Year: 2019
Are field sobriety tests really accurate?
Pennsylvania drivers stopped by law enforcement officers and eventually suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol may commonly be asked to participate in a series of tests before their blood alcohol content is measured via any chemical means. These initial activities, field sobriety tests, theoretically provide support to officers...
Can you get a DUI for sleeping it off in your car?
There are several reasons you might fall asleep in your car after a night of drinking in Pennsylvania. You may realize before you start your car that you are too impaired to drive. You may begin to drive, realize you are intoxicated, and so pull over to sleep it off....
Preparing for employment after your drug conviction
When you have been convicted of a drug-related crime in Pennsylvania, your future may be uncertain as you learn how your actions will impact your effort to maintain relationships, build trust in others and qualify for a job. At Decker Bradburn Attorneys at Law, we see the good in everyone...
Holidays see an increase in drunk driving
The winter months are typically packed full of holidays and special events, not to mention several weeks of time off school for college students. The chance to see family and friends, combined with free time, makes this a highly anticipated time of year. However, it also has one of the...
DUI charges can be especially hard due to one’s reputation
When people are charged with DUI, they may be especially worried about the fallout of the case. Some drivers may not be very concerned about their reputation and how these charges will affect their life currently and in the future. For others, however, the repercussions can be incredibly overwhelming. For...
Understanding Pennsylvania’s self-defense laws
Many in State College may choose to view a claim of self-defense in response to criminal accusations with a certain degree of skepticism. This likely comes from the assumption that if someone does indeed engage in a violent act (or even a fatal act) that there must have been some...
What are the consequences of parole violations?
If you are a Pennsylvania resident convicted of a crime, you may serve a specific amount of time in prison and then return to society under the conditions of parole. While the exact nature of your parole may depend on the details of your case and conviction, there are several...
Is it a myth that eyewitness testimony is solid evidence?
If you have been accused of committing a crime in Pennsylvania and there is an eyewitness who claims to have seen you commit the crime, you may be in serious distress. While in the past law enforcement officials and prosecutors have heavily relied on eyewitnesses, the Association for Psychological Science...
What is intermediate punishment?
It is never easy to go into a courtroom and have a judge or jury decide your fate. However, you should be aware that going to jail is not the only possible outcome. There are alternative punishments that could allow you to maintain your freedom while also learning from your...
What have been the effects of consolidating the state police barracks?
Centre County recently underwent a consolidation of its state police barracks. According to the Centre Daily Times, two previous state police stations, one in Rockview and one in Philipsburg, became one station. The county now has only one state police location, which is in Benner Township. This change has brought...
What is the Good Samaritan law?
In the US, the opioid epidemic continues and Pennsylvania is no exception. In many states, policymakers face uncertainty on how to curb the epidemic and reduce the overdose rates. The Good Samaritan law is among the attempts at reducing overdoses. The NCSL reports that Pennsylvania is one of 40 states...
What should I know about ignition interlock devices?
One of the many potential consequences of being served a DUI in the state of Pennsylvania is the requirement of an ignition interlock device. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, individuals who are repeat DUI offenders, refuse chemical testing, or those who receive a first-time DUI with very high...
The downsides of requiring students to disclose criminal history
If you or your child is filling out college applications in Pennsylvania, you may notice there is a section asking about criminal history. This is fairly common these days. Schools want to know as much as possible about students, but having to disclose criminal history on your application may seem...
Financial challenges resulting from drug charges
When someone is charged with an offense that involves drugs, there are many different consequences they may lose sleep about. From time behind bars to an inability to continue their college education, these cases are very serious and can turn someone’s life upside down in many ways. In this post,...
Magic mushrooms still transport you to Pennsylvania prisons (2024 update)
Americans everywhere are wondering how psilocybin mushrooms legality may change across the country after Denver, Colorado became the first and only city in the United States to decriminalize the drug. But, here’s why it’s important to remember the consequences of using, growing, possessing, buying or selling these drugs in Pennsylvania....
Driving while hungover can be just as dangerous
Just about everyone has been there at some point: you spent the night partying at a friend’s place and decided to crash there. Now the sun is up, and you feel like you’ve been hit by a bus. You drink some water, maybe take some painkillers to dull your hangover,...