Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Grand Jury Report of Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania Catholic Church Shocks Churchgoers, Vatican
Likely the biggest news in Pennsylvania this month has been the grand jury report outlining the sexual abuse committed by more than 300 predator priests across six state Catholic dioceses. More than 1,000 child victims are described in the report. It’s expected that there are thousands more whose records were lost or who never came […]
Murder via Breastfeeding: A Crime Made Possible by Opioids
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has long stated that even infants of new mothers battling addiction can benefit greatly from breastfeeding. However, the organization does recognize the varying circumstances at play when mothers are addicted to drugs. In Pennsylvania, one mother has been charged with criminal homicide after her 11-week-old son died from a combination […]
Activists Push for Pennsylvania to Stop Suspending Licenses for Non-Driving Offenses
In recent months, activists and those in the legal community have pushed Pennsylvania lawmakers to create legislation that would stop the suspension of licenses for individuals charged with offenses unrelated to driving. Currently mandatory license revocation applies to serious non-driving offenses such as drug crimes and failure to pay child support, but it can also […]
Why You Need a Lawyer When Facing Criminal Charges
In almost any circumstance in which you have been charged with a crime, it is in your best interest to retain an attorney. This is especially true if you could face harsh penalties like prison or jail time or significant fines. It is extremely difficult for the average person to competently handle his or her […]
Invoking Your Right to Silence with Police
If you’ve watched enough cop shows on TV, you know you have the right to remain silent after you have been arrested. Your Miranda rights, which stem from the case of Miranda v. Arizona (1965), are the rights officers are required by law to read to you when taking you into custody. These rights inform […]
An Overview of Pennsylvania’s Open Container Laws
Open container laws are common throughout the United States. Their purpose is to prohibit the possession or consumption of any alcoholic beverages in open containers in passenger compartments of vehicles — even for people who are not driving the vehicle. Open container laws do not typically apply to any vehicles located on private property. They […]
Pennsylvania Lawmaker Wants to End Life Without Parole Sentences
A legislator in Pennsylvania has kicked off an initiative to end life without parole prison sentences. If he is successful, Pennsylvania would be the very first state to remove life without parole as a possibility for any crime. Senate Bill 942 was introduced by Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) in October. A rally for the bill […]
Pennsylvania Gun Laws Have Hunting Loopholes
In a time when a great deal of national attention is focused on gun laws and access to firearms, Pennsylvania has come under criticism for loopholes that exist in the state’s gun laws. An unusual quirk of the law in Pennsylvania forbids people with certain criminal convictions from carrying guns. However, these same offenders can […]
Penalties for Shoplifting in Pennsylvania
Shoplifting in Pennsylvania comes with serious penalties, including fines and jail time. The degree of these penalties depends on the circumstances of the crime in question. Any merchant or business owner who has reason to believe an individual has shoplifted is legally allowed to detain that individual long enough to determine if a crime has […]
