Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Teach Your Children − the Legal Perils of High School Sex
Michelle was 12 years old and in 7th grade, but her neighbor and best friend was 16 and in high school. The two girls walked to school together every morning since their schools were only three blocks apart. Chris, a 17-year-old athlete at the local high school, often joined the girls on their way to […]
Five Things You Need to Know About Juvenile Justice
Unlike adult criminal courts whose focus is primarily punishment and deterrence, the juvenile court system is focused on rehabilitating delinquent children through a wide variety of programs to make them responsible and productive members of the community Nonetheless, any parent should be concerned about the collateral consequences of certain juvenile court adjudications. Juvenile adjudications − […]
Distracted Driving — It’s a Danger to All
Earlier this year in Berks County, a tour bus driver was fired from his job for driving while scrolling through his smartphone emails and texts. At one point he reached for another electronic device and took his hands off the steering wheel while the bus was moving. His distracted driving was caught on video by […]
Sexual Violence in Juvenile Detention Facilities
The Department of Justice just released a shocking report, the National Survey of Youth in Custody, on the incidence of sexual assault and other involuntary sexual acts committed on juveniles in the nation’s detention facilities. Nationwide the figure looms darkly: 9.5 percent of children incarcerated have experienced sexual violence. In Pennsylvania, the figure is 7.5 […]
Missing Children — What to Know
Nationally the FBI’s National Crime Information Center database indicated that there were more than 85,000 active missing-person records by the end of 2011. In Pennsylvania, that number was just over 3,350 as of February 1, 2013. We have many misconceptions about why and how children go missing. Here are some facts you should know: Only […]
Internet Privacy — What You Need to Know
Admit it: When did you ever read through a privacy statement on a website? Americans visit an average of 1,462 different websites annually. To read all of the privacy statements connected with each would take 10 days a year — if you are a fast reader able to get through a lot of legalese. The […]
Kill Switch Technology and Your Smartphone
In 2012, 1.6 Americans had their smartphones stolen. Almost one out of three robberies involves a smartphone, costing Americans $30 billion. There is even an expression to describe the theft of iPhones, iPads and iPods: Apple picking. Yet it is a crime that could be ended instantly. It’s called a “kill switch.” This new technology, […]
Once You Have Served Your Time
Although some states have permanent or conditional limitations on the ability of ex-felons to participate fully in our democratic society, Pennsylvania does not prevent ex-felons from voting. Only felons who are still incarcerated are prohibited from voting. Once released, on either parole or probation, the right to vote for Pennsylvania residents is automatically restored. In […]
New DNA Testing Coming to Pennsylvania
The United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, has ruled that police can constitutionally collect DNA samples, along with fingerprints, at the arrest of suspects charged with serious crimes. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Senate has just passed legislation to strengthen the state’s DNA laws, similar to the statute validated in Maryland v. King. First year […]
Four Tips to Keep Your Child from Becoming a Bully
It seems like every week there is another story about a schoolyard bully torturing his prey, sometimes to the point where the victim commits suicide. Schools, victims’ rights groups and community groups are creating awareness of the problem and asking adults to get involved. Many of tomorrow’s criminals begin as today’s bullies, so curbing your […]
