my foot to be broken in about 10 places my pelvis being broken in 2 my lungs collapsing and several lacerations. All of this while 13 weeks pregnant. I didn’t know where..."
"The Best in Town!" Brandon
"Hands down the best in town! If you are seeking counsel I highly recommend Michael van der Veen and his team. Thank you again!"
"Very Understanding" Kyle Hughes
September 2018
"I had a wonderful experience with the van der Veen law firm .. Everyone made sure I was feeling ok. They made me feel like family and I never had to worry.. Earl Brewer provided me help every step of the way. He is very understanding and I’m gratetful for him.. Thank you all for..."
"Definitely would recommend them." Whitne Smith
"I had a great experience with them. They made sure they stayed in contact with me even with a new number. They were very helpful and got me a settlement quick. Definitely would recommend them."
"A God Send" Jaime Vona
"Mike, it is Jaime Vona. I got my check today from the National Paxil Birth Defect fund. Gianna's money went into that trust until she is 24. But they gave me the 16k I fought for at the end and your fee that you so selflessly gave me. I wanted to thank you again and..."
"Honest and Professional" Posted by Jeremiah Bona
June 2018
"van der Veen and Associates are classical lawyers who do everything in the best interest of their clients. They are sincere about everything they do for their clients. I am more than willing to recommend them to anyone in need of honest and professional lawyers"
"So KIND" علية محمد
"So KIND and GREAT staff"
"I’m grateful" Janira Bremner
October 2018
"I’m very appreciative of the Firms’ support and guidance in the follow-up to a traumatic experience. I felt safe and confident in their abilities to help me navigate the complexities of the circumstance. I’m grateful for the just outcome attained in the end."
"Extremely Pleased" Norberto Baez
"I was extremely pleased through every step of the process while my case was being handled. Everyone was kind, courteous and considerate with any request I made as well as my time promptly answering any phone calls or emails."
"One Super Lawyer" Posted by Loretta Young
"I love this firm they are so respectful and care about you...they keep you informed on how things are going and if it's something that they can't handle they will let you know up front they don't waste your time on hopes their one of the best firms ever especially Mr. Michael Van derveen..one super..."
"Very Pleased" Darryl Bell
"I was very pleased with the end result. You guys helped me understand the process of the laws governing PA law a lot better. I thank you for your time and consideration in my legal matters. Respectfully submitted."
"Thank You!!!" Posted by David Cruz
"The Law of Office of Michael Van Der Veen was very helpful. Everything ran smoothly and my case was done in a reasonable time. I would like to thank everyone who helped and made sure i was well taken care of."
"BEST LAWYER IN TOWN" Ivona
September 2018
"Brian did an amazing job. In my case he went above and beyond. I was ready to give up I had no hope but He told me to trust him I did I am a very happy client. If you got a no somewhere else this where you come and get your yes! I will..."
"Five Stars" Mikey Dymnz
"Five Stars"
"Definitely would recommend to anyone" Angie Ramos
"Great office staff, extremely helpful. The office is beautiful! Definitely would recommend to anyone in need of an attorney."
"Brian's my go to lawyer" Greg
"Brian's my go to lawyer from now on. He was always honest with us and very supportive. Our case was tricky and he handled it like a pro. Thank you for everything!"
"I would recommend this law firm to anyone" D Mc
"I am so please that I have chosen this law firm to represent me in court and the outcome was favorable in more ways than one. I would like to say a special thank to Richard Coble for a great job he has done. I would recommend this law firm to anyone out there who..."
"Exceptional Service" Posted by Monica Buccieri
August 2018
"Mike and team provide exceptional service and did a great job for us but what makes them stand out is that they care about their clients. The office team is warm, personable and inviting. The knowledge of the attorneys and associates is outstanding."
"This law firm fights to get every penny you deserve and then some!" Kenn Roberts
"This law firm fights to get every penny you deserve and then some! Michael van der Veen and his team knows how to be the advocate for you when your life is at its worst. You guys are the best!"
"5 Stars" la bestia Benitez
"Didn't back down" Anonymous
"My lawyer did a awesome job getting me a settlement. The defendants were trying to fight the case and van der Veen's team didn't back down. Thanks so much guys! Nessa is a great paralegal as well with a great personality and so understanding."
"Did a marvelous job" Spencer Sigmon
November 2018
"Richard Coble did a marvelous job on getting in and getting work done at Court, and helped dismiss my charges completely."
"Beyond great" D.Bell
"The man is beyond great. I have had enough good and bad to know over the years. He and only two others in his league in 30 years. He is professional, suave, ethical and down to earth. He can make a phone call and poof! Magical touch. Amazing! He represented my son on false charges..."
"Great experience" Robert Potter
"Great experience and friendly group of people. Appreciate all the help!!!!"
"The perfect legal team" Shannon Lavin
"Mr. van der Veen & his team stopped at nothing to make sure I got what I deserved. They were so kind, gave me all the information I needed and didn’t sugar coat anything! They told me like it was and that’s what made them the perfect legal team in my situation. I’ll forever be..."
"Sharks on dry land." Michelle Rhames
"Richard Coble was very professional" James Pagano
"My lawyer Richard Coble was very professional and helped me through a difficult situation. I would recommend him to anyone that needs a lawyer and the office was very nice and everyone was helpful."
"Highly Recommend" Tiffany Johnson
"MTV Law has been there from day one for accidents,criminal cases etc. I highly recommend them for anyone who needs legal assistance."
"They’re really good professional" Gerald Terry
"Micheal Adams and company was excellent in settling my case. I was a passenger in a hit and run accident and the insurance company wasn’t trying to pay. I received 4x the amount expected. They’re really good professional and care about their clients"

Aggressive, hands-on experience when you need it most

Philadelphia
Commercial Litigation
Providing both sound advice and zealous representation, we are a trusted resource for small businesses. We work non-stop to satisfy the diverse legal needs of Pennsylvania and New Jersey businesses.
Philadelphia
Personal Injury
Attorney van der Veen’s professional repertoire includes disputes ranging from motor vehicle accidents, premises liability cases, product liability disputes, and nursing home negligence claims. He fights for the injured against the most sophisticated and deep-pocket defense teams—always to win.
Philadelphia
Criminal Defense
From sex offenses, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charges, and white collar crimes, Attorney van der Veen's criminal defense experience is expansive. He built his career on high-profile wins in criminal matters.
Philadelphia
Civil Rights
Of the law firms that handle civil litigation, van der Veen, O’Neill, hartshorn, and Levin is one of the most esteemed. If your constitutional rights have been violated, whether by law enforcement, government agencies, or educational institutions, we do everything we can to right that injustice.