Criminal defense
What Should I Do if I am Arrested in Pennsylvania?
If you get arrested, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In the seemingly endless War on Crime, a high number of arrests is the only measure of victory. As a result, police officers often make arrests when a “go forth and sin no more” warning is...
Is forgetting to renew my car’s registration a crime?
Forgetting to renew your car’s registration in Pennsylvania is a violation of the state’s Vehicle Code, but it is typically treated as a summary offense rather than a criminal act. While it may seem like a minor oversight, driving with expired registration can lead to fines, potential vehicle impoundment and...
How Pennsylvania law addresses organized retail theft
Retail theft has become an increasingly serious and expensive problem throughout the country. Last year, Pennsylvania enacted a new law aimed at cracking down on those who commit organized retail theft offenses. This followed a spike in these crimes by 30% between 2021 and 2022. The law decreased the value...
Substance abuse might be an underlying cause of theft charges
Most people understand that substance abuse might lead to criminal charges. Those struggling with drug addiction, in particular, could be at risk of criminal prosecution. Simply possessing or being under the influence of certain substances can be an adequate reason for criminal charges. People can also face criminal charges if...
Can people fight assault charges by claiming self-defense?
State law makes it illegal to intentionally injure another person, touch them offensively or make them fear for their physical safety. People may end up facing assault charges when another person makes accusations against them after an argument. The decision of third parties to contract police during a conflict can...
When is it legal for police officers to pat people down publicly?
Police officers help enforce the law and investigate criminal activity. Conducting searches is one of the many ways that they gather evidence of criminal activity. When police officers already have strong suspicions about particular individuals, they can go to judges to obtain search warrants. Those intervening in a crime in...
The danger of making calls while in state custody
Almost anyone who has ever seen a TV show or movie that tells a story related to criminal justice knows that those in state custody have the option of making a phone call, at least in most cases. In fact, state policy encourages regular communication between those in jail or...
Important considerations related to parole
People who are convicted of a crime and sentenced to prison will usually want to be released as soon as possible. For some, there’s a possibility of being awarded parole, which enables them to get out of prison before their initial release date. Being granted parole isn’t always easy. The...
Addressing your options when facing identity theft charges
There are various types of measures authorities might take when investigating allegations of identity theft. This could include anything from tracing footprints to IP addresses to tracking transactions via online sources, and if this investigation leads authorities to your doorstep, you might not know how best to handle the situation....
Reckless driving offenses can carry severe ramifications
Facing any type of traffic violation can be a stressful situation, and the presence of similar issues can affect your life in various ways. While such offenses can lead to marks on your driving record and significant monetary fines, things may grow even more daunting if you stand accused of...
How a violation of someone’s Miranda rights can affect a trial
Those accused of criminal activity benefit from certain protections under the law. The right to receive formal notice of specific legal protections is one of the most important protections for those facing investigation or prosecution. An individual’s Miranda rights are an extension of the Fifth Amendment. The Fifth Amendment protects...
Possible repercussions of failing to address a traffic citation
There are a variety of scenarios in which authorities may issue citations for traffic violations. Allegations of excessive speeding and failure to yield are just two examples of issues that could leave you facing a similar outcome. Receiving a citation for similar violations can be stressful, and you might not...
What are some common legal concerns college students might face?
The college years of life are a time in which many individuals may not only seek to cultivate a brighter future, but also to enjoy life while spending time with friends. While you might be excited to watch your child grow and thrive in the college environment, you may also...
What are the elements of burglary?
Pennsylvania residents who find themselves arrested for burglary need to act fast. The charges can quickly work against you. Understanding the elements of burglary might help in your defense. What is burglary? Burglary is a theft crime that involves illegally entering a property or structure with the intention of committing...
How to challenge the results of a breath test
If you have been arrested and charged with DUI in Pennsylvania, it is important to know your rights. Before anything, keep in mind that you have the right to challenge the results of a breath test. A DUI conviction can have serious consequences, so it is important to understand your...
