Attorney Ryan Harrison James's Legal Cases

Criminal defense

Commw v. C.C.

Jan 20, 2026

OUTCOME: Plea to lesser M2 charge for probation

Client was charged with a single count of conspiracy-homicide. She was a domestic abuse victim of the co-defendant. The case was one of being merely present, and we were on the verge of trial. On th ... e cusp of trial, the court granted a favorable pretrial ruling allowing in statements against interest made by the co-defendant that exculpated the client. That led to a letter to the DA’s office seeking reevaluation of the initial charging decision. An M2 plea was offered and accepted.

Juvenile law

Commw. v. K.J.

Dec 10, 2025

OUTCOME: Transferred to Juvenile Court

Represented Act 33 Offender, 15 years old, originally charged with Robbery and Aggravated Assault (and respective conspiracy counts), Criminal Attempt-Murder, and Terroristic Threats. Had robbery cha ... rges and criminal attempt-murder dismissed at magistrate. Case was ultimately decertified to juvenile court for disposition.

Appeals

Commw. v. Z.S.

Aug 13, 2025

OUTCOME: New trial

Client was convicted of first-degree murder. Filed a post-sentence motion seeking a new trial in the interests of justice based on a claim of prosecutorial misconduct. Commonwealth conceded relief.

Criminal defense

USA v. K.B.

May 27, 2025

OUTCOME: Suppressed all evidence

Client charged with distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Facing mandatory minimum and guidelines in excess of 10 years. Challenged the issuance of the search warrant for the client’s residen ... ce based on a material misrepresentation in the warrant. Franks hearing granted, and motion to suppress later granted.

Criminal defense

USA v. C.W.

Sep 12, 2024

OUTCOME: Split verdict: Not guilty of one 924(c) count; guilty on remaining counts

Multi-count indictment charging drug and gun offenses. Client pled to drug offenses and proceeded to trial on gun offenses, which include two 924(c) counts (possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug ... trafficking) and a single 922(g) count. Jury returned a verdict of not guilty on one of the 924(c) counts, thus negating an additional consecutive 5-year mandatory penalty.

Appeals

Commw v. Thompson

Mar 06, 2024

OUTCOME: Vacated and Remanded

Client pled guilty to Deceptive Business Practices. There was no factual basis for the plea. She was accused of trying to sell property she didn’t own. She wasn’t providing a service, nor was she se ... lling a commodity. Appointed after she filed a pro se Notice of Appeal. Raised a sufficiency claim for the first time on appeal. Client’s plea and sentence vacated on appeal in 2-1 decision.

Criminal defense

Commw. v. C.F.

Feb 02, 2024

OUTCOME: Not Guilty: First-Degree Murder and Attempted Murder; Guilty of Third-Degree Murder

Client was charged with homicide and attempted murder. The entirety of the shooting was caught on a doorbell camera. The defense was centered on self-defense or a killing in a heat of passion. The t ... rial was a four-day trial in Allegheny County. The jury engaged in a full day of deliberations.

Appeals

Commw. v. S.H.

Aug 28, 2023

OUTCOME: Reversed and remanded

Client was jointly tried for homicide and theft offenses. He was acquitted of the murder charges but convicted of aggravated-assault charges and theft. He was given 15-30 years' imprisonment. A peti ... tion for post-conviction relief was filed alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. Partial relief was granted in the trial court. A new trial was denied. An appeal was taken. The Superior Court reversed in a unanimous published opinion.

White collar crime

USA v. L.B.

Feb 23, 2023

OUTCOME: 100 days imprisonment

Client was indicted for six counts of mail fraud for misappropriating approximately $150,000 over ten years as secretary/treasurer of a small borough. Case started in state court and was nolle prossed ... in lieu of federal prosecution. Case pled to a single count of mail fraud. Advisory guideline range called for 15-21 months' imprisonment.

Appeals

Comm. v. B.W.

Jan 19, 2023

OUTCOME: Vacated; Affirmed

Client had ten probationary cases. He violated multiple times, and trial court provided new terms of probation. On last violation, trial court imposed a state prison sentence. Client was brought bac ... k two days after, and that sentence was amended to be a harsher sentence. Prior counsel failed to take a timely appeal. Sentence afterward was adjusted again (unfavorably) outside the time in which the court could act. Appellate rights were reinstated and an appeal was taken, which vacated the last sentence.

Ryan Harrison James's Legal Cases (47)

Commw v. C.C.

Commw. v. K.J.

Commw. v. Z.S.

USA v. K.B.

USA v. C.W.

Commw v. Thompson

Commw. v. C.F.

Commw. v. S.H.

USA v. L.B.

Comm. v. B.W.