Author Archives: David R. Eshelman
Obtaining a Restricted Driver’s License in Pennsylvania
If you have had your driver’s license temporarily suspended in Pennsylvania, you may be wondering how you will be able to transport yourself to school or work. It’s important to know that you do have some options if you find yourself in this difficult situation. Pennsylvania law allows you to apply for a restricted driver’s […]
Benefits of Treatment Over Punishment When It Comes to Drug Crimes
Throughout Pennsylvania and across the country, increasing numbers of public officials are coming to the realization that prioritizing treatment over incarceration for drug offenders could save taxpayers billions of dollars in the long term. And, these efforts would likely benefit communities and actually improve public safety. According to the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, these cost […]
Quad State Legislative Conference Focuses on Justice Reform
Criminal justice reform was one of the primary areas of focus at the recent Quad-State Legislative Conference, which featured state legislators from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The annual conference, which took place in August, featured discussions on policy issues important to each state — and finding solutions to crime was determined to be […]
Gov. Wolf Aims to Decriminalize Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has joined an increasing number of public officials who support the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. During an interview on PBS affiliate WITF, Gov. Wolf said that arrests for possession of small amounts of the drug are “clogging up our prisons…and it’s hurting our economy.” He went on to say […]
State Records Office Seeks Access to Crime Scene Videos
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records is asking a judge to allow the agency access to video footage from state police, which is fighting the measure. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, state police officials believe it is within their legal right to withhold the videos from agencies such as the Office of Open Records, an […]
Officials Look at Better Ways to Manage Opioid Epidemic
A 75-member advisory group working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office is getting closer to unveiling an action plan to combat the opioid epidemic impact communities throughout Pennsylvania and across the country. The advisory group, which includes law enforcement officials, health experts and drug abuse prevention specialists (among other professionals), is working on a plan to […]
Sentencing Reform Advocates Call for Review of Pennsylvania Laws
Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), a national organization that advocates for sentencing reform across the United States, has officially called for a review of how courts in Pennsylvania approach sentencing for individuals convicted of criminal offenses. According to an August news release, FAMM called on Pennsylvania’s Justice Reinvestment Working Group to examine and address how […]
Lab Error May Have Caused Inaccurate BAC Results in Erie County
The discovery of a testing error at a laboratory facility means that about 1,700 Erie County blood alcohol content (BAC) results have needed to be reviewed. According to initial reports, the reprocessing resulted in several tests that needed to be adjusted. However, it’s not yet clear what that will mean for the driving under the […]
Pennsylvania Attorney General Convicted on 9 Criminal Counts
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement official has been forced to resign after being convicted on nine different criminal counts. Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane officially left her post Tuesday, August 30 after a jury found her guilty on nine criminal charges, including two felony counts of perjury. At issue have been accusations that […]
