Criminal Defense
A criminal charge can put your freedom, your record, and your future at risk. I defend clients against everything from misdemeanors to serious felonies and homicide charges.
Learn More about Criminal DefenseErie Family Law & Criminal Defense Lawyer
Military Precision for Your Toughest Legal Battles
I’m Bruce Sandmeyer, a retired combat veteran with 38 years of legal experience. I bring discipline, strategy, and steady judgment to serious criminal charges and family law matters. When your freedom or family is on the line, you need honest answers about where you stand.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today- Years practicing law
- 38
- Jury & bench trials
- Nearly1,000
- Years in local news
- 25
- Consultation & case review
- Free
When You Call Me, You Get Me.
Clients often tell me, “I want a lawyer who I know is on my side.” As an Erie family law & criminal defense lawyer, I show you that from the very first call. When you reach out, you talk to me. I’ll listen to what happened, answer your questions in plain language, and tell you what I see. Being easy to reach is a priority for me, and my clients say it’s what they value most.
Whether you’re facing a felony charge, a DUI, or a custody dispute, you’ll know where your case stands at every step. As your family and criminal attorney in Erie, PA, I return your calls and keep you informed until your matter is resolved.
After 38 years, very little catches me off guard. Whatever you’re facing, I’ve likely seen it before and know how to handle it.
Book Your Free Case ReviewDefending Your Freedom and Your Family
I focus on the cases where the stakes are highest: criminal charges that threaten your freedom and family matters that shape your children’s future. I represent clients throughout Erie, Crawford, and Warren Counties.
DUI Defense
A DUI can cost you your license, raise your insurance premiums, and bring criminal penalties. I defend against impaired driving charges involving alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication.
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Child Custody & Support
Custody and support decisions shape your children’s future and your relationship with them. I help parents, including fathers, protect their rights and reach arrangements that work for their families.
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Divorce
Divorce affects your finances, your home, and your family’s next chapter. I guide clients through every stage, from spousal support and property division to military divorce.
Learn More about DivorceI Served My Country. Now I Serve My Clients.
My years of military service taught me discipline, attention to detail, and how to think clearly under pressure. After combat, there aren’t many fights that scare me anymore. I bring that same steadiness and strategic planning to every case, whether I’m building a criminal defense or working toward the right outcome in a custody dispute.
The first question I usually hear is, “How much trouble am I in?” My answer is that we’re at step one, and we’re going to look at every path out of this. Most matters can be resolved. If yours can’t, I’m ready to take it to court.
I’ve handled close to 1,000 jury and bench trials, including homicide cases and other serious felonies. I welcome difficult, high-stakes cases. When the charges are serious, you need a lawyer who has been in that courtroom many times before.
Over decades, I’ve built strong working relationships with county and federal prosecutors, which helps me communicate and negotiate effectively for my clients. But I’ve never worked for a district attorney’s office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, or a public defender’s office. I don’t owe anyone favors. My only loyalty is to you.
In family law, working cooperatively with other attorneys and judges can open the door to fair agreements without a drawn-out fight. My reputation for being easy to work with helps me pursue resolutions that protect your children, your finances, and your future.
For 25 years, local newspapers and TV stations have covered my cases and come to me for comment, from juvenile matters to homicide trials. When a case draws public attention, I know how to speak for my client clearly and carefully. You can count on me to protect your interests in and out of the courtroom.
Facing Charges or a Family Law Matter? You Don’t Have to Handle It Alone.
Whether you need a strong criminal defense or a fair resolution for your family, I’m ready to help. Call me today for a free, confidential case review and a clear look at your options.
A Note From Bruce
I Know What’s at Stake Because Family and Community Matter to Me, Too.
Erie has been my home since 1998, and the people I represent are my neighbors. When you’re worried about your freedom, your children, or your future, I understand what you stand to lose, because I’m a husband, grandfather, and veteran myself.
Outside the courtroom, I’m active in my church and in local veterans’ organizations. Those commitments keep me grounded in the community I serve and remind me why this work matters.
What My Clients Are Saying
My clients come to me during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Here’s how they describe the experience of having me in their corner.
Visit My Erie Office
900 State St, Suite 300Erie, PA 16501
A Solo Practice Built Around Your Case
Facing a criminal charge or a family law dispute can be overwhelming. You may be worried about your record, your license, or your time with your kids. I’ll guide you through the legal system, explain what’s happening at each step, and use my experience to protect your rights at every stage.
I run a solo practice on purpose, and I don’t plan to change that. You won’t be passed to a junior associate or a case manager you’ve never met. The attorney who meets with you at your consultation is the same one who negotiates with the opposing side, prepares your case, and stands beside you in court. As an Erie family law & criminal defense lawyer, I give every client my experience and my attention from start to finish.
Trusted Legal Guidance for the Full Range of Criminal and Family Matters
Beyond felony and DUI defense, I represent clients facing domestic violence and restraining order matters, juvenile charges, weapons offenses, and white collar and federal crimes. I can also help you find out whether a diversionary program or expungement could keep a charge from following you. On the family law side, I handle adoption, fathers’ rights, modifications to existing orders, and mediation and arbitration.
What to Expect When You Call My Criminal and Family Law Office
Your first step is a free consultation and case review. We’ll talk through what happened, what you’re facing, and what you want to achieve. From there, I’ll lay out your options and the realistic ways to resolve your case. Whether your matter resolves through negotiation or goes to trial, I’ll handle it personally.
Communities I Serve
As a family and criminal attorney in Erie, PA, I represent clients throughout northwestern Pennsylvania. I serve clients in Erie, Crawford, and Warren Counties and the communities of Erie, Millcreek, Fairview, Edinboro, North East, Girard, Harborcreek, Corry, Albion, and Union City.
Home Frequently Asked Questions
Nothing. I offer a free consultation and case review for both criminal and family law matters. We’ll talk through what happened, what you’re facing, and your options. If you have paperwork, such as charging documents, a citation, or court orders, bring it along so I can give you a clearer picture of where you stand.
Stay calm, be polite, and remember that you have the right to remain silent. Don’t discuss the details of your case with anyone until you’ve spoken with a lawyer. A DUI can affect your license, insurance, and record, so call me as soon as you can. If it’s your first offense, you may be eligible for ARD, a diversionary program that can keep a conviction off your record.
Not necessarily. Many felony cases resolve through negotiation, reduced charges, or dismissal, and I’ll walk you through every realistic option. But I prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, because that preparation strengthens your position. If your case does need to be tried, you’ll have an experienced trial attorney beside you.
Pennsylvania courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child, weighing factors set out in state law. These include each parent’s ability to provide stable, consistent care, the child’s needs and relationships, and any history of abuse, with safety factors given particular weight. I’ll help you understand how those factors apply to your family and present a case that shows the court what your children need.
It can. Pennsylvania courts may consider a parent’s criminal history, certain offenses, and protection from abuse orders when making custody decisions. Because I handle both criminal defense and family law, I can see how the two cases affect each other and plan a strategy that protects both your freedom and your relationship with your children.