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…
What is Theft by Unlawful Taking?
Under Pennsylvania law, theft by unlawful taking is a criminal offense that is defined based on the kind of property involved. The manner in which the theft was committed and the value of the property allegedly stolen influences the kind…
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….
Can An Underage DUI Affect Financial Aid?
For those under the age of 21, being convicted of a DUI can have dire consequences. While jail time is not typically assigned for an underage DUI, the criminal penalties are still serious. They often include being placed in a…
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,…
