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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 […]
Common Examples of Field Sobriety Tests
Law enforcement officers often use field sobriety tests when they have pulled people over on suspicion of DUI to gauge whether or not the suspect is under the influence of alcohol. Here are a few common examples of these field sobriety tests and how they’re conducted. Horizontal gaze nystagmus This test involves the officer asking […]
What is a DUI Checkpoint?
DUI checkpoints, also known as DUI roadblocks or sobriety checkpoints, are becoming an increasingly popular tool used by law enforcement agencies across the country to help combat widespread issues with drivers being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. But what exactly are these checkpoints and how are they deployed? Here’s a quick overview. What […]
Recent Homicides by Pennsylvania Parolees Could Lead to Systemic Changes
Over the first half of the summer, six homicides were allegedly committed by five different parolees in the state of Pennsylvania. Victims included a police officer and a pair of children. Now, law enforcement and state officials are investigating whether changes to the state’s parole system are needed. County prosecutors and the state corrections officers’ […]
What is the Crime of ‘Disturbing the Peace?’
Disturbing the peace is a crime also known as “disorderly conduct” or “breach of the peace.” It involves a person acting in such a way that disrupts the public or undoes a community’s tranquility. This encompasses a wide range of specific crimes, and law enforcement officers have considerable latitude to classify crimes as “disturbing the […]
Pennsylvania Official Claims Civil Complaints Were Misclassified for Years
According to a Pennsylvania state official, a judge in the state frequently misclassified civil complaints about unpaid bills as thefts. This occurred over the course of years, resulting in hundreds of people allegedly having criminal records they did not earn. The judge in question is former District Judge Brenda Williams Nichols, who allegedly misclassified these […]
What Does the Law Say About Juvenile Weapons Possession?
Every state in the nation has its own set of limitations with regard to the right to purchase, own and possess weapons. There are particularly strong limitations with regard to juvenile weapons possession. In some cases, juvenile who illegally possesses weapons may be charged and tried as an adult. Below are some issues to consider […]
What Happens if a Person Violates Parole?
A prisoner released on parole must comply with certain conditions geared toward his or her complete rehabilitation. This includes regular meetings with a parole officer, refraining from interacting with criminals and gangs, maintaining steady employment, abiding by travel restrictions and curfews and other similar conditions. A violation of parole conditions can result in the parolee […]
Pennsylvania Governor Celebrates Anniversary of Clean Slate Law
Earlier this summer, Governor Tom Wolf celebrated the one-year anniversary of Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate Law. With the occasion, the automatic sealing of some criminal records written into the legislation went into effect. Pennsylvania becomes the very first state to automatically seal certain eligible criminal records so that they do not affect a person’s chance for […]
Debate Continues Over Proper Usage of License Plate Readers in Pennsylvania
Local police departments across Pennsylvania use a special type of camera that automatically reads license plates. They have been a well-received tool in the world of law enforcement, but some elected officials believe additional regulation is necessary to ensure the data captured by these tools is not compromised. There are currently no state regulations for […]
