Articles

Pennsylvania Lawsuits Involving Defective Leaking Stucco Homes

Filed under: Litigation Tags: by Steven F. Fairlie @ August 10, 2011

You purchase your dream stucco-clad home from a “reputable builder”. Everything goes according to plan and you and your family move in to finally enjoy the fruits of your labor. However, as time passes your dream home quickly turns into a nightmare. Perhaps it started with one leaky window or skylight.  Then you saw scaffolding […]

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Can I Spank My Children, Legally?

Filed under: Criminal Law Tags: by Steven F. Fairlie @ August 2, 2011

Most Americans believe spanking has its place.  According to a recent ABCNEWS poll the public, by a 2-1 margin, approves of spanking children in principle. But what are the laws surrounding this issue? Generally, when you strike another you can be liable for assault and battery (among other offenses). However, there are a few exceptions […]

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Pennsylvania Superior Court Banishes Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claims to PCRA only

Filed under: Criminal Law, News Tags: by Steven F. Fairlie @ July 25, 2011

The Pennsylvania Superior Court has dramatically limited the manner of attacking criminal convictions for ineffective assistance of counsel. Whereas a clear cut case of ineffective assistance of counsel could previously be litigated on direct appeal (so long as a record had been made) even after Commonwealth v. Grant, it now must await PCRA review. This […]

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How to show respect for the Court

Filed under: Criminal Law, DUI Tags: by Steven F. Fairlie @ July 18, 2011

Many criminal defendants ask me how they should act in Court. I found a short succinct video that teaches everything you need to know about how to handle yourself in court: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-vEZL0Q_dI

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Use of Deadly Force in Pennsylvania Expanded Beyond the Confines of Your “Castle”

Filed under: Criminal Law, Death Penalty Cases Tags: by Steven F. Fairlie @ July 14, 2011

Use of Deadly Force in Pennsylvania Expanded Beyond the Confines of Your “Castle” In Pennsylvania, there is a limited right to self-defense when you are attacked. The use of force in self-defense is justifiable when an individual believes it is necessary to protect himself against force from another person. However, in order to be justifiable, […]

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