What to Do If Your Child Has Been Charged with a DUI in PA
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol is a factor in more than one third of fatal crashes involving 16 to 20 year olds. In an effort to reduce this heavy toll, Pennsylvania has instituted a zero tolerance…
What Happens If a Police Officer Doesn’t Read Me My Miranda Rights in PA?
If a police officer fails to inform you of your Miranda rights, any incriminating statements you make in response to police questioning may not be used against you at your criminal trial. But this process is not automatic. You will…
Factors that Cause DUI False Positives
Breathalyzer devices are powerful pieces of technology that help law enforcement keep our roads safe. However, many people don’t realize that they aren’t infallible. Just because the breathalyzer device says that your BAC is over the legal limit doesn’t mean…
New Law Makes Hazing a Felony in Pennsylvania
In response to the death of a Penn State freshman, Pennsylvania has enacted a new anti-hazing law. Known as the “Timothy Piazza Anti-Hazing Law,” the new legislation raises the classification of fraternity hazing to a felony. Named for the student…
Comparing Pittsburgh’s Crime Rates to National Rates
Most of us have been victims of crime at some point in our lives, or at least know someone who has been. Yet our country is a safer place to live than most of us think. In fact, Pittsburgh may…
What You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s Criminal Sentencing Algorithm
Could a computer program determine your fate after a criminal conviction? If the Pennsylvania sentencing commission has its way, computer-assisted sentencing could be just around the corner. While this technology is alluring, there are definite issues the level of foreknowledge…
The Difference Between a Private Criminal Defense Lawyer and a Public Defender
If you need a criminal defense lawyer, you may be wondering whether you should hire a private attorney or work with the public defender’s office. While both can be beneficial, it is often better for your case to have a…
A Warrant Is Necessary to View Cell Phone Data After Supreme Court Ruling
Law enforcement agencies need to get a search warrant before obtaining your cell phone location data, according to a June ruling by the United States Supreme Court. The ruling, which is now binding law in all 50 states, extended people’s…
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania allows you to use marijuana for certain medicinal conditions. However, you cannot simply walk into a dispensary and buy what you think you need. You must abide by a specific process before you can lawfully purchase, possess, and use…
Will Medical Marijuana Use Limit Your Gun Rights?
As the medical marijuana program in Pennsylvania moves forward in 2018, conflicts have arisen between state and federal law regulations involving a difficult issue. The conflict involves whether individuals who use marijuana in the state for authorized medical purposes can…
