Why You Shouldn’t Agree to Warrantless Searches
When a police officer pulls us over on the road, or knocks on the door of our home, it’s natural to feel anxious even when we’ve done nothing wrong. We’re conditioned to comply with whatever the officer asks for —…
Preventing Holiday DUI Arrests
The holidays are a festive time. We attend holiday parties with friends and family, and we meet up at bars and restaurants to relax. While it is fine to enjoy a few drinks over the holidays, it is so important…
Rape By Forcible Compulsion Charge Dismissed
Our client was charged with rape by forcible compulsion. The charge is a first-degree felony with a maximum sentence of 20 years incarceration. Our client needed help to avoid a lengthy prison sentence that would forever alter his life, and…
Pennsylvania Child Abuse Law Changes in 2015
Many important changes to child abuse laws have recently become effective, and even more will be effective at the end of the year. Many of these changes came about in response to the Jerry Sandusky scandal in 2011, but some…
Open Container Law: Tailgating & Public Intoxication Charges in Pittsburgh, PA
There is nothing more fun this time of year than tailgating, whether it’s at Heinz Field, Consol Energy Center, or one of our local Pittsburgh college campuses. It’s fun to spend some time with your friends, enjoying good food and…
Civil Forfeiture – Your Money Is Guilty Until Proven Innocent
Police can take your cash, cars, and other assets through civil forfeiture even if you are not charged with any crime. A recent article in the Washington Post brought national attention to the practice of civil forfeiture. Civil forfeiture is…
Warrantless GPS Surveillance Allowed by U.S. Third Circuit Court
A new ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit erodes Fourth Amendment protections for people accused of crimes by upholding the use of warrantless GPS tracking by a police department. The Fourth Amendment protects Americans from…
Does TV Make Us Perceive More Crime?
It seems like every season there is a new crime-solving show on television. With so much fictionalized violence on TV and even more crime reported in the news, it is not difficult to imagine that the depiction of violence may…
What is the Broken Window Theory and How do Pennsylvania Police Abuse It?
Police abuse is a hot topic that is constantly being debated in the news. In recent weeks, due to the Staten Island chokehold death and the Ferguson shooting, police abuse has been on our radars even more. Many people have…
Mandatory Minimums Not Allowed for Certain Charges
As of August 20th, certain crimes where a gun is present, including drug convictions and robberies, will no longer automatically trigger mandatory minimum laws. The Pennsylvania Superior Court has ruled that mandatory minimums for drug convictions involving a firearm are…
