Is Surveillance Footage Admissible in Court in Pennsylvania?
If you ever watch the news, you have probably caught a glimpse of how surveillance camera footage can be used to catch criminals and potentially during trials. This type of video seems to be most common for burglary and robbery…
Breathalyzers and Field Sobriety Tests at DUI Checkpoints
In recent years, law enforcement has made a concerted effort to crack down on drunk driving. A main component of this campaign is DUI checkpoints, or areas that officers use to catch drunk drivers. In most cases, these checkpoints are…
What to Do if Charged With Selling Drugs to Minors in Pennsylvania
Since the war on drugs was declared in 1971, drug crimes have received punishments that are normally assigned for serious felonies. This is especially true for specialized drug crimes, such as selling drugs to minors and drug crimes that take…
Some First Time Offenders Now Required to Use Ignition Interlock Device in Pennsylvania
States are implementing more strategies to address the issue of drunk driving, which include different kinds of penalties. In 2016, Pennsylvania enacted Senate Bill 290, which will require all Pennsylvania residents who are repeat DUI offenders to have an ignition…
Are Too Many People Being Sent to Allegheny County Jail?
Incarceration rates have risen to unsustainable levels across the United States, and it seems that Allegheny County is not exempt from this trend. According to a news story published last November, the incarceration rate in Allegheny County Jail is rising…
Strangulation Now a Standalone Offense
October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Pennsylvania legislatures proved that they are not only aware of the problem, but they are trying to protect victims from further abuse. On October 26, 2016, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law…
Violent Social Media Posts Can be a Felony Under Federal Statute 18 U.S. Code §875(c)
America is well-known for its constitutional protection of free speech. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech….” However, your right to say and do as you please remains restricted….
DUI When Your BAC Is Below The Legal Limit
Having a few too many drinks and getting behind the wheel is the typical DUI scenario and most people probably equate a DUI with driving when your blood alcohol content is at 0.08 percent or more. But under Pennsylvania law,…
Will a DUI Show Up on a Background Check?
Background checks are relatively common for new jobs, going to school, and apartment rentals. You might not experience one often, but you can be sure that at some point in your life, someone will look into your criminal history. If…
Can Texting While Driving Lead to a Murder Charge in Pennsylvania
Distracted driving in Pennsylvania can have serious negative repercussions. Whether a driver is found to be texting while driving, calling a friend, or looking up directions on his or her cellphone, the penalties for distracted driving are severe and can…
