Tag Archives: criminal defense attorney
What are the Elements of a Public Intoxication Charge?
Public intoxication is considered a criminal offense in many cases, and there are several elements that must exist for the prosecution to successfully secure a conviction in this type of case. Here are the main elements of a public intoxication crime: Being in public: For an incident to qualify as public intoxication, the person in […]
Recent Homicides by Pennsylvania Parolees Could Lead to Systemic Changes
Over the first half of the summer, six homicides were allegedly committed by five different parolees in the state of Pennsylvania. Victims included a police officer and a pair of children. Now, law enforcement and state officials are investigating whether changes to the state’s parole system are needed. County prosecutors and the state corrections officers’ […]
What Does the Law Say About Juvenile Weapons Possession?
Every state in the nation has its own set of limitations with regard to the right to purchase, own and possess weapons. There are particularly strong limitations with regard to juvenile weapons possession. In some cases, juvenile who illegally possesses weapons may be charged and tried as an adult. Below are some issues to consider […]
Pennsylvania Governor Signs Executive Order Aimed at Reducing Gun Violence
In the wake of a highly publicized shootout involving police officers in Philadelphia, Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order aimed at reducing gun violence in the state. There are five primary components of this order, which is the first of its kind in the United States at any level of government. Those components are […]
Reading Sees Drop in Crime in First Quarter 2019
There’s good news from the Reading Police Department: the city saw a reduction in crime in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the first quarter of 2018. It was a 28 percent decline, marking a fairly significant improvement over the first several months of last year. Police officials praised the work of their officers […]
What are Your Miranda Rights?
When police officers make an arrest, they are required to read you your Miranda rights. The exact verbiage is as follows: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an […]
Key Elements of an Evidence Tampering Charge
Tampering with evidence involves a person destroying, concealing or otherwise altering evidence related to a crime with the specific intent to influence the outcome of a criminal investigation or court proceeding. It may be any type of physical evidence, so long as there is a clear intent to interfere with an investigation. To defend against […]
What to Know About Juvenile Vandalism Charges
Vandalism is one of the more common crimes that comes up in juvenile court. It’s often an act of rebellion. However, vandalism can lead to destruction of property and expensive cleanup and repairs, which means courts will take the crime seriously. How do courts handle vandalism by teens? Vandalism is defined as the intentional damage […]
Is Ignorance of the Law Ever a Valid Defense?
You may have heard the phrase “ignorance of the law is no excuse” before. However, there are some cases in which ignorance of the law can be a valid defense, although it’s somewhat rare. In general, it does not matter if you knew an action was illegal when you performed it. However, you should be […]
Can Police Search Your Cell Phone After an Arrest?
Law enforcement officers have the right to search your person upon placing you under arrest. This includes searching the area in your immediate vicinity, along with your pockets, clothing and bags. But if officers pull out your phone, are they allowed to start searching through the data contained on it? Or do they require a […]
