Can You Get a DUI Riding a Bike in Pennsylvania?
DUI charges are most commonly brought against a person in the context of his or her driving a motor vehicle, such as a car, SUV, or truck, while intoxicated. But in Pennsylvania, a person can be charged with a DUI…
Marijuana Decriminalization in Pittsburgh
Since the beginning of 2016, marijuana has been decriminalized in Pittsburgh. Decriminalization is not the same as legalization—it means that while marijuana is still officially illegal, the penalties for possession are reduced to the level of a traffic offense. As…
How Much Jail Time Could You Get for a Drive-By Shooting in Pittsburgh, PA?
Drive-by shootings are a common scenario often associated with gang violence in Pittsburgh. It might seem like legislators would have written some kind of law that addresses this type of shooting. However, despite the prevalence of drive-by shootings, there is…
Criminal Restitution Civil Judgment in Pennsylvania
Did you know that if you’ve been convicted of a crime, you might have to compensate the victim for the financial losses resulting from your conduct? In Pennsylvania, you may face a criminal restitution civil judgment in addition to paying…
The Use of Police Scanners Is Legal in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania
There are no regulations pertaining to the use of police scanners in either Pennsylvania or in Pittsburgh, so they’re effectively legal. In the past, people who wanted to listen to police and emergency service radio transmissions needed to purchase and…
How Is Police Video Footage Handled and Archived?
As you may have noticed, at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, we think that police body cameras and the footage that they collect are one of the most important legal issues facing our country at this moment….
How Is Video Evidence Used in Criminal Cases?
There are many types of evidence that can be used to build a criminal case, but one of the most compelling types of evidence is video. When we can see something with our own eyes, it is usually very convincing….
Sentencing Alternatives and Conditional Dispositions in Pennsylvania Criminal Cases
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, alternative sentences and conditional dispositions (where charges are dropped after fulfilling certain requirements) through the State Intermediate Punishment (SIP) Program, pretrial diversion programs, and other sentencing option programs help reduce recidivism and save…
What Contributes to a Mistrial? … and What Does It Mean for My Case?
While most of us have heard the term “mistrial,” few people really understand what a mistrial means. A mistrial occurs when some error in the trial process makes justice impossible if the proceedings continue. Sometimes this means that the jury…
Trial By Judge or Trial By Jury – Things You Need to Consider
In the United States, every person has the right to a trial by jury when accused of a crime, but that doesn’t mean it is your only option. You can also choose a bench trial, or a trial by judge….
