Monthly Archives: December 2019
Pennsylvania Law Has Five Times More Criminal Offenses Today than in the 1970s
A recent report from the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania opened the state up to some criticism of its criminal justice system. According to the report, the state’s criminal code had 282 offenses in 1972, but that number rose to 636 by 2010 and more than 1,500 in 2019, meaning there are now five […]
What Defenses Exist in Cases of Wire Fraud?
Wire fraud is a criminal offense that occurs when a person intentionally uses a communications device (such as the internet or a telephone) as a means of defrauding another person of their property or anything of value. In certain circumstances, wire fraud can result in significant fines and prison time. The defenses a person charged […]
Are Police Allowed to Question Children About a Crime?
If a police officer approached your child to ask them a question about a crime, you might be wondering whether or not that method of questioning is actually legal. The answer is yes—police are allowed to approach children to ask them questions about their potential involvement in a crime or if they have any knowledge […]
Pennsylvania Comes Step Closer to Legalizing Recreational Marijuana
A pair of Pennsylvania state senators recently introduced a bill that would legalize marijuana in the state. The proposed legislation comes several weeks after Governor Tom Wolf proclaimed himself to be in favor of such legalization. Under the bill proposed by Sens. Daylin Leach (D) and Sharif Street (D), adults age 21 and older would […]
Pennsylvania Governor Seeks to Pardon People With Marijuana Convictions
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf voiced his intention earlier this fall to pardon people with past marijuana convictions, as the state also continues to mull the legalization of recreational marijuana. What would the process of receiving a pardon or an expungement look like, from a practical standpoint? Here’s a quick overview. The possibility of a marijuana […]
