Articles

Expert Witness? Who is this person testifying?

Filed under: Criminal Law, Sex Crimes by Contributor @ March 22, 2024

The Expanded Use of Expert Witness Testimony in Pennsylvania Courts Prior to 2012, almost every witness testifying in a criminal matter actually had some involvement in the case.  The witness could’ve been the complainant, police, the accused, a nurse or doctor, or a witness.  Then came section 5920 of Title 42, on June 29, 2012.  […]

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Is SORNA unconstitutional?   Why is the Supreme Court taking so long to decide Torsilieri?

Filed under: Criminal Law, Sex Crimes by Contributor @ March 1, 2024

On May 23, 2023, the constitutionality of SORNA was argued, once again, before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in Commonwealth v. Torsilieri. But we still don’t have a decision from the Court.  What is taking so long?  It’s simple.  The issue is complex and the ramifications affect thousands of Pennsylvanians.  Let’s start by talking about […]

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When can you invoke the Second Amendment to restore your firearms rights?

Filed under: Criminal Law by David Keightly @ December 15, 2023

You’ve heard of “pleading the fifth,” but what about “pleading the second?” After a series of federal court decisions over the past few years interpreting the second amendment, more and more people are challenging existing gun possession laws on the basis that they go too far. Purchase Forms ATF-4473 (federal) and SP4-113 (State) If you’ve […]

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How to know when to surrender your PA driver’s license?

Filed under: Criminal Law, DUI by Steven F. Fairlie @ July 21, 2023

Many clients who suffer a driver’s license suspension ask us for advice regarding when they should surrender their license to PennDOT. Dealing with a driver’s license suspension is stressful. Besides losing the ability to drive, you need to navigate the rules of PennDOT. There is no government body more confusing than PennDOT.  It is impossible […]

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New Felony Clean Slate law proposed in Pennsylvania

Filed under: Criminal Law by Steven F. Fairlie @ September 11, 2022

A brand new proposal in Pennsylvania would make it easy for most people convicted of felony drug charges to have their records erased. House Bill 1826, sponsored by State Representatives Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) and Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland), would expand a 2018 law that provides for lower level misdemeanor charges to be sealed if the person […]

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