Beware of police interrogation techniques used in Pennsylvania
If you are arrested in Pennsylvania, be prepared for a long and intense interrogation process. Police and prosecutors in this state use several techniques to try and extract a confession from suspects. In some cases, these methods can be quite persuasive – even coercive. If you are not aware of...
The troubles with hair analysis evidence
Compelling evidence could lead to a conviction in a Pennsylvania criminal courtroom. Video footage, blood samples, and eyewitness testimony may come together to paint a picture of guilt. Hair samples might enter into evidence, sometimes swaying guilty verdicts. However, like other examples of forensic evidence, a hair analysis is not...
How underage drinking charges could impact your college student
It happens all too often; your college student was at a party and the police showed up and made multiple underage drinking arrests or citations. You receive a frantic call from your child worrying about their future and the potential ramifications of the incident. Here is some information to help...
Expert witnesses do hurt cases in Pennsylvania
Expert witnesses are a crucial part of criminal defense. They (are expected to) offer an unbiased, expert opinion on the case that can help to sway the jury in favor of the defendant. However, not all expert witnesses are created equal. Some experts are more credible than others, and some...
What is considered admissible evidence?
During a criminal case, both the prosecution and the defense rely on evidence to prove or disprove a claim made by either party. For consideration by the court, the evidence must be reliable, relevant and free from prejudice. Evidence that unfairly creates an unfavorable opinion of the opposing party could...
Penalties for theft and larceny in Pennsylvania
An individual commits theft when they take another person’s property with no intention of returning it. Prosecutions for theft in Pennsylvania range from shoplifting cases involving items worth a few dollars to elaborate real estate schemes involving property worth millions, and the penalties range from small fines to lengthy prison...
What is criminal mischief?
Sometimes what starts as harmless fun can end with criminal charges. Criminal mischief is a common charge that may result from out-of-control parties, pranks and other similar events. What is criminal mischief? The legal definition of criminal mischief A person may be guilty of criminal mischief if one of several...
What is the ARD program?
If you are a drug offender in Pennsylvania and it is your first offense, then you might be able to avoid a criminal conviction. It’s part of a program that the state runs called ARD, or Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition. This program is designed to make life easier for first-time offenders...
Issues with forensic evidence bias
Forensic evidence is often hailed as automatic material evidence in Pennsylvania courts. Forensics are so important that many metropolitan police departments actually have a forensics unit handling difficult criminal investigations. Prosecutors often use forensics evidence even in seemingly minor criminal cases because it may help them arrive at the truth...
Bite evidence is not infallible
Over the years, Pennsylvania residents have heard a lot of stories about wrongful convictions being overturned. It’s easy to imagine a situation where someone was railroaded by hateful people, or one where there was no concrete evidence, and the case was entirely circumstantial. But the truth is that sometimes, these...
Is bite mark evidence credible?
Forensic evidence often serves as the component that eliminates reasonable doubt in a jury’s eyes. In some instances, forensic evidence may exonerate someone falsely accused of a crime. DNA evidence might reveal whether someone did or did not commit a crime. Bite marks may do the same, although “bite evidence”...
Do robbery charges always involve weapons?
Defendants may feel confused about the charges they face in a Pennsylvania criminal court. A person who believes that he or she committed theft may face charges of robbery instead. In reality, most people don’t know the legal distinction between robbery, theft and burglary. The accused might not understand how...
What happens when you file a criminal appeal?
Feeling that the legal repercussions handed to you do not match your charges can feel discouraging and unfair. Even with criminal charges pending against you, you have the right to fair and just treatment. One of your rights allows you to file an appeal if you disagree with the sentence...
What are simple and aggravated assault in PA?
While all states in the US have laws on the books regarding assault, the details can vary in different jurisdictions. In the state of Pennsylvania, there are two varieties of assault: simple and aggravated. The difference between simple and aggravated assault is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony....
