Current stay-at-home orders have meant that most Pennsvylanians have been at home, battling boredom and attempting to adjust to a new normal. This unprecedented situation has undoubtedly taken a toll on residents, and it has affected people's behaviors and decisions....
Criminal Defense
Served with a Protection from Abuse order? What you should know
Relationships are complicated, particularly when one or both parties are angry or wanting to end it. People say things they may not mean and do things they know they should not do. And in the heat of a fight or breakup, allegations of threats or assault can arise....
Pretrial assessment programs do not appear to capture actual risk
In America today, the large majority of people being held in local jails have not been convicted of any crime. Instead, they are being held in pretrial detention. That means they have either been denied bail or have been assigned a bail amount that they cannot afford....
Pennsylvania lawmaker moves to legalize marijuana
A Pennsylvania legislator has introduced a bill that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults. The proposed legislation (HB 50), which would amend the state's Medical Marijuana Act, has 26 co-sponsors, as well as supporters in the Senate. The bill's...
The different types of assault charges in Pennsylvania
If you have been accused of assault, the consequences that you face will depend largely on the type of assault you were accused of and the circumstances surrounding the alleged event. In order to defend yourself successfully, it is important that you first take the...
New Pennsylvania law seals records for some convicts
Many social observers say that criminal penalties for minor crimes have been too high for too long. The sentences for many petty offenses, especially ones connected to violence or drug use, can include years in prison. In addition, convictions or even charges alone...
New Pennsylvania law increases DUI penalties
Pennsylvania drivers who have had multiple DUIs and/or caused a DUI-related death are now facing harsher criminal penalties thanks to a new law that went into effect just before Christmas. Third DUI offenses that involve a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .16 or...
Pennsylvania imposing stricter penalties for DUIs
Pennsylvania drivers will see new, stiffer penalties for drunk driving - just in time for New Year's celebrations. The future consequences will focus on "high-risk offenders" who continuously drive impaired or drive with a DUI-related suspended license. The penalties...
Can the Castle Doctrine be used as a defense for violent crimes?
Violence is never a recommended way to solve a problem, but it can be the only way out of a dangerous situation under Pennsylvania law. Nearly every jurisdiction recognizes a person's right to self-defense, while the Keystone State also features a clause that can keep...
Understanding the self-defense laws of Pennsylvania
All states make allowances in the law for using force -- even potentially deadly force -- against another person if it's believed necessary to prevent serious harm to themselves or other people, and even to protect property. These are generally referred to as...
