Author Archives: David R. Eshelman
Remember: Your Arrest Might Not Lead to Conviction
Just because you are placed under arrest does not mean the criminal charges filed will result in a conviction. The following are some of the situations that most commonly do not lead to a conviction: The offense is relatively insignificant. Prosecutors often view certain types of crimes as being eligible for a pre-trial diversionary program. […]
What Happens After Your Custodial Arrest in Pennsylvania?
Being placed under physical arrest can be a frightening and intimidating experience. Few people know what to expect in these circumstances. In general, you will go through the following process: You are placed under arrest and taken to a location to be booked. After booking, you must wait in jail or in a holding cell […]
Understanding Juvenile Drug Possession Laws
Juvenile drug possession occurs when any person under the age of 18 knowingly possesses a controlled substance without a legal reason to do so. Minors could be subject to harsh penalties when found guilty of drug possession — although these cases are generally not handled in standard trial courts. Instead, their cases are sent to […]
Laws Governing the Manufacturing of Illegal Drugs
Manufacturing controlled substances is prohibited by federal and state law unless you are appropriately licensed to do so by both federal and state authorities. This issue most commonly arises in situations in which a person is either growing marijuana or cooking methamphetamine, but it can apply to any situation in which a controlled substance is […]
When and How to Appeal a Criminal Sentence
If you’ve been convicted of a crime, you have the right to appeal your sentence to a higher court. The appeals court will affirm the decision made by the sentencing judge unless legal or factual errors have been made in the original case. Legal errors You have the best chance of success in an appeal […]
Homicide by Vehicle Bill Hits Pennsylvania Legislature
State Rep. Dan Moul has attempted to toughen Pennsylvania’s vehicular homicide laws in the past, but has not yet been successful. Now he has a new bill, House Bill 1353, going through the Pennsylvania legislature. It has already passed by a landslide in the House of Representatives and is now subject to a vote in […]
Pennsylvania Parents Charged After Teens’ Drinking Party
A Pennsylvania husband and wife face criminal charges after reportedly allowing about 300 teenagers to party at their home in a Philadelphia suburb. The couple was charged with providing alcohol to minors, corruption of minors and disorderly conduct. A 17-year-old boy believed to be the couple’s son was also charged with underage possession and consumption […]
Lancaster Activists Push for Changes to Pennsylvania DUI Law
A Lancaster couple has come to the forefront of potential driving under the influence (DUI) reform in Pennsylvania, acting on behalf of all families in the state who have lost a loved one to drunk driving. Chris and Susan Demko lost their 18-year-old daughter in July 2014 to a driver who was reportedly under the […]
Pennsylvania Man Charged with DUI After Setting Up Fake Checkpoint
A Pennsylvania man found himself in a great deal of legal trouble after being arrested for driving under the influence. According to police, he had set up a fake drunk driving checkpoint, only to be charged with a DUI himself once actual police officers arrived at the scene to investigate. According to authorities in Somerset, […]
DEA Considers Reclassification of Marijuana
According to reports, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is seriously considering a reclassification of marijuana, which would make it (in a legal sense) less dangerous and less serious than heroin. There has been what many have called a growing “heroin epidemic” in the United States over the last decade. It’s an extremely addictive drug […]