Assistance for a student facing a college disciplinary hearing
Students attending Penn State University are expected to conform to the Code of Conduct. If you are a student accused of misconduct or charged with a crime, you must schedule a hearing at the Office of Student Conduct. Serious consequences are possible, but the university allows you legal representation. Understanding...
Pennsylvania’s stance on selling or furnishing alcohol to minors
Pennsylvania takes a strict stance against underage drinking. As a result, it also doles out harsh punishments to adults over 21 who furnish underage persons with alcohol. Some PA residents assume that exceptions apply in certain situations. These assumptions typically land otherwise upstanding citizens in hot water. To prevent costly...
“Study drugs” can create serious problems for students
College students have to contend with rigorous academic demands. Trying to balance school work with extracurricular activities and a social life can be extremely challenging. Students sometimes use stimulants in the hopes of getting an edge. Stimulants can offer a burst of energy to stay up and cram for an...
What are the different kinds of plea bargain?
Plea bargaining is a part of nearly every criminal case. Sometimes it may be a good idea for you to accept a plea bargain, and sometimes it may not be. Plea bargains often benefit both the defendant and the prosecution, although there are situations where it is not advantageous for...
Supporting your claim of self-defense
You certainly never hope to find yourself in a physical altercation with another person; at the same time, however, you recognize that there are situations where a potential threat to your own personal safety (or that of your loved ones) might compel you to act. Many have come to us...
What does inchoate mean?
There are many ways the law categorizes crimes, such as felonies and misdemeanors. Another way to categorize a crime is with the label inchoate. An inchoate offense, according to Cornell Law School, is a crime that leads to another crime. There are three basic inchoate offenses: conspiracy, solicitation and attempt....
What to know about criminal defense
Dealing with a legal matter can always be stressful. It can be even more stressful when the concern has to do with a criminal case. Many people are unaware of what makes up criminal law and what they can expect from their criminal defense attorneys. It is important to know...
Why is it illegal to drive on certain medications?
In Pennsylvania, DUI laws do not only cover issues related to alcohol use. It also covers issues related to illegal and even legal drugs. But why is it illegal to drive on some medications if the medicines are not illegal? Today we will look at the answer to that question....
How criminal charges can affect my child’s future
College students are often experiencing their first real taste of freedom. As they learn to handle independence, they sometimes make mistakes such as experimenting with illegal substances or driving while intoxicated. The minor missteps of youth can sometimes jeopardize their futures. If your child is facing criminal charges, you may...
Does the sex offender registry lower the rate of sex crimes?
The Pennsylvania sex offender registry law was largely well-intended. The idea was that if parents knew about any convicted sex offenders living in their communities, they could take appropriate action to keep their children safe. Instead, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, there is no actual data that proves the law...
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...
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...
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...
PA’s new ‘Clean Slate’ bill makes record sealing easier
We’ve written extensively on this blog about how mistakes that lead to an arrest or conviction can haunt a person for life. It can make it harder to find an apartment, get a job or enroll in college. That is why helping people who’ve served their sentences remain productive members...
Supreme Court: Police need a warrant to track cellphone locations
Citing “the seismic shifts in digital technology” since the last time it considered the issue, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that people have a reasonable expectation that their cellphone’s location data will be private. A reasonable expectation of privacy means that the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against unreasonable searches and...
Running from the police just makes things worse in most cases
When a confidential police informant said that a certain State College man was selling drugs from his residence on Carnegie Drive, the police still had work to do to make their case against him. Tipsters and police informants don’t always provide accurate information and sometimes may be motivated by bias,...
Does your freedom from warrantless search extend to rental cars?
Unfortunately, far too many people in Pennsylvania and across the country are unaware of their right to deny police entry to their home or vehicle without a search warrant signed by a judge. Even if someone asks police to see a warrant, officers respond with questions like, “If you don’t...
