Keeping prisons running is expensive and funded solely by taxpayer dollars. But do you know exactly how much it costs to keep Pennsylvania’s prisons running? The Vera Institute of Justice conducted a study of the costs to run prisons in 2010 and determined that the total cost of all prisons in Pennsylvania is $2.1 billion […]
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Superior Court Clarifies Xander for DUI Refusal Cases
On December 16, the Superior Court decided Commonwealth v. Olsen, holding that in order for a DUI chemical test refusal to trigger enhanced penalties, the arresting offer must have at least begun or attempted to read the implied consent form, DL-26, to the defendant. Olsen clarified the rule set forth in Commonwealth v. Xander in […]
Norristown Lawyer Greg Noonan Arrested and Jailed on Drug Charges
Gregory Noonan, Esq., a 53 year-old Norristown lawyer, was arrested yesterday on drug charges. Noonan allegedly sold 179 Oxycodone pills directly to an undercover Philadelphia police officer on November 23, and again yesterday allegedly sold 180 30-milligram pills to the officer for $3,250. Both sales were reportedly in his car outside of his office. Noonan […]
Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law Declared Unconstitutional
On December 16, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in Commonwealth v. Neiman declared Act 152 of 2004, which significantly amended Megan’s Law, to be unconstitutional, as violating the “single subject” rule of Article III, Section 3 of the Pennsylvania Constitution. Article III, Section 3 requires that all acts passed by the legislature must relate to […]
SORNA Registration Requirement Does Not Apply To Megan’s Law Plea Bargains
Today the Superior Court unanimously ruled in Commonwealth v. Hainesworth that sex offenders who entered into plea agreements before SORNA in order to avoid Megan’s Law sex offender registration requirements cannot have a registration requirement imposed on them despite the retroactivity of SORNA. In 2009, when Megan’s Law was in effect, Deono Hainesworth entered into […]
