Category Archives: Criminal Defense
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Judges May Order Community Service as Part of a Sentence
Community service, occasionally known in the legal world as community restitution, is a type of punishment in criminal law levied with the intent to benefit a community that has somehow been harmed by an offender. Judges typically order community service in addition to other forms of punishment, including fines, probation and/or imprisonment. Community service may […]
How Does Bail Work in Pennsylvania?
Bail is cash or property an arrested person can put up to ensure his or her appearance in court when it is ordered. Posting bail allows you to get out of jail and await your court appearance — but under strict rules. Only judges are responsible for setting a defendant’s bail. Because most people want […]
Are Employers Liable for Assault Occurring in the Workplace?
Assault in the workplace is an unfortunate reality that must be confronted by employers and employees alike. It can be prevented when both sides take the proper steps to avoid conflict or address any issues before a situation escalates. But when assault occurs in the workplace, is the employer liable? The answer is “yes” in […]
Berks County Man Arrested After Committing Bank Robbery
A 31-year-old man from Berks County was arrested and charged with committing a bank robbery the morning of January 29 at Fulton Bank in West Manchester Township. On the morning of the robbery, the man allegedly walked into the bank with his hood up and gloves on his hands, handing a note to the teller […]
State Senator Proposes Changes to Pennsylvania Felony Murder Rule
Pennsylvania State Senator Daylin Leach is drafting legislation that would remove the existing felony murder rule from the language that defines second-degree murder in Pennsylvania. Currently, individuals in Pennsylvania who are convicted of second-degree murder receive a mandatory life sentence. Second-degree murder differs from first-degree murder in that it is not premeditated or necessarily intentional. […]
