The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s recent landmark decision in Commonwealth v. Hlubin will change the way DUI checkpoints operate in Pennsylvania. Hlubin’s case concerns the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, 53 Pa.C.S. §§ 2301–2317 (the “ICA”), and the Municipal Police Jurisdiction Act, 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 8951–8954 (“MPJA”). On September 29, 2013, Molly Hlubin was stopped at a sobriety […]
Articles
Article Categories
Warrantless Search of Cellphone Left in Public Place Constitutional even if You Plan to Come Back for Phone
The Pennsylvania Superior Court has affirmed the Delaware County trial court’s denial of Vincent Kane’s Motion to Suppress evidence obtained from his cell phone without a warrant. The decision will have a trickle down effect on other cases where evidence is obtained without a warrant. The decision in Commonwealth v. Kane stems from an incident […]
PA Supreme Court: No subsequent prosecution for greater offense after convicted in traffic court
On April 26th, 2019, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that prosecutors may no longer prosecute defendants in Municipal Court for more serious crimes, such as DUI, separately after they have been adjudicated in Traffic Court for offenses stemming from the same incident. Practically, this ruling means if you were already adjudicated on a traffic crime, […]
PA Legislature Looks to Remove Statute of Limitations for Child Sex Crimes
The Judiciary Committee of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has voted to move two pieces of legislation concerning victims of sexual assault, HB 962 (criminal statute of limitations) and HB 963 (civil statute of limitations), to a vote by the House. The House Bills together are called the Pennsylvania Hidden Predator Act. The House overwhelmingly […]
Liz Lippy again recognized (implicitly) as a trial advocacy “beast”
https://www.nita.org/blogs/opening-statement-v-argument-where-is-the-line-part-two-of-two
