Author Archives: David R. Eshelman
Expunging Juvenile Court Records
If you have a record of juvenile offenses, you may be able to file a petition for expungement in court to clear that record. This would allow for that crime to no longer show up on your background checks when applying for jobs, loans, apartments and more. You do need to meet certain standards of […]
Mobile Street Crimes Unit in Harrisburg Leads to 239 Arrests
Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane recently announced that a task force instituted to combat the presence of prevalent violent and drug-related crime has been successful in Harrisburg. The Mobile Street Crimes Unit that was deployed to the state capitol resulted in the arrests of 239 people for a variety of drug and violence-related crimes. […]
Can You Vote in Pennsylvania If You’ve Been Convicted of a Crime?
Between recent voter ID laws, rumors of voter fraud and the ever-present concerns about the reliability of voting technology, it seems one of our greatest privileges as American citizens is a source of constant debate, controversy and anxiety. One of the most contentious and confusing aspects of voting rights, though, is the way a criminal […]
Supreme Court: Police Need Warrant to Search Cell Phones
In a rare unanimous ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that police may not search suspects’ cell phones without first obtaining a warrant. The ruling is seen by many as a broad endorsement of the right to privacy in the digital age, and could potentially be seen to apply to tablets, laptops and other technologies. […]
Penalties for Mail and Wire Fraud in Pennsylvania
Mail and wire fraud can be some of the most complex charges an accused person can face, as well as some of the most damaging. One of the biggest dangers in being charged with mail or wire fraud is that such charges allow federal prosecutors to get involved, which can lead to much stiffer penalties […]
Statewide Sweep Results in 27 Arrests for Insurance Fraud
A recent sweep led to 27 people being placed under arrest for insurance fraud in Pennsylvania. The offenses are unrelated, but Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane believes this wave of arrests will send the message that insurance fraud will not be tolerated in the state. Among those arrested were two New Jersey men who […]
Protecting Your Record: Expungements in Pennsylvania
Having a criminal record remains a major hurdle to a number of benefits, privileges and opportunities to better your life. It can make it harder to find quality work and good housing, prevent you from becoming professionally licensed, bar you from international travel and restrict your opportunity to attain higher education. In short, even if […]
Pennsylvania Ramps Up Efforts to Target Heroin-Related Drug Crimes
In an effort to crack down on a growing heroin problem, Pennsylvania is joining with New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts to form an interstate coalition for investigating and prosecuting heroin traffickers. It is expected that other Northeastern states will join the group in the coming weeks. The idea for the coalition grew out of […]
Pennsylvania Legislature Passes Ignition Interlock Bill
In an effort to address Pennsylvania’s drunk driving problem, the state Senate approved a bill that will require DUI offenders whose blood alcohol concentration exceeded 0.10 to install ignition interlocks in their vehicles. The bill passed unanimously 50-0, and will proceed to the House, where it is expected to be approved. While ignition interlocks have […]
Marijuana Legalization Efforts Stall, Advocates Push On
Although the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is beginning to seem amenable to the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes and the overall movement on the issue is trending toward broad legalization, the House does not yet seem ready to sign on to a bill that recently passed the Senate. While the Senate bill took almost […]