Honesty may be nice, but exercise your right to remain silent
You were probably taught as a child that honesty is the best policy. A criminal defense attorney’s take might be that you should never lie to the police but you should always exercise your right to remain silent. Being forthcoming with officers about what laws you have broken might seem...
$50,000 bail in theft of $363? High cash bail keeps people in jail
Recently, a 61-year-old homeless man decided to scrounge what he could from what seems to have been a vacant, repossessed home in Mapleton. Although breaking into bank-owned properties is certainly inadvisable, it makes a certain sense in the man’s situation. After all, the bank will probably discard all the contents....
The problem with police informants
A Penn State student recently learned the hard way how police rely on informants. The student was arrested and charged with several different drug violations after allegedly selling cocaine several times to a police informant. Once police found their informant, they gave that person money, which he or she then...
Defense challenges investigatory bias in Beta Theta Pi case
A preliminary hearing was just held in the Penn State Beta Theta Pi fraternity hazing case. As you may know, a 19-year-old pledge died in 2017 after allegedly undergoing a hazing ritual in which he may have consumed as much as 18 drinks in slightly less than an hour and...
Skip the toll on the PA Turnpike? You could face felony charges
Both ordinary and commercial drivers do it. Based on information collected last summer, more than 10,000 drivers have gotten into the habit of dodging the tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Each of those 10,000 drivers owes $500 or more in unpaid Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls and fees. The worst 100 offenders...
Man charged with felonies after finagling insurance for crash
If you’ve ever driven without proper insurance, you know there’s always a risk. If you get into an accident, you’re going to get caught breaking the law. If you were at fault, you could also get stuck with the cost of repairing your own vehicle and the other person’s vehicle...
Arrests and citations up, total crime down on State Patty’s Day
According to the chief of the State College Police, a great deal of money has been devoted to stopping State Patty’s Day, but to no avail. “This event is still a major problem and unwelcomed in our community,” he said. “The State College Borough and Penn State University will continue...
Probation-violation DUI gets State College doc in bigger trouble
No matter what the underlying reason, being charged with a new offense while on probation only adds to the trouble. A 58-year-old State College podiatrist was just deemed a danger to the public after violating her Clearfield County probation by driving drunk in Centre County. The podiatrist was on probation...
Very drunk man allegedly kicks Penn State officer in the face
A 21 year-old New Jersey man was arrested recently on West College Avenue after he was reported staggering and stumbling while cars whizzed past, just a few feet away. When Penn State police confronted him, he reportedly told them he was “of alcohol” when he meant to say he was...
Philly man charged with possessing gun that may not have been his
Patton Township police arrested a 23-year old Philadelphia man recently after a disorderly conduct call. According to police, a man had pointed a handgun at another man and took some cash from his wallet. The police settled on the Philadelphia man as the suspect. If the Philadelphia man was involved,...
Road rage by passenger sends woman to hospital, man to jail
Often enough, criminal acts are the result of unmanaged anger. We’ve all heard of road rage, where an angry driver overreacts to a stranger’s irritating driving habits. Sometimes the events escalate to the point where the two drivers pull off the road and argue, or even fight. Afterwards, it can...
How long should a defendant be held if they can’t afford bail?
A 25-year-old State College woman is seeking a bail modification because procedures in her case have become complex and time-consuming. The woman, who was charged in connection with a drug-overdose death last year, was originally given straight bail of $150,000, which she could not afford. Now, her case may be...
Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania after Baruch College death
In December 2013, a student pledging for Pi Delta Psi at Baruch College died after enduring violent hazing by members of the fraternity. On a cold, early morning in the Poconos, he was blindfolded, made to wear a backpack weighted with sand, and was tackled and roughed up until he...
Shooting prompts debate over man’s self-defense rights
Pennsylvania has a strong culture of responsible gun ownership. Throughout the state, people use their Second Amendment rights to use firearms to hunt, target shoot and protect their loved ones and property. It is that last item, however, that can court controversy. A trial unfolding in Lehigh County is a...
