Year: 2016
Is a change in Pennsylvania’s heroin policy in the works?
The election featured a great deal of discussion about how to help communities in areas like central Pennsylvania, which are struggling with heroin and prescription painkiller addiction and overdoses. Individuals and families in towns like State College are crying out for a better response to the epidemic from law enforcement...
What will happen if you refuse a breath test in Pennsylvania?
Law enforcement agencies throughout the country place a strong emphasis on curtailing drunk driving. It is no different in Pennsylvania. Anyone who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcohol is making a dangerous choice, both from the perspective of a potential arrest and from the perspective of...
Don’t ruin Thanksgiving with a DUI
Thanksgiving should always be a time for happiness and coming together with friends and family to celebrate. Unfortunately, many people party far too hard over the long weekend, leading to a spike in fatal accidents and DUI arrests. PennDOT announced this week that officers will be paying extra attention for...
Crafting a criminal defense to drunk driving charges
Drunk driving is one of the most common criminal charges in the United States. Each year hundreds of thousands of people are charged with drunk driving throughout the country. But, that doesn’t mean that every case of an arrest for drunk driving will result in a conviction. There are many...
The potential for additional penalties in a probation violation
There are millions of Americans who are currently under court supervision through a probation department due to a criminal conviction. Probation supervision allows those who have been convicted of a crime to, in essence, serve the sentence for that crime while remaining in the community. Criminal justice policy makers have...
Pennsylvania does not treat marijuana as “harmless fun”
As a college student, you have already encountered many new life experiences, and there are more to come. That also means there will be some mistakes. Most people accept that college students should have the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. Unfortunately, the law in Pennsylvania still regards...
Problem solving courts for those facing a criminal charge
When Pennsylvania residents find themselves in the unfortunate situation of facing criminal charges, they may feel like they will be treated like just another arrestee to be processed. At a time when most people would likely feel a bit depressed and would likely be wondering what to do next with...
Who administers the probation and parole system?
Many students and others in State College have probably heard a little about how probation and parole works if one is in the system after conviction for a crime. Most know that the system is administered by probation officers and parole officers. But many in Happy Valley may not know...
This Halloween, don’t let a drug arrest be on scare list
Fall marks the end of summer and is somewhat sad in that sense. On the other hand, this point in October is when ideas run through the heads of adults and children about what they will be for Halloween. Maybe you plan to dress up in costume. If you are...
How tailgating can put you at risk
Football season is going strong. Enjoying the festivities is a long-held tradition and almost inescapable part of the Penn State experience. Despite that, tailgating is one of the easiest ways for underage students to get into some serious trouble. Penn State takes this issue seriously, increasing police presence at games...
Everything new students need to know about underage drinking
School is back in session, and fall semesters come with the promise of exciting events, new adventures and a slew of parties. It’s important to make the most of the college experience and live well, but it is also important to stay safe. Many events will come with an opportunity...