Category Archives: Criminal Defense
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 […]
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 […]
What is House Arrest and When is it Applied?
If you are put under house arrest, it usually means you are confined to your home rather than having to go to a juvenile detention or prison facility. It is often cited as an affordable alternative to imprisonment, especially for people who are considered to be a low risk to society. People under house arrest […]
What Happens in Cases Involving Police Misconduct?
Police misconduct occurs when a law enforcement officer somehow violates the law while on the job. However, not every single violation of the law can be considered police misconduct. For example, a police officer speeding while in pursuit of a suspect is technically a violation of speed limit laws, but in this case, the infraction […]
How Do Felony Arrest Warrants Work?
When someone commits a crime, but was not arrested in the course of actually committing it, courts may issue arrest warrants giving police officers the necessary authority to charge the suspect with a crime and make the arrest. A felony arrest warrant is the specific type of warrant issued in a crime classified as a […]
The Various Types of Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors are “lesser” crimes, typically punishable by a fine, probation, community service, court supervision and/or up to 5 years in jail (or any combination of these penalties). Although misdemeanors may be classified into several degrees depending on their severity, they may also be grouped into several categories depending on the nature of the crime. The […]