Man given life without parole as juvenile to be resentenced
In 1987, when Timothy H. of Philipsburg was 15, he ran away from a juvenile detention center. On Christmas Eve of that year, he allegedly shot a man to death. The following June, he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He could now...
Penn. high court: Pulling over to side of road is not suspicious
If you pull over to the shoulder of the interstate, is that automatically suspicious? The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently ruled that it is not. Moreover, the court threw out a drunk driving conviction based on the officer believing it was. The incident occurred on a late evening in June 2013....
Should the police need a warrant to track your cell’s location?
On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about whether police should be required to get a warrant before accessing location records for a suspect’s cellphone. Law enforcement has been gaining access to these records by getting an ordinary court order, which requires a lower standard of evidence than a...
Woman wins a gun, paperwork error gets her charged with a felony
A 46-year old Tyrone woman probably thought she had gotten lucky when she won a drawing for a gun. She had entered the raffle at a Rush Township business, and the prize was a Remington 597 .22 caliber long rifle. She went to pick up the gun in January of...
2 facing felonies, ‘defiant trespassing’ charge for bar break-in
Two young men have been charged with felony burglary and several misdemeanor charges after allegedly breaking into The Saloon bar on Hiester Street early Sunday. The misdemeanor charges included theft, possession of controlled substances and “defiant trespassing,” which involves continuing to trespass after being given notice to leave. According to...
Pennsylvania government highlighting the ‘Pathway to Pardons’
When people think of pardons, they often think about the president or a governor pardoning someone facing the death penalty or some other serious offense. People don’t often think about the millions of people out there – in Pennsylvania and across the country – who spend every day dealing with...
2 more Penn State fraternities suspended due to alcohol violations
University officials announced over the weekend that two more fraternities will be suspended. That brings the total to six fraternities suspended this year. The university suspended three others in 2015. The main complaint against both Delta Upsilon and Pi Lambda Phi are that they served alcohol at events where underage...
Does the government have access to your emails?
If you’ve ever wondered whether the U.S. Department of Justice has asked Microsoft or Google for your emails, you’re probably still wondering. That’s because the DOJ often issues gag orders that prevent your email service from letting you know you’re under investigation. Those gag orders, which prevent companies from talking...
Alpha Chi Rho charged with furnishing alcohol to 2 underage women
After the hazing-related death of a 19-year-old Beta Theta Pi pledge in February, Penn State outlined certain changes it expected to see in fraternity life. One of those changes was stricter enforcement of underage drinking laws. “Failure by the Greek-letter organizations to effectively prevent underage consumption and excessive drinking in...
Ten students arrested after fraternity pledge’s death
Binge drinking on college campuses is still a problem, especially in the context of fraternity hazing rituals that involve excessive drinking as “punishments” for pledges. Not only can these result in injuries, some college students can lose their lives. Recently ten students from Louisiana State University were arrested on misdemeanor...
Should people lose their driver’s licenses for unpaid court debt?
According to the Legal Aid Justice Center, 43 states and the District of Columbia have policies allowing or requiring courts to suspend the driver’s licenses of people who fail to pay fines. In all but four states, this can be done with no consideration of whether the person has willfully...
Why you need to remember your right to remain silent
A run-in with the police is almost never a pleasant experience. Whether you are the one being arrested, or police just want to ask you a few questions, speaking with police can make most people nervous. This is especially true for young adults like Penn State students, many of whom...
Bank manager’s concern over check results in local man’s arrest
In the digital age, you might have wondered whether anyone in the banking industry is paying attention to small cues that something just isn’t right with a check. In the old days, the signature might be matched to a sample before funds were released. In today’s world, it’s easy to...
