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…
Law Enforcement in Pennsylvania Urged To Use New Eyewitness Identification Practices
In the criminal court process, eyewitness identification and testimony can play a very large role in the outcome, but recent studies have pointed out that this process is not as reliable as originally thought. In fact, the misidentification of persons…
Lawyer Matt Ness Meets Supreme Court Justice
Lawyer Matt Ness of Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC recently had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and speak with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Ness earned admission to the U.S. Supreme Court bar this spring. This admission…
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…
How Can I Remove a DUI from Criminal Record in Pennsylvania?
Anyone with a DUI conviction who’s been refused a job, housing option, or professional license knows the pain of having a DUI offense on a criminal record. Fortunately, Pennsylvania allows individuals to erase parts of their criminal record in a…
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…
