Author Archives: David R. Eshelman
Could You Be Jailed for Selling Fake Drugs?
The penalties for selling drugs like marijuana, heroin and cocaine are well known. But what happens if you sell someone fake drugs under the premise they are the real thing? Could you still be subject to criminal charges? There are several state and federal laws in place that do make it illegal to sell fake […]
What Happens at an Arraignment?
An arraignment is the very first part of the courtroom proceedings in criminal cases. It is your first appearance in front of a judge, at which time you will be informed of the crimes with which you have been charged. Arraignments are required under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as a way to […]
Homeowners May Be Liable for Providing Alcohol to Guests
If you have a party at your home involving alcohol, you have certain legal responsibilities to ensure the safety of your guests. Any accidents or injuries that occur as a result of you serving alcohol or drugs could be considered partially your fault, including if a driver causes an accident while under the influence. Under […]
What Happens When Police Stop Vehicles to Administer Sobriety Tests?
Police officers who suspect drivers to be legally drunk will likely pull over those individuals for some sort of traffic violation or suspicious driving movements, such as weaving, crossing the center line or extremely slow driving. While you are still in your vehicle, an officer will look for visible signs of intoxication based on how […]
Proposed Bill Would Allow Nonviolent Misdemeanors to be Expunged
A new bill proposed by Pennsylvania lawmakers earlier this summer would allow state citizens convicted of nonviolent misdemeanors to seek the expungement of their criminal records. Under the proposed law, judges would have the power to partially seal criminal records in specific cases. People who were convicted of second- and third-degree nonviolent misdemeanors could ask […]
Drug Abuse and Overdose Statistics in Pennsylvania
A report titled “Prescription Drug Abuse: Strategies to Stop the Epidemic” reveals that Pennsylvania has the 14th-highest mortality rate for drug overdoses in the country, at a rate of 15.3 per 100,000 people. The total number of deaths from drug overdoses in the state, most of which result from use of prescription drugs, increased by […]
Pennsylvania Participates in National DUI Crackdown
Police throughout Pennsylvania are taking part in a national initiative focused on the aggressive enforcement of driving under the influence (DUI) laws. The national campaign is called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” and the Pennsylvania Driving Under the Influence Association announced that state police would officially be participating. There are more than 50 DUI […]
Recent Drug Bust Could Cause State to Review Possession Laws
A recent drug bust resulted in one individual from Pennsylvania and three from West Virginia facing serious heroin-related drug charges. The investigation began when a state trooper found a 32-year-old Pennsylvania woman passed out alongside a road in Falling Waters, West Virginia. The trooper reportedly investigated her vehicle and found heroin and other drug paraphernalia […]
Pennsylvania State Senator Wants Tougher DUI Laws
Sen. Lloyd Smucker, a Republican state senator from Lancaster, is working on a new bill that would add some tough new elements to the state’s laws regarding driving under the influence (DUI). The bill would target people who have had more than two DUI convictions within a 10-year period. Repeat offenders whose actions result in […]