Judge dismisses most serious charges in PSU frat hazing death
People were shocked earlier this month when a Centre County judge dismissed nearly all of the charges pertaining to the death of a Beta Theta Pi fraternity pledge at Penn State University. In all, 18 fraternity members faced criminal charges ranging from involuntary manslaughter to tampering in the death of...
2 men charged with selling fake Pennsylvania driver’s licenses
Two men, one a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation employee, are facing federal charges after selling driver’s licenses based on false identity documents. The DOT employee worked as a driver’s license examiner and the second man acted as a middleman between clients and the license examiner. A 28-page indictment was recently...
Appeals court: Phone search warrant must seek specific evidence
When police ask a judge for a search warrant, they are required to explain why they have probable cause to search the person or location in question. The Constitution requires it. To justify a search of someone’s residence, for example, it’s not enough that the defendant is suspected of a...
DOJ forensic science group to set standards for testimony
In 2015, the Department of Justice initiated an effort to review federal standards for forensic evidence and testimony. The move was in response to FBI revelations that its microscopic hair analysis unit had overstated the scientific certainty of their evidence in over 90 percent of cases the agency reviewed. The...
A new school year begins at PSU: Keep your record clean
The fall semester is only a few weeks away at Penn State University, along with Penn Tech, Bucknell and Lock Haven. Soon, thousands and thousands of college freshmen will flood the area, anxious to experience their first brush with independence from their parents. For some, the adjustment is a smooth...
Thwarting reform efforts, Sessions increases civil forfeiture
In a move former attorney general Eric Holder called “another extremist action,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced on Monday that he plans to retrench an old policy on civil forfeiture. In a speech before the National Association of District Attorneys, Sessions urged prosecutors to “develop policies to increase forfeitures” because...
Crime labs are not infallible
While there are no known issues here in Centre County, Pennsylvania, news reports from across the country of faulty procedures, cover-ups and dishonest and incompetent employees in crime labs should be enough to make any person arrested based on forensic evidence nervous. While TV shows have made the work of...
Preliminary hearing continues in Penn State fraternity death case
Penn State’s Beta Theta Pi fraternity and 16 members are challenging the case against them in a preliminary hearing on the February hazing death of a pledge. According to a police detective testifying at the hearing, the 19-year-old pledge drank a dangerous amount of alcohol before falling down a set...
Pennsylvania assault: What exactly is that?
I never even touched him, so I know I didn’t commit assault. Are you sure about that? “Assault” is one of those criminal law terms — admittedly, there are others, as well — that can be a bit elusive and even downright slippery when it comes to the question of...
Undermining justice and logic: judge on mandatory minimums
“[O]ppressively harsh, even draconian” is the way we termed in a recent blog post many criminal sentencing outcomes dependent on so-called “mandatory minimum” guidelines. Those rules — which can materially limit a court’s discretion in select cases — often yield, as we note in our May 22 post, “lengthy lockups...
Instructive tale? Tiger Woods gets a bit of adverse press
Doesn’t it sometimes seem to be the case that top-tier celebrities seem to be akin to fantasy figures, with tabloid-laden lives that resemble narratives grounded in fiction rather than reality? You can take your pick of high-profile figures to test that point. Tiger Woods would seem to serve well enough...
Don’t downplay a seemingly minor traffic or criminal offense
Sure, most young people duly appreciate — and quickly — the need to promptly secure effective legal counsel when they are targeted by law enforcers who allege their involvement in a serious criminal matter. That same level of awareness and dispatch is often far less on display, though, concerning a...
How do grand juries work in Pennsylvania?
The filing of charges against several members of Penn State’s Beta Theta Pi fraternity earlier this month again highlighted the role that grand juries often play in the criminal justice system. Shrouded in secrecy, most people do not understand what a grand jury does or how proceedings work until they...
PSU fatal hazing case takes material step forward
It likely came as little surprise late last week to members of the student body and other individuals intimately involved with PSU that somber developments surfaced regarding the hazing-related death of a would-be fraternity brother during a so-called “bid acceptance night” this past February. The pledge — a PSU sophomore...
