Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Adults in Pennsylvania Who Let Minors Drink Face Potentially Stiff Penalties
Pennsylvania law takes underage drinking seriously, and adults in the state who let minors drink could face very serious penalties. As an example, on New Year’s Eve, police busted at least nine underage drinkers at a party in Jackson Township. There were two adults at home, who were charged with selling or providing liquor to […]
Law Enforcement Debating How to Handle Rising Murder Rate in Reading
Reading’s homicide rate finished 2018 at more than double what it was in 2017, a statistic that has alarmed both community members and law enforcement officers. City and county officials largely blame issues associated with drugs and gangs, but there have been differing opinions over which strategies can best resolve those issues. Reading has a […]
Data Analytics Become a Big Part of Fighting Local Crime
Local law enforcement officials recently demonstrated a new strategy they’ve been using to fight and reduce crime throughout the Reading area. The method involves the use of data analytics. While this is not entirely new to the Reading Police Department, officers have been expanding their use of data in recent months. All county departments in […]
18 People Arrested in Major Drug Bust in Reading
Law enforcement officials in Reading recently arrested 18 people in connection with a drug trafficking organization. The bust, called Operation K-O’d, was the result of an investigation that began in May, 2018 when a concerned citizen informed police of suspected drug activity at two locations in the city. Upon investigating, police discovered the distribution network […]
Do Police Need Warrants to Extract Evidence from Social Media Profiles?
People are putting information about themselves and their lives on the internet more than ever, thanks to the explosion of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If you are not careful with your privacy settings, you might find that content you thought you were just sharing with friends and family is actually available […]
Private Attorneys vs. Public Defenders: How Do They Stack Up?
When you are accused of a crime, you have the right to an attorney. As the arresting officer tells you while reading your Miranda rights, if you are unable to afford a private defense attorney of your own, you will be provided with an attorney known as a public defender. In either case, the job […]
New Anti-Hazing Law Introduced After Death of Penn State Fraternity Member
The Pennsylvania state legislature recently passed an anti-hazing law that was proposed after the death of a Penn State student who had been drinking at a fraternity house in early 2017. Gov. Tom Wolf signed the bill into law shortly after the legislature passed it. The bill allows prosecutors to seek stricter criminal penalties and […]
Pennsylvania Senate Passes Bill to Change Definition of Crime Victim
The most recent session of the Pennsylvania state legislature featured some contentious debates over various pieces of legislation and issues. Perhaps the most important development of the session was the passage of Senate Bill 897. The new law expands the definition of a victim of a crime to include nonprofit organizations, businesses and other entities. […]
How Does Bail Work in Pennsylvania?
When you are arrested and put in jail, your first thought is likely to question how you can get out — and quickly. In most cases, the fastest way to get yourself out of jail is by posting bail. Bail can be posted in the form of cash, a bond or property you give to […]
What Does it Mean to Plead No Contest?
It’s quite rare for a defendant to plead guilty without reaching a deal with the prosecution. Usually, the defendant will plead guilty and give up the right to a trial in exchange for either of the following: Accepting a conviction for a lesser offense Lessening the punishment for the offense the defendant was charged with […]
