Can Cell Phone Video Be Used as Evidence in Court in Pennsylvania?
It is very common for people to take their phones out and photograph or film exciting things in their daily lives. If you are witnessing a crime, it is understandable that you may begin recording the incident on your cell…
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…
Can I Still be Charged with a Marijuana Crime if Recreational Marijuana is Legal in Pennsylvania?
Recreational marijuana has been decriminalized in several districts within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. While technically illegal, the possession of small amounts of cannabis in some areas is not pursued criminally. If you are caught, you can expect a small fine….
Pennsylvania Governor Signs Bill that Could Seal Some Criminal Records
It just got easier to seal criminal records in Pennsylvania. Governor Wolf recently signed into law House Bill 1419, also known as the Clean Slate Act, which automatically seals the record of certain offenses if the individual does not re-offend…
Pittsburgh’s Mayor Believes PA Marijuana Legalization Is Inevitable
Full marijuana legalization in PA could soon be a reality. After the Commonwealth authorized the use of cannabis for medical purposes in 2016, more and more legislators are warming up to the idea for legalizing the sale and use of…
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…
New Opioid Legislation Approved by the House
This past June, the United States House of Representatives passed opioid legislation to combat a crisis that is tearing apart communities from coast to coast. The package of bills called the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment…
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…
Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC Announces 2017-2018 Scholarship Winner
Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC recently completed the first round of our annual scholarship. We had a hugely successful round and received many applications from impassioned students all over the United States. With the many applications we…
Violent Crime Rates Drop in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has announced that the city has seen a drop in violent crimes over the last year. While the mayor recognizes that this decrease is a result of the hard work of many, the city does attribute…
