Tag Archives: criminal defense
Consequences for Failing to Pay a Traffic Ticket
When a driver receives a ticket, he or she has two options: admit their guilt and pay the fine, or contest the ticket and citation in traffic court. A failure to pay the ticket when required to do so could result in additional consequences that range in severity depending on the circumstances of your case. […]
Common Reasons for Driver’s License Suspension
License suspension and revocation are available sentences for certain types of crimes. Here are just a few examples of reasons why a court may choose to suspend or revoke your license. DUI/DWI convictions: Most states have mandatory minimum penalties for DUI/DWI convictions, which may include automatic license suspension. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your conviction, […]
How to Choose a Criminal Defense Attorney
Are you facing criminal charges? One of the first steps you should take when being charged is to seek a criminal defense attorney who can advocate for you in court. If you’ve never been charged with a crime and have never worked with an attorney, it can be difficult to know where to begin in […]
What to Do if You’re Falsely Accused of a Crime
It is an unfortunate reality that false criminal accusations can and do happen. Even though they aren’t a rampant problem, they do happen frequently enough that it is important for you to know what steps to take if it happens to you. A victim or witness could accidentally identify the wrong suspect, or circumstances of […]
Pennsylvania Still Has the Death Penalty, While Other States Continue to Move Away From It
Pennsylvania had a big year of criminal justice reforms in 2019. But so far, one change that has not gotten any traction (or even much discussion at all) is the potential to move away from the death penalty, even as other states around the nation continue to abandon it. Two thirds of states in the […]
2019 Was a Big Year for Criminal Justice Reform in Pennsylvania
The last year saw some landmark legislation and major changes criminal justice system to the Pennsylvania criminal justice system, many of which were long overdue. Here is just a quick overview of some major changes to the state’s criminal laws that came in 2019 that will have far-reaching effects for many years to come. Justice […]
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Take Action on “Ghost Guns”
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro recently released a legal opinion that classified unfinished gun frames as firearms under state law, which closes a significant loophole that has existed for years in gun laws. Before Shapiro issued this clarification, felons who could otherwise not purchase firearms at gun shows could still purchase partial frames at these […]
Gun Rights Activists Push Back Against Firearm Restrictions
A group of gun rights activists in Pennsylvania has started to lobby state and county leaders to pass a series of so-called “Second Amendment Sanctuary” ordinances to say local officials will not comply with certain firearms restrictions those advocates believe to be unconstitutional. One county, Bradford County, already passed such a resolution in December, and […]
Common Examples of Field Sobriety Tests
Law enforcement officers often use field sobriety tests when they have pulled people over on suspicion of DUI to gauge whether or not the suspect is under the influence of alcohol. Here are a few common examples of these field sobriety tests and how they’re conducted. Horizontal gaze nystagmus This test involves the officer asking […]
