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Drug Treatment Courts Hailed as Successful
Drug and alcohol treatment courts clearly depart from the traditional judicial model. Nevertheless, their effectiveness in preventing recidivism and promoting true rehabilitation has been noted in nearly every jurisdiction where they are used. In Berks County, the Drug/Mental Health Treatment Court program began operation in 2005 to target a population of non-violent probation and parole […]
Employment Opportunities for People with Criminal Histories
The American criminal justice system has often been criticized as little more than a revolving door through which disadvantaged people spend the bulk of their lives in prison with brief interludes of freedom interspersed. Unfortunately, such a view is not completely unjustified. Even ex-convicts with an earnest desire to turn their lives around after release […]
PA Supreme Court Redefines Vehicle Search Exception
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects people from being subjected to unreasonable searches of their persons and possessions unless police first obtain a warrant. However, federal court precedent has long recognized an exception for vehicles and has permitted warrantless searches as long as they were supported by probable cause. The Pennsylvania Constitution provided […]
White Collar Crime in Schools
When most people think of white collar crime, they imagine corporate boardrooms and national corporations. However, white collar crime can occur in the public sector as well — even the school system. While it may be difficult to imagine what type of white collar corruption could involve school administrators and teachers, recent news in the […]
Expunging Your Juvenile Record in PA
Many people believe incorrectly that juvenile arrest and delinquency records are sealed either at a certain time after the resolution of the case or when the juvenile reaches the age of 18. In fact, while juvenile records may not be as publically available as adult records, they can be accessed by certain parties and remain […]
School Zone Enhancement is Broader than You Think
Many individuals arrested for possessing or distributing drugs are surprised to learn they are being charged with possession in a school zone. They adamantly contend that they did not know a school was nearby, that school wasn’t in session or that they had no intention to sell to students. What they do not realize is […]
Unexpected Charges for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious charge in Pennsylvania. Many a person has been somewhat surprised to face DUI charges after being stopped driving home from a restaurant or bar. One drink too many is all it takes. However, the rules governing controlled substances and the operation of motor vehicles are even harsher. […]
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U.S. Supreme Court Considers Cell Phone Searches
It is difficult to imagine a more concentrated store of information than a modern cell phone. It seems doubtful that the framers of the Constitution — or even the justices of the Supreme Court several decades ago — could have imagined that a warehouse full of personal information could be stored on a device smaller […]