Do I qualify for an expungement?
By some estimates, one in three adults in the United States has a criminal record. For many people, these are for low-level offenses like marijuana possession, disorderly conduct or DUI. Unfortunately, that one-time mistake can stain a person’s record for decades. For some people, that can make it hard to...
Theft offenses can bring surprisingly heavy penalties
Although the term “theft” can be broadly construed as an umbrella-type depiction embracing a number of unlawful acts, it generally conveys a situation where an individual has taken property from another person or company without consent and intends to personally profit from that taking. In some instances, a theft —...
What is PSU’s Office of Student Conduct?
One thing we certainly know from a deep well of personal experience and strong legal advocacy on behalf of students is that our representation often has both immediate and longer-term effects. Understandably, many students at PSU and other area colleges and universities are most intimately concerned with the “what’s next”...
Arrests: An annual byproduct of State Patty’s Day
The now relatively long-tenured period of mass revelry that marks the annual State Patty’s weekend (since 2007) for students, other local State College residents and an increasingly growing number of participants incoming from other parts of Pennsylvania and adjoining states was its usual eventful self this year. That is, people...
Asset forfeiture and the rights of the state to take your property
As more lawmakers and activists talk about reforms to the criminal justice system, one of the topics that always comes up is asset forfeiture. This little understood concept is one of the most powerful tools that the federal government and Pennsylvania have at their disposal; it is also a power...
Former Penn State All-American to face assault charges
Football fans in State College were treated to an amazing season from the Penn State squad – a season that ultimately ended in a heartbreaking defeat to USC in the Rose Bowl. But, nonetheless, it was a season that almost saw Penn State among the final four teams to advance...
Taking the right approach to your criminal defense strategy
No Pennsylvania resident wants to be arrested and charged with a crime. But, the reality is that this happens every day. People in Pennsylvania can face misdemeanor charges, like driving while intoxicated or drug possession charges, or they can face more serious felony charges, such as battery charges, burglary charges...
PSU student demographic: young, hopeful, vulnerable
If you perchance happen to be a PSU student, you’re undoubtedly a unique individual possessed of curiosity, a passion for learning and excitement for the future. Candidly, many older adults envy you for those traits and deeply respect your drive and aspirations (with your parents, of course, thinking about such...
Can I appeal my conviction?
A conviction is a scary thing. Your mind will likely flood with questions about what the future holds now. Will you go to jail? Will you lose your job? What will happen to your record and reputation? The first thing to do is take a deep breath and remember that...
Understanding summary violations in Pennsylvania
In addition to misdemeanor and felony charges, Pennsylvania also has a category of offenses known as “summary offenses.” These are less serious criminal offenses. However, a conviction could still mean spending up to 90 days in jail and paying a $300 fine. For college students, having to miss a significant...
What should Pennsylvanians know about plea negotiations?
Arrests occur every day in Pennsylvania. But, not every arrest results in a conviction. Some arrestees are able to successfully challenge the legality of their arrest, while others may be truly innocent of the crimes charged. However, many arrests will leave the defendants looking at all options, and in many...
Understanding Pennsylvania’s assault laws
Students getting back into the swing of things for the spring semester at Penn State also means plenty of late nights spent partying at campus bars. For some students, excessive alcohol consumption also means a loss of good judgment. If someone looks at you the wrong way, bumps in to...
I have a clean record. What can I do to keep it that way?
Everyone makes mistakes. For some college students, however, a mistake or an attempt at “harmless fun” could have serious effects on your future. Just one misdemeanor criminal conviction or arrest tied to your name could make it hard to find a job once you graduate. It could mean being unable...
When celebrating big wins can turn into criminal charges
Every year, there are news reports across the country of overzealous college students taking to the streets to celebrate a big win by their school in football or basketball. It was no different recently at Penn State, when the Nittany Lions won the Big 10 football championship game. While campus...
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...